Spark plugs?

OwenM

OwenM

Joined
Oct 26, 2000
Messages
6,104
Ok, automotive mechanical expert types, how much difference is there in these "premium" spark plugs.
I was looking at some Bosch Titanium +4 plugs, and all I could think was "Crap, does that mean I'll have to check the gap 32 times?"
The most common names I see on a search Denso, NGK, and Bosch...but there are $2 plugs, and $20 plugs.
I don't know jack about any of them, though I'll willingly pay more for good ones, especially if some gas mileage hangs in the bargain.
What say you?
 
Snake oil. Once the center and ground electrodes get rounded, ionization gets less intense and localized. Doesn't matter what kind of crazy electrode setup your plugs have. Even if you regap old plugs the lack of sharp corners on the electrodes still exist. Most of these testimonials about increased power and better gas mileage are just a result of fresh plugs with sharp corners on the electrodes.
 
Exactly. Replace the plugs with anything new and you'll see a bit of a bump for a short time. Platinium is actually supposed to produce a hotter spark and last longer. That might be worth something.
 
Plugs are pretty much snake oil nowadays. Modern ignition systems are plenty powerful enough that the slight efficiency differences in spark plugs make very little difference. That said, if the plugs are very difficult to access, such as on the rear bank, I would recommend that you pony up for the platinums purely for longevity reasons. Many new cars are sold with platinums simply because it allows them to extend the initial service requirement claim. I.E., No Tuneup needed for 100k.

I buy el cheapo NGKs and change them frequently (turbo cars tend to eat them up fairly rapidly)...

Mark
 
JUst go to the toyota dealer and get the stock replacements,I have been doing this for all of the yotas I have had,and have never had any problems with these plugs.
 
Just get the right type. My dad's old lancia fulvia zagato ate sparkplugs like nuts, due to its high compression ratio. Only stopped when he put in long, hot plugs
 
just use the right heat range plug, my vette uses platinum plugs, has almost 45K on them and still work 100%, i took 1 out a while back, and it looked pretty good still, they say they will go 100K, we'll see.

i know in the old days some catalogs didnt cross from 1 brand to another correctly, in this day/age i wouldnt think that was still true (ie ya should look them up by application vs crossing the old plug # with the new brand, i sold a bud some plugs for a kawasaki 900 and they crossed from his old ones correctly but were too hot and messed up a piston IIRC)
 
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