The great Spark plug question?

[Francis]

Hi guy's I'm not sure if it' been said before (I did a search, but sorry if I missed it)

SO, I'm interested to compare what Brands or Spark Plugs you have either had really good experiences with or some that you may of had bad experiences with.

I’ve tried mostly the standard type, in Autolite, AC Delco, NGK, Denzo and Champion Gold. I know I'm going to get a hammering for this but I actually liked the Champion Gold plugs. They were made in the USA and seemed so strong and well built, but in saying that I have started using the Bosch Platinum’s that super cheap are pushing. I'm keen to try Iridium next but not sure what brand I should go for.

All thoughts welcome.

[Jesk]

I work as an apprentice mechanic, and we use bosch or NGK, everyone else at work have major disdain for champion plugs

[SSD-85]

In the experience of my cars, ive found iridiums to be pretty much a waste of money. In fact, in the case of my xr8's iridiums were worse. NGK's in AU's & Champion** in the Gal.

**Sorry, Autolite in the Gal.

[FreddyDUZ747]

NGK and Brisk for me.

[Windsor220]

The Iridiums just last longer. Like platinums. There wont be any performance difference. They say the normal plugs are actually better in that regard.

[Francis]

I have never heard about Brisk, whats the go with them? Are they a dedicated higher quality plug?

[Francis]

How many KMS do you guy's reckon you would get out of a standard copper set in a BA BF XR8?

While I'm on that note, are there any truth to the stories that changing them on the Boss engines are a big job as most are seized in?

[dave351cid]

i just replaced the plugs in my ute with another set of genuine ford . the old ones were still working fine but had done about 70 000km so i thought i`d shout it a new set. the originals were replaced at a bit over 70 000km as well.

just a tip.... when i went to remove the old plugs a couple of them were very tight in the threads. had me a bit worried as i gently worked them in and out a little at the time with plenty of WD40 till they came out.

i will not be leaving them as long between removals in future.
when i fitted the new plugs i mixed up a graphite paste using powered graphite and lanoline grease and painted it on the threads of the new plugs. hopefully that will help stop them from seizing in the future.

[platinumXR]

NGK.

Champion are for mowers.

[747jet]

mate if you want the right spark plug go for the NGK nothing but the best for own fords

[csv8]

Whats wrong with Motorcraft ?

[charlie200]

Originally Posted by Francis

How many KMS do you guy's reckon you would get out of a standard copper set in a BA BF XR8?

While I'm on that note, are there any truth to the stories that changing them on the Boss engines are a big job as most are seized in?

Boss engines are fine,its the 3v that has that problem. :

[Interceptor]

i use AC-Delco double platinums in my sprint..... cheap too at ~$6-$8 a pop

[ColourHide]

The Iridiums last longer.

[xbcool]

NGK , haven't failed me yet

[graham_h]

I've had good results with Bosch Platinum’s

[BOSHOG]

Originally Posted by platinumXR

NGK.

Champion are for mowers.

you must hate your lawn mower

[ltd]

Originally Posted by charlie200

Boss engines are fine,its the 3v that has that problem. :

Amen to that.
Had ford do the spark plugs in a 3V BA LTD with 110,000klm; all of them came out no problem.

3 months later, thought I'd get the plugs done in a BF LTD with 52000klm (had a misfire on startup); car spent three days at the dealer, easy-outs didn't work and both heads had to come off, get machined and be refitted. Remarkably though, the heads and pistons looked pretty clean and the cylinders looked immaculate. Thankfully, it also fixed the startup misfire.
BTW, has anyone priced the 3V plugs from ford lately? You'll want to sit down when they tell you the price, and then times it by 8.

[1970XW351]

Bosch all the way for me.. I have had two sets of NGK's in my 250 2v, both different heat ranges and a couple plugs in each set has died within a few hours of running, replaced leads checked everything and still no go... Have done about 30 000k's on my bosch's since and they are still fine. :togo:

[Perana]

I use Denso's (usually buy them from Ford as Motorcraft branded plugs), cheaper and better than the equivalent NGK's.

