That was very common with vehicles that came with copper spark plugs when you put platinum plugs in them. It happened to me on a Ford Escort that ran fine on a worn set of copper plugs, and like garbage with brand new Bosch platinum plugs. The resistance and spark energy is different and the ecu can't compensate enough to cover the difference.
Spark Plugs - Looking for opinions
- Thread starter WylieCoyote
- Start date
That was very common with vehicles that came with copper spark plugs when you put platinum plugs in them. It happened to me on a Ford Escort that ran fine on a worn set of copper plugs, and like garbage with brand new Bosch platinum plugs. The resistance and spark energy is different and the ecu can't compensate enough to cover the difference.
What type of plugs came with the car?
Probably Motorcraft which will be either Autolite or Champion
I know that, but were they copper, single platinum, double platinum, iridium, something else???
Good example of why I posted this question. I've heard (but never experienced) in the past that some engines run better on some plugs. Thanks!
I won't know until I pull one. Am just waiting for the opportunity to pull them all at the same time, which involves removing the intake.
In no order - NGK, Denso, Motorcraft. The first two probably made the Motorcraft plugs. I’m actually running NGK G-Powers in two trucks. They seem to work fine.
Ford still uses double platinum or iridium/platinum. No need for ruthenium. Stick with Motorcraft, IMO.
Ford still uses double platinum or iridium/platinum. No need for ruthenium. Stick with Motorcraft, IMO.
According to page 277 of the 2017 Mustang owners manual the OE plug on the 3.7L V6 is a double platinum Motorcraft SP520. So I'd suggest sticking with a double platinum plug made by your favorite spark plug manufacturer.
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Haha yeah same here. Changed the plugs in our 2001 Jeep Cherokee with some NGK. It was the same material type I can’t remember if it came with copper or platinum originally but it was the same type the original ones were (I believe they were copper because we were changing them at around 60,000 because it needed them) and we took the OE Champion plugs out and put the NGK in man that thing hated them. So since I was about 8 at the time I didn’t know anything about plugs, just how to change them so my dad took it to his mechanic at the time and the mechanic pulled the NGK out and said here is your problem these engines will only run on Champion plugs. Slapped 6 new Champion plugs in and fixed. Not that it’s hard to change plugs in but that was a good learning experience for me. It was actually doing those spark plugs that made me say I want to be a mechanic when I grow up and here I am. Now not all engines will do that but I’ve seen it more than once.
Autolite Iridium
I always use OEM or NGK. If it’s a simple procedure to replace them, I get the standard coppers, but if they are a pain, then I go w longest lasting plugs
We really need a separate spark plug forum or at least one dealing with the ignition system.
If you zoom in on the second RockAuto photo of the Motorcraft, you can see it stamped "R6BP13" (part of one of the numbers listed for the NGK Laser Platinum) and "Japan." That suggests the Motorcraft might be an NGK double platinum for less than half the cost. I think the factory ACDelco plugs in my Silverado were NGK Laser Platinums.
VW and Audi disagrees. They have used double platinum plugs (NGK Laser Platinum) with their boosted engines for a number of years, before recently going with NGK Laser Iridiums
NGK ruthenium doesn't come with a standard tip. The boosted applications comes with the Platinum Square Electrode, which is basically a platinum bar welded to the the ground electrode
Iridiums have either a "Performance" ground electrode (tapered and U-groove (Denso I-series, NGK Iridium IX doesn't have the "U-groove")) or standard electrode with platinum wear disc (Denso Iridium tough or NGK Laser Iridiums).
Which Bosch platinums from which timeframe?
Back in the day, when Bosch bragged about the full platinum electrode construction with the insulator going all the way to the tip of the platinum electrode?
Or the later ones, with the copper-nickel core with the platinum tip welded to it?
DIY guys have a real hardon for NGK.
if it’s gapped properly chances are you’ll be fine with literally anything on the market, including counterfeit NGK
if it’s gapped properly chances are you’ll be fine with literally anything on the market, including counterfeit NGK
At what boost level, and they have changed now that's interesting. The ruthenium tip is only slightly modified from the standard tip. We don't have the options over here that you do but from what has been tested the standard tip still remains the best under high boost. I use factory Ford (Motorcraft) LPG iridium with standard tip and high boost, have changed out Bosch platinum's before, they would breakdown under boost. Also, I'm not talking port injection in general. Like I said in my first post any will be fine with standard car.
stock engine (VW 2.0T, EA113 and 1st gen EA888) is about 9 psi. Add ECU retune, and that's about 18 psi of boost, and works fine on double platinum plugs
The iridium and ruthenium tip comes in one diameter from NGK, .6mm diameter, for the center electrode vs NGK platinums having a 1mm diameter piece of platinum welded to the copper-nickel core (which works fine under boost )
If you want a smaller diameter iridium tip, then Denso clocks in at .4mm diameter tip for the center electrode
I am talking about the electrode not the tip sorry my fault some of us in Oz call that the tip as well. I would try a standard Iridium at 18psi. But, like I said I'm not talking about port injection in general (I don't know about the NGK's but the Bosch platinum's don't work perfectly in standard EFI engines in most Australian cars over here with high boost). Iridium and ruthenium seem to give the strongest spark overall and fuel economy to some extent. Its not about boost but HP as well, trying to supply spark at 600HP+ on factory coils with anything except for 'copper or iridium' doesn't seem to work as well.
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The Autolite XP Iridiums are the best bang for the buck followed by Denso TT's. Those would be my choice.
I don't and never have bought into the "OEM only" mind set. The OEM's such as AC DELCO, motorcraft etc don't make parts so you're buying a rebranded product and paying more. I've used all sorts of Autolites, Champions, NGK, Denso etc and never any issues. The only plug I ever had issues with were Bosch and I will not use them anymore - and I gave them multiple tries over the years.
I don't and never have bought into the "OEM only" mind set. The OEM's such as AC DELCO, motorcraft etc don't make parts so you're buying a rebranded product and paying more. I've used all sorts of Autolites, Champions, NGK, Denso etc and never any issues. The only plug I ever had issues with were Bosch and I will not use them anymore - and I gave them multiple tries over the years.
