Tuning Spark Plugs
- Thread starter ahmett
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Tuning Spark Plugs
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What's wrong with that???
It just looks a bit dirty to me...If you have a spark-plug spanner.. you should also have a feeler gauge and a little wire brush. Clean them (though the colour looks normal to me) re-gap them and Roberto is your mother's brother.
Ralf S.
ngk ones from our local factors cost about £4 each not the end of the world price wise if you have the savvy to replace them
dealership wanted £50 to do them on top of basic service cost
dealership wanted £50 to do them on top of basic service cost
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electrode intact, insulator tan coloured
looks perfect
looks perfect
ahmett
Prominent member
I also dont see a problem with those. Remember that Ahmett is talking km's and not miles.
ahmett
Prominent member
No maxi since everyone here is British I use miles in my quotes.
ahmett
Prominent member
K as in thousands. Ill be more specific next time!
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Gap is a bit wide (and was probably too wide from the off, putting the coils under extra stress), but the centre electrode looks pretty square still. There's evidence of coronal discharge - this is more likely due to the gap being so huge.
Modern ignition systems are usually happy with a gap of around 1.0mm (40 thou).
Modern ignition systems are usually happy with a gap of around 1.0mm (40 thou).
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After reading some of the thread that JR provided a link I've done a bit more research...
- Bosch plugs have a nickel which is better than zinc to prevent seizing in the cylinder head - still wouldn't buy a 'standard' set but I might if my car ran on LPG - gap is supposedly smaller.
- Copper which is used by NGK has a better heat range.
- Platinum & Iridium last longer.
- Iridium isn't as good a conductor so the 'head' was made smaller to compensate.
- Plugs last 10K-20K miles depending on how they are used and the conditions in which they operate.
- Worn plugs impact mpg. Would guess that if you put in new ones at the 'optimum' time they would save between 1-3 mpg which easily pays for the replacements.
- In the T-jets iridium plugs are used as opposed to standard copper based ones.
- For the TA there are no equivalents only the standard ones.
- Looking at reasons for head gaskets going on cars pre-ignition comes up as one possible cause.
- Doubt that there is anything wrong with your plugs in your 1.4 but you'd notice the difference with a new set and even more so with a set of Denso iridiums.
http://www.ehow.com/list_7218731_causes-blown-head-gasket-car_.html
http://spark-plugs.co.uk/index.php/contents/display/19/technical.contents.FAQ
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/under-the-hood/car-part-longevity/automotive-spark-plugs-last.htm
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Yet. The engine has only been around for a couple of years, give it a little time and I'm sure some will appear. But if standard ones do the job.
