Spark Plugs

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hambone
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Spark Plugs

Post by hambone » Fri Jul 23, 2010 10:36 am

How often do you guys replace your spark plugs?
I usually do about every 2 years. But the quality of Bosch plugs (etc.) has been slipping. Made in India, fine, but apparently lacking QC.
I have heard mixed reports about Bosch stuff causing problems. Is there a better product out there these days? I have tried so hard to be loyal to Bosch but I have seen bad plug wires, bad points, and have heard about bad plug threads. Frustrating.
NGK is probably better quality, if available for type1. It just seems WRONG to use Japanese parts on a German car. At least Brazil has Hitler in a vat of some kind of science-juice.
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sped372
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Post by sped372 » Fri Jul 23, 2010 10:48 am

I run NGKs but I admit, I don't change them very frequently. I thought it was usually based on mileage, not time? What are the symptoms of plugs going south?
1971 Karmann Ghia - 1600 DP
1984 Westfalia - 1.9 WBX

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hambone
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Post by hambone » Fri Jul 23, 2010 11:41 am

Gap gets bigger and dirty, doesn't have as much power. Runs a little rougher.
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sped372
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Post by sped372 » Fri Jul 23, 2010 12:02 pm

hambone wrote:doesn't have as much power.
You'll notice that the engine itself doesn't have as much power?
1971 Karmann Ghia - 1600 DP
1984 Westfalia - 1.9 WBX

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hambone
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Post by hambone » Fri Jul 23, 2010 12:07 pm

If you're crazy.
It's pretty subtle at first, but it can get noticeable eventually. The electrode rounds off also, in addition to a larger gap. I always figured new plugs were cheap insurance, especially in the cold winters of the Midwest. There I changed them every year.
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http://pdxvolksfolks.blogspot.com
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Amskeptic
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Post by Amskeptic » Fri Jul 23, 2010 3:59 pm

hambone wrote:If you're crazy.
It's pretty subtle at first, but it can get noticeable eventually. The electrode rounds off also, in addition to a larger gap. I always figured new plugs were cheap insurance, especially in the cold winters of the Midwest. There I changed them every year.
I change them at engine overhaul intervals . . . file and gap them three times in the middle, about every 33.000 miles or so.
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles

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Hippie
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Post by Hippie » Fri Jul 23, 2010 7:29 pm

You're supposed to change them?

What's next, you'll tell me I have to grease the chassis?

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chitwnvw
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Post by chitwnvw » Fri Jul 23, 2010 8:20 pm

Hippie wrote:You're supposed to change them?

What's next, you'll tell me I have to grease the chassis?
God! Right?

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static
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Post by static » Sat Jul 24, 2010 2:22 pm

FYI: German-made Bosch Platinums at Bus Depot for $1.75 ea.

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Hippie
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Post by Hippie » Sun Jul 25, 2010 7:14 pm

chitwnvw wrote:God! Right?
Only 84,000 miles to go and they will be due on the truck. I'll do the Bus at the same time. And maybe grease the CV joints.

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Vdubtech
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Post by Vdubtech » Sun Jul 25, 2010 7:53 pm

static wrote:FYI: German-made Bosch Platinums at Bus Depot for $1.75 ea.
I've cured more misfire problems by pulling out the god damn Bosch Platinums and replacing them with copper plugs than I care to talk about. I run NGK's in my Bus and when I tune up the Bug I will be using NGK's as well. I also run NGK wires in the Bus, though I don't know if they're available for the Bug. I still run Bosch for the cap, rotor, points, etc.

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Hippie
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Post by Hippie » Mon Jul 26, 2010 6:09 am

I've heard that.
Seems like the all long-life platinum or iridium plugs only work well in ignitions where they were the OEM spec. I don't know why.

(I mean, not always, but often they don't fire well in old ignition systems where they originally had conventional plugs.)

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hambone
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Post by hambone » Mon Jul 26, 2010 7:20 am

NGKs any better?
http://greencascadia.blogspot.com
http://pdxvolksfolks.blogspot.com
it balances on your head just like a mattress balances on a bottle of wine
your brand new leopard skin pillbox hat

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vwlover77
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Post by vwlover77 » Mon Jul 26, 2010 9:55 am

Hippie wrote:Seems like the all long-life platinum or iridium plugs only work well in ignitions where they were the OEM spec. I don't know why.)
I think the newer high-energy discharge ignition systems are needed to fire those plugs reliably. HEI put out a lot more voltage (40,000 volts) than a conventional coil (18,000 volts).
Don

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Amskeptic
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Post by Amskeptic » Wed Jul 28, 2010 12:00 am

vwlover77 wrote:
Hippie wrote:Seems like the all long-life platinum or iridium plugs only work well in ignitions where they were the OEM spec. I don't know why.)
I think the newer high-energy discharge ignition systems are needed to fire those plugs reliably. HEI put out a lot more voltage (40,000 volts) than a conventional coil (18,000 volts).
I would not use the platinum plugs with our Kettering Ignition Systems.
Copper core Old School plugs are fine for firing off our old lawn mower engines.
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles

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