So... platinum spark plugs are something like ten times the price of regular old plugs. I'm sure that the rare element of platinum justifies this higher price, but what exactly do you get for your money? Do they resist fouling any better, or work over a broader heat range, or even last longer? Or are they simply more profitable for the spark plug companies? And while I'm at it: what brand of plugs do you guys use? How do you figure the best heat range, if you deviate from an OEM standard? And finally, does anyone index their plugs? Thanks in advance, Matt
I always thought that platinum spark plugs were spark plugs that had sold over a million copies. Dave http://www.roadsters.com/
I just read in a magizine not to use them in blower motors or if you use spray, they hold heat longer and can cause preignition.
I paid about 3X for NGK platinums for my 318 Dodge van. They are supposed to resist fouling and fire under rough conditions. That certainly describes the 375K mile engine which is approaching 2 cycle standards for oil consumption. The beast started even at 25 below this winter. Got about 30K on them, mostly very heavy cargo area loads and trailer towing. When it finally dies I'll just remove the plates and walk away
To me, those plugs are designed for people like us...unfortunately, they sell them to way too many people who know nothing about engines and think that if they spend the extra $$$ & install them they'll get more horsepower...or something...then wind up getting rid of the car 15,000 miles later and see none of the benefits. They're good for what they are, but having said that, it all depends on how you use them. They won't do much good in a $500 '87 ******, that's for sure. Since I loath standing in line at an auto parts store next to *****s who don't know what they're buying other than what they've seen on TV, I just had to give my .05 (inflation).
My Astro van went thru three sets of regular plugs in less than 30,000 miles along with three #3 sparkplug wires, only #3 for some unknown reason... Wife bought some Bosch Platinum plugs (it was her car) and I put them in. At about 70,000 miles I bought some more figuring it probabaly needed them but after pulling two and they looked like new I just put the same ones back in. At about 110,000 miles, same thing. At 145,000 miles I got tired of the box of new ones rattling around in the glove box so I put them in but it still didn't really need them. I heard leaded gas destroys them though.
Platinum plugs are simply made to last longer than conventional plugs...They don't add power, and the heat ranges are normally the same as other plugs for the same applications...As far as what plugs to use... AC Delco = GM Autolite = chrysler/ford motorcraft = ford champion = chrysler NGK = pretty much any japanese vehicle Nippondenso = same as above Bosch = german cars, but I wouldn't use them in anything else It's been my experience, that using Bosch plugs in japanese vehicles, reduces the mileage of the plug, and also is a major cause of poor drivability(fouling and misfires)...Hope this helps... JP
I put them in my first honda civic, revving to 8k at times. Completely obliterated the center conductor and insulator with a couple months. Never again, I like cheap copper plugs, and I like to throw them away anually. Some bosch silvers came with my old BMW when I bought it, they fouled under normal use. fuggum. who wants to pay $8 a plug anyway...
I use em in all our ford vans at work. If you've ever changed plugs in an overhead cam ford V/8 placed in a van, you'd understand. I have a little prayer I recite that has to do with my people selling ford vans before 100,000 miles. Swapping plugs in a 351 ford van ain't much better. I love platinum plugs! I did a tune up on a 5.3 litre [new ohc ford engine] 97 ford van with platinum plugs installed at the factory. Truck had 106,000 miles and over 9,000 hours on the hourmeter. There was hardly anything left of the electrodes but it still ran...kinda.
Damn, Kev...$500 for an 87 ******??? NOBODY'S dumb enough to pay THAT much!! (Yes, Platinum plugs last longer...but you'll get alot of mileage out of regular plugs in a properly tuned engine that doesn't burn oil or coolant, too!) I use AC Delco or Autolite plugs in all my cars, and NGK in my mini-bike. Wouldn't put Champions in a lawn mower!!!
AC Delco = GM Autolite = chrysler/ford motorcraft = ford champion = chrysler NGK = pretty much any japanese vehicle Nippondenso = same as above Bosch = german cars, but I wouldn't use them in anything else Ive tried Champ and Autolite in flatheads, Champs ****. There is no consistency, a box of 8 might as well me 4 different part #. Went to NGK B6L about 4 years ago. Best Ive ever used and that is all I will put in customer builds. Same with Y blocks, went with NGK AP5FS, the 292 started at even 25 below. Damn glad it did as I had misjudged the amount of anti freeze and the radiator was pure slush. Volvos come with Bosch platinum plugs (Volvo name). Replaced the originals in my wifes 940 at 125K with NGK platinum. Didnt work worth a damn. Went back to Bosch. Got regular Motorcraft in the Taurus, about 50K on this set, no problems. Wouldn't put Champions in a lawn mower!!! Ive 2 ride on mowers, a couple of chain saws, a generator, weed whacker, cement mixer and maybe one or 2 other things. Wish I could find the holy grail for small engine plugs but it has eluded me sofar. Havent found any place local that stocks small engine NGK since our small town (6 area stores) auto parts stores went away.
I think part of the idea with platinum plugs is the lower electrical resistance and improved heat transfer. Plus, the center electrode on the Bosch Platinum plugs is quite small so heat transfer would be less which may(?) be an improvement. I wonder as well if the chemical reaction between platinum and gasoline could have something to do with the combustion process. I do know that 2 stroke model aircraft engines have platinum glow plug coils - not sure of the alloy or purity. When the glow plug is hot it fires the alcohol laden mixture due to heat (my opinion) as well as the chemical reaction between alcohol and platinum when heat is involved. (engineers opinion) The last thing I read about this is that the chemical reaction is mainly responsible for firing the mixture. Course, the process of combustion keeps the coil hot so who's to say that heat is not more important than what some engineers have to say about the 2 stroke/alcohol/chemical reaction process. It was an interesting read anyway. Like the Doc's experience, the Bosch Platinum plugs I run in my 32 last for a long time. Replaced twice due to the guilt factor, but they looked so good when I took em out I saved em. The ones I run have the single ground electrode. I'm wondering how the four ground electrode models do.
[ QUOTE ] My Astro van went thru three sets of regular plugs in less than 30,000 miles along with three #3 sparkplug wires, only #3 for some unknown reason... Wife bought some Bosch Platinum plugs (it was her car) and I put them in. At about 70,000 miles I bought some more figuring it probabaly needed them but after pulling two and they looked like new I just put the same ones back in. At about 110,000 miles, same thing. At 145,000 miles I got tired of the box of new ones rattling around in the glove box so I put them in but it still didn't really need them. I heard leaded gas destroys them though. [/ QUOTE ] I like the sound of not changing the plugs again for that long. Does lead subs***ue destroy platinum plugs? (Or: does lead subs***ute do anything at all?) If I'm going to change them that infrequently, I may actually index them for the hell of it!
here's a couple questions- how many folks clean and regap vs. installing new plugs? secondly, can platinum plugs be cleaned without the plating being blown off? like other cheapskates I use an abrasive plug cleaner regularly. you?
What DrJ said. I changed my stock plugs in my Explorer at 40k miles to the Motorcraft platinums. Went to change them again at 100k, and they didnt even really need a cleaning. They had a faint white dusting of carbon, but they cleaned off with a paper towel. No report of any power gain though.
[ QUOTE ] here's a couple questions- how many folks clean and regap vs. installing new plugs? like other cheapskates I use an abrasive plug cleaner regularly. you? [/ QUOTE ] I keep cleaning the old ones til they start to cause a miss, I clean my plugs with a wire wheel, I am super cheap
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