The case for sparkplugs

[bchannell]

I have always been a believer that there's not much difference between sparkplugs, whatever came in an engine is what I would keep using. Well, I bought a used JD 425 a few years ago, and although it ran fine, it could be hard to start and finicky to restart. Carb rebuild, new ignition delay module, and finally a new carb solved most of the problems. It was at least reliable now and I didn't have to worry would it start. It still just didn't quite start like I thought it should. It's a Kawa 20HP water cooled, and I've checked the valve clearance and compression is great, so no problems mowing once it started. Like I said, it just didn't quite start like I thought it should.
Well, that was with the original NGK plugs and when I put on the new carb, new NGKs went in too. Still ehhh, not quite a quick starter, especially when hot.
Then I decided to try some different plugs, first Champion, no change after using a couple months Next I tried standard old cheap Autolite plug indicated for the engine, wow! It now starts like a rocket, even hot. I just can't believe it. I mean a plugs a plug right? Well, I've been using them for over a year now, closer to two and it starts like a new tractor hot or cold.
I'm impressed!
But it's still hard to believe a plug made that much noticeable difference.

 

[AnthemBassMan]

I usually have better luck with NGK. But it’s awesome that the Autolite plugs gave you better performance. Sometimes it’s just the simple things that make a huge difference.

L8R,
Matt

 

[Astro_Guy]

I too have always had good luck with NGK. Who knows, maybe your plugs were mislabeled or something. In any event, you've solved your problem and should stick with that solution.

 

[zrxkawboy]

Just one thought: there are lots of fake NGK plugs floating around. Where did you buy your NGKs?

 

[bchannell]

I got them at one of the local auto parts stores, don't remember which one. Funny thing is, I think I actually got the Autolites on ebay, I can't remember now though. I agree, I've always thought NGK were the best plugs made, but who knows, just a funny turn of events.

 

[Lubener]

It seems that Autolite is often frowned upon. I never had any issues with them.

 

[bchannell]

I bought a few different plugs, I've got some Densos, haven't even got to using them as it runs good now why mess with it.

 

[Malo83]

Tried Champions and my truck ran like crap, AC Rapidfires run the best in my Silverado.

 

[Fordiesel69]

NGK is getting hit hard as the fake knockoffs are so close to real you almost cannot tell a difference. They even have the metal color replicated better now so you have to be an expert to tell.

For small engines I just avoid the retail pretty package champions altogether. If bought under a standard part # in a bare box they seem ok. NGK and Autolite have also been good. I will personally never run bosch plugs on anything. Bitter taste over their platinum + 4 days.

 

[JustinH]

This is the lawnmower forum.

I go to a big box store and pick up a new plug every two years and a filter every year to service my Briggs powered John Deere.

Its going on about 14 years old no issue.

I don't think it needs a plug every two years, I only burn about 2 gallons of gas through it per year.

Even the oil looks clean at the end of the season so I just leave it in there.

Towards the end of the mowing season I will fill up with zero ethanol four stroke gas to store it for a couple months when the grass goes dorment.

 

[vwmaniaman]

Daughters Nissan Sentra 1.8L had Bosch Platinums in it. Stalled and surged every time she would start up from a stop. I read on the Nissan boards to dump the Bosch and use cheap copper Autolites. Problem solved.

 

[Lubener]

Tried Champions and my truck ran like crap, AC Rapidfires run the best in my Silverado.

Could it be that they are AC's and your truck is a GM??? OEM usually work best.

 

[andyd]

In '05 I drove a free '88 528e home from Newport in a sou'wester monsoon. The car sat for a yr on squishy tires and next to no gas. It started up easily and I crept to a gas station then drove home 70 miles. The engine purred in the warm rain. When I parted the car I save a few plugs for spares. Autolite 66 coppers. I would have used them again , but I couldn't find them.

 

[TnT_M]

I actually use E3's in my small equipment. They run good and haven't had a problem with them. I find them at Menard's.

 

[Audioquest]

Could it be that they are AC's and your truck is a GM??? OEM usually work best.

Pretty sure that AC Rapidfire plugs are nothing but re-badged NGKs.

 

[Audioquest]

Champion plugs are not awful, but I find they foul easily in OPE even when the correct plug/heat range is used. I use NGK and only NGK.

 

[RazorsEdge]

I actually use E3's in my small equipment. They run good and haven't had a problem with them. I find them at Menard's.

Yeah I had a E3 plug in the used Craftsman lawn tractor we picked up last year. The tractor ran perfectly fine. I replaced it with a NGK plug and saw no difference in how it ran.

 

[bchannell]

Yeah I had a E3 plug in the used Craftsman lawn tractor we picked up last year. The tractor ran perfectly fine. I replaced it with a NGK plug and saw no difference in how it ran.

That's what surprised me, I usually see no difference in plugs, but this time I saw a pretty major difference. I used to believe no plug made any difference.

 

[ulflyer]

I've always liked Autolite's and recently replaced the OEM's in my 13 Accord 2.4. Forget what came out, NGK or Denso?, but at 125K they looked nice and tan, still gapped correct! Put Autolites in and had a "miss" right off. Pulled them out and replaced with NGK's...no more "miss". Anybody want 4 Autolites?

Getting ready to change OEM's on '20 Ranger with some Denso's plugs and wires. Gonna let someone else do the work tho. That 4.0 has a couple plugs that are hard to get at.

 

[ctechbob]

On a whim, at the beginning of season I picked up a set of NGK Iridiums at the local Advance Auto. I was doing a valve adjustment on my Kholer 7000 and figured, why not, and as I recall I needed them to round up a purchase to use a coupon, so they were essentially almost free when all was said and done.

On this particular engine, my starting procedure has always been to start cranking with the throttle the whole way at the lower stop to allow it to sling some oil around, not for long, maybe 2-3 seconds or so, and then push the throttle to choke where it would immediately fire. Motor at the time had around 50 hours on it.

Since the new plugs, most of the time it will actually fire before I advance the throttle to choke. It had never done that in 3 years prior. It doesn't catch, but it will briefly fire. So, there was a change with the plugs, the valves were in spec so those didn't actually take any adjustment.

Just an interesting note in the history of this engine, nothing miraculous. I didn't run out and put NGK Iridiusm in all my power equipment, but I might use them as replacements whenever I replace a plug from here on out, just because.