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#359124 - 12/07/2013 00:02 spark plugs and snake oil
JBjorgen
carpal tunnel

Registered: 19/01/2002
Posts: 3584
Loc: Columbus, OH
I'm getting ready to change the plugs on my car, and am wondering if there's really much difference between the $1.79 plugs and the $12 plugs. Are the expensive plugs like the audiophile cables that are directional?

Anyone have thoughts on this?
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~ John

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#359127 - 12/07/2013 10:18 Re: spark plugs and snake oil [Re: JBjorgen]
K447
old hand

Registered: 29/05/2002
Posts: 798
Loc: near Toronto, Ontario, Canada
What kind of car? How old?

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#359128 - 12/07/2013 10:59 Re: spark plugs and snake oil [Re: K447]
JBjorgen
carpal tunnel

Registered: 19/01/2002
Posts: 3584
Loc: Columbus, OH
It's a 2001 Ford Focus

4 cylinder 2.0L DOHC Engine
_________________________
~ John

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#359129 - 12/07/2013 12:10 Re: spark plugs and snake oil [Re: JBjorgen]
tanstaafl.
carpal tunnel

Registered: 08/07/1999
Posts: 5546
Loc: Ajijic, Mexico
Originally Posted By: JBjorgen
if there's really much difference between the $1.79 plugs and the $12 plugs.
Yes.

Not in initial performance but yes in longevity.

The premium plugs will have platinum electrodes and will last 60,000 miles or more while maintaining as-new performance.

The electrodes in the cheaper plugs will burn away much faster, degrading performance and fuel economy.

That said... if your goal is absolute minimum expenditure of money as opposed to not having to work on the car, the cheaper plugs will probably cost less in the long run.

Most manufacturers start out with the expensive spark plugs in order to reduce the amount of service required while the car is under warranty.

tanstaafl.
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"There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch"

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#359135 - 12/07/2013 13:34 Re: spark plugs and snake oil [Re: tanstaafl.]
JBjorgen
carpal tunnel

Registered: 19/01/2002
Posts: 3584
Loc: Columbus, OH
I recently inherited this car from my grandparents and it's just ticked over 80,000, so while it's 12 years old, it still has some miles left on it. I'm fairly certain that it still has the original plugs and wires, which is why I'm changing them.

I think it'd be nice to have some longevity to the plugs so I don't have to worry about them for a while. I don't mind spending a little extra if it's warranted, but I don't want to uselessly pour money into snake-oil.

Anyone have a particular brand/style they recommend?
_________________________
~ John

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#359139 - 12/07/2013 16:31 Re: spark plugs and snake oil [Re: JBjorgen]
Redrum
old hand

Registered: 17/01/2003
Posts: 998
One of those car TV shows “House Power” I think did some test on one of those expensive plugs and it was found to give a couple extra house power (to like a 500 hp engine). I’m a bit skeptical myself. A search on their website will probably list the plug.

Personally I have not had good experiences with Champion spark plugs in good running motors. One actually fell apart in a motor. However that motor was a blown fuel injected big block smile

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#359142 - 12/07/2013 16:52 Re: spark plugs and snake oil [Re: Redrum]
JBjorgen
carpal tunnel

Registered: 19/01/2002
Posts: 3584
Loc: Columbus, OH
One of the sites I read said you shouldn't gap iridium plugs because the material is so hard that you can damage it?
_________________________
~ John

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#359150 - 12/07/2013 20:49 Re: spark plugs and snake oil [Re: JBjorgen]
tanstaafl.
carpal tunnel

Registered: 08/07/1999
Posts: 5546
Loc: Ajijic, Mexico
Originally Posted By: JBjorgen
One of the sites I read said you shouldn't gap iridium plugs because the material is so hard that you can damage it?
You won't damage the iridium (more likely to damage the gapping tool) but you will crack or break the ceramic insulation around the center electrode.

tanstaafl.
_________________________
"There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch"

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