Jump to content
SAU Community

Recommended Posts

Dont sand them, as most platinum plugs are only platinum coated and not a solid platinum electrode, sometimes even gaping the coated plugs can damage the thin platinum coating causing early failure. Platinum plugs are also self cleaning, this is achieved when the plug electrode reaches a certain temperature it burns off any chemical residue, if the plug is not in the right temp range the plug might not self clean and chemical residue will build up causing the plug to foul. The solid platinum electrode plugs reach the self cleaning temp more quicker making them more reliable over a longer service life. Electrode edges need to be sharp and not rounded as this will reduce plug performance.

The following is taken from http://www.ngkntk.com.br/site_ingles/direct/p19.html

Cleaning procedure:

1. If the ignition end is weat or humid, clean it first with a dissolver and dry it before continuing cleaning.

2. After cleaning, apply an air jet to eliminate cleaning product traces in the ignition end.

3. Clean the thread and the spark plug metal cover with a little wire brush. Be careful and make sure to eliminate all traces of the cleaning product in the threads because it could damage the breech thread when installing the spark plug.

4. Finally, adjust the electrodes caliber as recommended by the engine manufacturer.

(Note) To clean V type or platinum electrodes spark plugs, apply a smaller air pressure and realize cleaning in a shorter time.

MEGA

Bosch recommends when installing spark plugs to use a torque wrench and the correct torque in ft.-lbs. As listed below:

10mm With Gasket - 8-11 FT.-LBS

12mm With Gasket - 12-15 FT.-LBS

14mm With Gasket - 19-22 FT.-LBS

14mm Tapered Seat - 12-15 FT.-LBS

18mm With Gasket - 20-23 FT.-LBS

18mm Tapered Seat - 14-17 FT.-LBS

If a torque wrench is not available, hand tighten the plug until it is seated in the cylinder head. Spark plugs with gaskets should be tightened an additional 90°. Spark plugs with tapered seats should be tightened an additional 15°.

This PDF file shows how to read the faces of used standard electrode plugs:

http://www.boschusa.com/images/Sparkplugfaces.pdf

MEGA

If you've got problems, i'd just go back to coppers - @$23 or so for 6x you can replace a hell of a lot of them to match one set of platinums.

I checked mine today and they turned up somewhere between 1. and 2. on those pics which is fine in a skyline. You'll find that the RB engines tend to run a bit richer, therefore the plugs will get dirty a bit easier than with some other cars.

Platinums will make absolutely no difference to performance. People running 300rwkw setups often still use coppers.

although some say they are recommended about "spark efficiency" and rubbish, i think its often b.s to sell you a $200 set of plugs, rather than a $30 set.

They will last longer though.

I always thought the Platinums were used not so much for their lifespan rather for there performance?? is this wrong

The reason I use iridiums isn't because of more power, but because they last a lot longer and are more consistent over their lifetime. Mostly because of their self-cleaning ability. Whenever I've used coppers in the past, the plugs just deteriorate slowly and I was never sure of when to replace the plugs. I could take the easy way out and just replace them every 5000km as many people do, but after 20000km of coppers I could have paid for one set of iridiums. And iridiums last a lot longer than 20000km.

Pred, where did you get quoted $200 for platinums? I paid $17 each for my iridiums, and platinums are usually a tad cheaper.

I don't have too much problems with fouling and run 10psi consistanly. I think this latest set of plugs has done 15k or so and they've still got another good 5-10k in them. But really, up to you.

i think it was repco at the time that quoted me that :) so no wonder !

My plugs haven't been checked in 35,000km, thats why I plan on checking them later tonight or tomorrow night when everything cools down abit just to see what condition they are in and what they are gapped to.

I prefer platinum's because every time a spark plug fires, a tiny bit of metal is lost in the electrical discharge. Over the course of 1000 km at 10,000 rpm – or 80 000 km at 2500 rpm in a car – this can degrade the plug’s performance because the gap between the center electrode and ground electrode gets larger. The larger the gap, the more voltage is required to produce a spark, until the capability of the ignition system is exceeded and the plug misfires. It was found that the multiple ground electrode and precious metals such as platinum reduces gap erosion. Small diameter electrodes make it easier for spark to be produced also reducing the gap has the same effect and reduces the ignition voltage reqirements.

Platinum's are a direct result of development and testing in long distance racing.

IMHO expense of the platinums can be justified if you take into account the performance, life-span , reliability , labour saving aspects.

MEGA

  • 1 month later...
The reason I use iridiums isn't because of more power, but because they last a lot longer and are more consistent over their lifetime. Mostly because of their self-cleaning ability. Whenever I've used coppers in the past, the plugs just deteriorate slowly and I was never sure of when to replace the plugs. I could take the easy way out and just replace them every 5000km as many people do, but after 20000km of coppers I could have paid for one set of iridiums. And iridiums last a lot longer than 20000km.

Pred, where did you get quoted $200 for platinums? I paid $17 each for my iridiums, and platinums are usually a tad cheaper.

