Spark plugs

[buck91]

Now let me say, I've never been a "snake oil" type of guy, though I do enjoy a gimmicky gadget on occasion. I am currently rehabbing a Craftsman single stage snow blower and was curious if people see any benefit from the fancy iridium plugs of something like the E3? Primarily would want to see benefits in smooth running and power output and it'll start fairly easily.

I already know my answer to the question but just curious if anybody has a differing opinion!

 

[spasm3]

I've always thought the differences ( with small engines) in spark plugs were most noticeable in starting. I've never noticed a difference in power. Uusally it will run fine even with the electrodes burned off, but starting it is another matter.

 

[Panzerman]

I bought one of the E3 plugs for a Polaris 250 Two stroke quad and it really did seem to start easier and run better. I bought 4 more and put them in other quads and it seemed to be hit and miss. I know when they die, they die, there is no cleaning them up, like a regular plug in a fouled two stroke. I probably have to say they no better than if you bought a higher priced NGK such as a V Power. I probably wouldn't buy more, unless I see them on clearance. Remember the "Spitfire" plugs. Lots of rumors about them, burning so hot, they blew thru pistons. I don't believe it and never saw it.

 

[CharBaby]

I've used the E3 in a 6.5 hp Briggs and it ran fine-to slightly better than the old plug that I removed. But, any new plug would have probably done the same thing but, I had no comparison to make except from OLD to NEW!

I also have had the SplitFire Plugs in my '80 Firebird FORMULA since about '95 and I do like'em.

My BIL, ownes his own outboard repair/rebuild shop, swears by the Splitfire Plugs especially for troling on the lake. That an MMO! He's been working on outboards since the 60's

 

[Spazdog]

My small engines haven't been particular.

My Chonda Champion uses a Bosch Super. Mainly because the Bosch catalog was the only one that had a crossover for the OE Nanjing Huade plug.

The only times I ever had a problem with spark plugs were with my Kawasaki motorcycle and Suzuki car.

I tried Autolites in the Kawi. My former boss convinced me that sparkplugs were sparkplugs and it didn't matter so I went with the .79 cent ( sale at the time) Autolites. It cut out, hesitated and just wouldn't run right. NGKs back in and it was cured.

The AC rep came in and comp'd me a set of Rapidfires for my Suzuki Swift to encourage me to hock his wares. (AC Rapidfire=fluted tapered center electrode) After installation, my 'Zook would fire up faster than any Denso fuel/air management car ever. Just bump the key forward for a split second and it would run. But for some reason that I have yet to figure out, the more throttle you gave it, the less power it had. Like someone stuffed the intake full of red rags. New set of Densos and it was fine. It makes no sense that a car would start and idle that well but not run.

I used all kinds of gimmick plugs working at Western Auto. Most didn't do anything at all. No better/ no worse than just plain cheap Autolite/AC/Champion. I did like the Champion Gold and Truck plugs. They made some good quality plugs but were hard to sell because of the perceived quality problems with Champion.

 

[Doog]

I just buy a stock plug and replace it every other season. Never an issue.

 

[Errtt]

Couple motorcycles started much faster/easier in cold winter 1st starts using Iridium. One had to re-start most times and the Iridium eliminated that, and it (from cold start) would idle much smoother.

Then take those HF gens with the chinese plugs... anything else is a upgrade.

 

[mrsilv04]

I have a Champion "EZ Start" plug in my snowblower, mainly because it was the only plug that W*M had in the size that I needed.

I didn't care if it was an "EZ Start" or not, because it was all of $2.67. But, the Tecumseh engine is a one pull start with it... warm, cold, or after sitting all summer.

 

[Woody71]

I use NGK in all my OPE. Cheap, high quality plugs and haven't had any starting issues.

 

[Bror Jace]

I resurrected a different spark plug thread and asked a similar question. From that thread, this was my Take:

I decided to give [the E3 plug] a detailed visual inspection, especially the electrode. Something about it didn't look very precise.

Further inspection showed that the electrode was off-center on most of the plugs I examined (about a dozen, total) consistently enough that I thought it might be a "feature" but I did occasionally find one that appeared to be properly centered ... whatever that means on such a strange design.

I was pretty shocked that something that needs to be so precise, and supposedly uses state-of the-art technology, seems to have been assembled so carelessly.

Very off-putting."

 

[SteveSRT8]

Think cheap.

Now add gimmicky.

Now to maximize profits assemble it cheaply also.

There ya go! E3 is complete baloney, like "Fire Injectors" of JC Whitney fame...

 

[cronk]

I usually just run NGK, Champion or AC Delco.
I do run the AC Delco Rapidfires in my old 93 Chevy pickup, it idles smother than with the plain plugs.
I often just run the OEM plug, it seems like they usually run good and last a long time. (exception is the Chinese plugs, they go in the trash immediately)

 

[Kruse]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8

There ya go! E3 is complete baloney, like "Fire Injectors" of JC Whitney fame...


That brings back memories. Back in the day, I remember they had a full page ad hawking them things in their catalog. If you replaced your regular plugs with Fire Injectors, your mph at idle would go from 6 to 10! While it was tempting, I can honestly say that I never bought any, although that was probably because I was in high school and money was tight.

 

[Lubener]

I have always used standard issue Champions.These engines are very forgiving.

 

[jhellwig]

Anything that has multiple electrodes is pointless. There is only one spark per fireing of the plug. That is not to say that geometry if the electrode cant have some effect but that has more to do with ignition than it does the actual spark.

Edit: Now that I think some more there are ways that improve the actual spark ie irridium or the easy start plugs. But that still doesnt make multiple sparks per fire.

 

[MolaKule]

Quote:
...Champion "EZ Start" plug in my snowblower...


I have had good luck with this type as well in my snowblowers.

The smaller tip diameter helps to create a hotter plasma channel on those cold mornings.

 

[RF Overlord]

Originally Posted By: jhellwig
Anything that has multiple electrodes is pointless. There is only one spark per fireing of the plug.
That is exactly correct. Whichever path has the least resistance will always fire first. While multiple ground electrodes *may* allow a plug to last longer, they do nothing else.

 

[jhellwig]

I have used the e3 plugs in the past and did not notice any benefit to them. I actually had probles with them in the cold with e85 in a tahoe but I cant say 100% that it was the plugs fault. The e3s look like they are just a plain plug with a goofy ground electrode. Not worth the added cost in my opinion.

If I remember right iridium plugs could actualy be bad in a small aircooled engine. I think I remeber reading that they are more sensitive to tempature and dont function well cold. I have a 4 wheeler that you can only get iridium plugs for and you have to keep changing the temp range or the tips burn off depending on the operating conditions.

 

[jhellwig]

edit double post