Champion are generally just rubbish, Bosch plugs used to be rubbish, but haven't used them for years.

[aussiblue]

NGK always

[Wolfinsheepsclothing]

Hi what plugs would you guys recomend for a bf2 xr8-i want a good performance plug,car has done 30 000k's,cheers

[mik]

daily driver iridiums for me 70k still not missing a beat.

[SirHenry]

I have been using the Bosch Super Plus (the ones with Yttrium) in them for a while now never any problems with them.

The thing with sparks plugs is that everyone will have their own personal preference for what they want to use.

Personally I hate NGK I have had nothing but bad experiences with them, Champion Golds are a brilliant plug when you get a good batch problem I found with them was they were inconsistent. Which is why I like the Bosch ones always a good consistent reliable plug.

Motorcraft ones aren't too bad either.

[Francis]

Hey I jsut want to make sure, the engine needs to be stone cold when changing the plugs on the Boss engines?

[GASWAGON]

Originally Posted by Francis

Hey I jsut want to make sure, the engine needs to be stone cold when changing the plugs on the Boss engines?

It will help as the ther will be no heat expanding the plugs thread in the threads. If a plugs gets tight co,ing out turn it back in till it comes loose, then carefully work undo a little at a time then back up then back out etc etc or else!
Tight/Seized plugs are due to poor fitment in the first place.... ALL threads should have some sort of lubricant like a good bit of clean engine oil/grease.. And for anything that may seize due to heat ie exhaust/plugs ther is 'Anti sieze' paste available from all auto shops..

[3933steven]

Just dont use antiseize or anything else with a copper base. Eats aluminium.

[blownba]

Bosch for me and my customers.
I love the Bosch Platinum's, they are an awesome plug, they cover two heat ranges and have a super fine centre electrode. They do not require more voltage to fire and keep lit as the age, unlike standard plugs.
The new fusion plugs are the BOMB. they are the most advanced plug in the world at the moment, by far.
I have had plenty of NGK;'s give weird issues over the years. Near new plugs causing hesitations in customers car, hook up the oscilloscope to check ignition pattern and found the new NGK plugs had a strange spark line, very dirty pattern with many spikes over a shortened dwell. Fit Bosch plugs and problem gone.
I have had plenty of big V8's not start (especially cammed 8's) with NGK's When pulled out the spark was not jumping gap of plug but firing deep down in the plug between insulator and body.
On my BMW, years ago I had NGK come loose, not in the threads, in the ceramic. I saw the spark lead bouncing around like the plug was loose in the thread and I could hear combustion pressure being lost. Turns out the ceramic was loose and loosing comp out the plug. Sent it back to Bursons and they told me it was the 3rd plug that month with that issue.

I seem to be the only mechanic I know that has had all these issues. I am not biased, I used to use NGK plugs exclusively, until I had alot of issues and customer come backs because of them. I was made to run them because the owner got a kick back from the NGK rep.

So when it came time to buy my own shop the choice was clear, run the plugs I run in my own car..... BOSCH.

I keep a extensive range of Bosch plugs in stock. From super plus to Platinum's to super 4 and now fusions.
I have had ZERO failures and I am one of the few mechanics that I know that does not have issues with missfire (or backfire in the E-gas) in BA/ BF/ FG falcons after changing plugs.

I love the Bosch range and their value for money. the Bosch platinum's are heaps cheaper than the closest competitor and they eat them for breakfast in their design and reliability.
And because of their design where one of the Yttrium or platinum plugs will cover quite a few NGK plugs so my inventory is much less and I can service a larger range of plugs with my stock.

And they are the first in spark plugs and have always been no 1. To me its simple.

[mik]

thats a pretty good rap for the bosch plug blownba, looks like i will be giveing these baby`s a go .

[janddbone]

I too only use Bosch as I find the threads superior, particularly as it continues all the way from the base to the tip of the plug. This helps avoid cross threading. Also dont over tighten the bloody things!