Where did u buy them at? I am looking to buy a set and I got quoted $30/each!!!!

I am using iridiums at the moment, only cause I am a fan and have used them on various cars with good performance and at $35 for a set who could argue (yes they are NGK and no I am not telling where I got them)

I only use platinums in N/A cars because the less strain on the plugs ie heat and boost etc. If you can change your plugs regular use Copper they conduct better, if you ever speak to a sparkie do they use platinum in wires???

I am using iridiums at the moment, only cause I am a fan and have used them on various cars with good performance and at $35 for a set who could argue (yes they are NGK and no I am not telling where I got them)

Why bother telling us how cheap you got them if you don't say where? Are we suppoed to be impressed?

  • 6 years later...
The reason I use iridiums isn't because of more power, but because they last a lot longer and are more consistent over their lifetime. Mostly because of their self-cleaning ability. Whenever I've used coppers in the past, the plugs just deteriorate slowly and I was never sure of when to replace the plugs. I could take the easy way out and just replace them every 5000km as many people do, but after 20000km of coppers I could have paid for one set of iridiums. And iridiums last a lot longer than 20000km.

Pred, where did you get quoted $200 for platinums? I paid $17 each for my iridiums, and platinums are usually a tad cheaper.

Mine lasted 105,000k and I only replaced them because it was convenient with a major service

wow old thread, my coppers are fading at like 4000km, will switch to bosch plats at $38 for 6 soon.

should also point out that the metal used doesn't impact the explostion of the fuel, ie: the power. and the metal lost is kind of insignificant, the bigger problems are damage to the plug by using a plug which is too hot or crap forming all over the plug from running rich etc

  • 1 year later...

has anybody used Bosch plugs?

Repco don't stock NGK and sold me a set of "platinum iridium super plus" plugs, wanted to know if anybody had any experiences to share??

...I haven't put them in yet, probably next weekend with the full service

Edited by Cain82

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Similar Content

  • Latest Posts

    • Seat of the pants assessment of the new intake: The car is way less "doughy" when hitting the loud pedal, especially off idle when stopped or in traffic, I did use a cheapo lazer thermal thingo to measure the temp around where the pod filter got its air, it was between 55 - 60°C, in saying this the car was shut off and not moving, so the OEM intake pipe was not supplying any fresh air to where the pod was when the car was at least moving A weird bonus was induction noise on the throttle in the cabin increased a bit,  I was worried that I was actually going to lose some of that induction noise I love so much, outside though, when I got the daughter to do a WOT drive by pass for me, the induction noise has increased alot when on the throttle, not quite ITB doort, but well up there I'm extremely happy with the results and have been exploring the country roads in the region  As for house mods: 1.New front fence is up and is awesome, it really upgraded how the joint looks from the street, and the added security is nice 2. Electricians have replace some interior lights, and with more lighting in the garage, a few new motion detecting lights out the front above the garage, front room, and at the front door, which I have already found heaps helpful coming and going, also now has fancy pants CCTV all round the house The only hold point for power though is the solar and batteries due to supply issues, although this will happen over the next few weeks 3. I have done a heap of landscaping out the front and I'm almost ready to do a new small retaining wall with some nice blocks to replace the brick and cemented in rocks around the raised garden beds cemented in river stone "was the fashion at the time" the house was built. I currently have a pallet of retaining wall blocks and 2 bulka bags of 20mm blue metal to replace the wood chip that is in the raised garden beds around the house 4. I now have 3 big raised garden beds for out the back to grow some vegetables, about 70cm high, 200cm long and 100cm wide 5. My 2 compost bins are already pretty full with brown, green and kitchen waste from the landscaping I'vedone so far, but they will probably take a few months to break down, so anything else that gets chopped, trimmed, and kitchen waste will just start filling the base of the raised garden beds to about 30cm before I start throwing 40cm of good compost, and stuff, for the vegetables to grow in, I'll need a few ton of compost and soil, but the local supplier can sent me bulka bags of the stuff Basically the logs, wood chips and a few strategically placed rocks for drainage, will give the beds some good organic materials down low to break down over time, and they will hold moisture during the warmer months to save the water in my big arse water tank if we don't get alot of rain So, all in all, the car and house mods are going well, and I'm really enjoying being retired, I sleep in too 0700 and slowly plod around inside until I feel like actually doing anything, and only work in the yard for as long as want, which has actually been alot over the last few weeks,  although when you look at it, it seems that not a huge amount of work has been done,  until I look at the before I started the work pics Happy days and good times indeed 
    • hahaha yeah. Plan is to get side skirts and probably just rear pods. But going to do them one-by-one. I've got a set that I really like from RHDJapen, but that one isn't shipped to AU. So need to find someone who can get it for me
    • Here's an idea, answer the questions I asked you as they are trying to work out WHY the LSD will be binding up in a straight line.
    • You haven't driven many modern cars then have you? Most of them have sfa steering feel with their stupid electric bullshit steering systems.
×
×
  • Create New...