Technical Iridium Spark Plugs

[Adam1984]

I'll give a slightly longer answer. The system that monitors the engine and its computers is called On Board Diagnostics, Version 2, or OBD2 for short.

It has one simple purpose; to ensure that emission control systems in the car are working properly. The key things it's looking at are what goes into the exhaust from the engine, and what comes out after the catalytic convertor. It will also check on things related to the engine running 'clean', such as how much fuel goes in, how much air comes in through the air filter and if its the same after the turbo (when fitted), and, on a diesel engine, if the exhaust gas recirculation system and diesel particulate filter are working properly - (again, two things to reduce emissions).

Now, if you spark plugs were faulty, or the supply to them from the coils and leads wasn't right, then the fuel might not be ignited properly and so the sensors might detect something 'wrong' with the exhaust gases. And if that were happening then you might, if it were to happen frequently enough, show an error. But no car is perfect, so the system checks during every drive, but only reports an issue if it happens three times in a row - to be sure it's not a 'false alarm'.

You are seeing no codes or lights. That means the system thinks your car is fine. That means you don't need to do anything to it. Until next year when the oil might need changing.

Thank you.

I have purchased new spark plugs and leads for a total of £30. And a friend will fit them for free so can't complain too much.

 

[The Panda Nut]

If you open your bonnet, take off one of your HT leads and then start your engine you’ll see how you know if they’re not working. Basics of a petrol internal combustion engine

especially if you hold the lead...

 

[Greasytrucker]

Thank you.

I have purchased new spark plugs and leads for a total of £30. And a friend will fit them for free so can't complain too much.

Just be careful they’re not knockoffs as i know you get lots of counterfeit Denso plugs, especially if you only paid £30 including leads! Packaging doesn’t look the best to me in the picture either. Hopefully genuine but seems very cheap to me

 

[Adam1984]

Just be careful they’re not knockoffs as i know you get lots of counterfeit Denso plugs, especially if you only paid £30 including leads! Packaging doesn’t look the best to me in the picture either. Hopefully genuine but seems very cheap to me

How can I tell if genuine or not? I purchased from a UK major retailer called My Motor World and the leads from Halfords.

 

[Greasytrucker]

How can I tell if genuine or not? I purchased from a UK major retailer called My Motor World and the leads from Halfords.

Then you should be all good then. Happy days

 

[Adam1984]

Then you should be all good then. Happy days

Denso or NGK, am thinking about NGK plugs now. I want iridium but says they are only valid for CPC or LPG fuel. Would they work on my petrol 1.2?

 

[Greasytrucker]

If you go back to post #5 @The Panda Nut said that many people use iridium plugs in the 1.2 so they’ll be fine, he’s had more than his fair share of Pandas so I’d trust his judgment

 

[Adam1984]

1.2 standard FPT plugs are not iridium. Iridium will be fine though and many on here use them. 1.2 plugs getting fouled is not unknown. The stronger spark from an iridium plug may be of benefit. £19 for 4 oem grade plugs would be a first for me. Its strong value.

Where are you seeing the £19 for 4 OEM plugs?

 

[The Panda Nut]

I thought that was you meant (Tuesday 08.47) I have a set of Iridium plugs given to me by another forum member who sold his car. (Murphy) he rated them highly. Ive not tried them yet. Fiat Power Train (Fpt) plugs for the 1.2s seem to be NGK. I get them from S4P. I see no reason not to use Iridium type plugs Halfords listed them when last I looked. Tge TA uses them They are brutally expensive. Over the years Ive tried different stuff butnow stick to what is OEM. Just make sure thet business end is the exact correct length too short or long and it could be a disaster. Fake parts are axrampant problem and quality of some of these is in the dangerous category, so I only buy from established local motor factors or known suppliers like S4P, or dealers - but they wanted £70 for two nearly 2 years ago and priced themselves out of my market place.

Google fake parts one of the practical car mags did an eye opening article some years back!!

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

Where are you seeing the £19 for 4 OEM plugs?

Your own post said you'd bought four plugs for £19, which sounds 'oddly inexpensive'

Have you tried taking out one of your not very old plugs and seen if they are OK? (I bet they are...) That way you can save even more money

Genuine Fiat opens are £7.37 each from Shop4Parts, or, if you prefer, NGK plugs a little more (note, these are the 'standard' plugs) https://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=store&op=Product&ProdID=2362

 

[Greasytrucker]

I think I’m tapping out on this one…..I’m exhausted

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

I think I’m tapping out on this one…..I’m exhausted

GT: Time to change your plugs, maybe?

And @Adam1984 , I too 'am out' here, as the Dragons say. Your car has been fixed. So you can leave it alone now.
Enjoy the ride

 

[Greasytrucker]

GT: Time to change your plugs, maybe?

And @Adam1984 , I too 'am out' here, as the Dragons say. Your car has been fixed. So you can leave it alone now.
Enjoy the ride

 

[Mike1alike]

I'll give a slightly longer answer. The system that monitors the engine and its computers is called On Board Diagnostics, Version 2, or OBD2 for short.

It has one simple purpose; to ensure that emission control systems in the car are working properly. The key things it's looking at are what goes into the exhaust from the engine, and what comes out after the catalytic convertor. It will also check on things related to the engine running 'clean', such as how much fuel goes in, how much air comes in through the air filter and if its the same after the turbo (when fitted), and, on a diesel engine, if the exhaust gas recirculation system and diesel particulate filter are working properly - (again, two things to reduce emissions).

Now, if you spark plugs were faulty, or the supply to them from the coils and leads wasn't right, then the fuel might not be ignited properly and so the sensors might detect something 'wrong' with the exhaust gases. And if that were happening then you might, if it were to happen frequently enough, show an error. But no car is perfect, so the system checks during every drive, but only reports an issue if it happens three times in a row - to be sure it's not a 'false alarm'.

You are seeing no codes or lights. That means the system thinks your car is fine. That means you don't need to do anything to it. Until next year when the oil might need changing.

It doesn't go like that, actually.
The EML light will turn on and errors be stored if there are problems with the coils, leads, plugs or ECU on the coils circuits.
The errors are:
P0351 - Ignition Coil 'A' Primary/Secondary Circuit Malfunction.
This code is triggered when the engine control module detects faulty cylinder #1 ignition coil, damaged wiring or connections, or ECU issues.
P0352 - Ignition Coil “B” Primary/Secondary Circuit Malfunction
This code is typically triggered by a faulty cylinder #2 ignition coil, damaged wiring or connections, or PCM issues.

Bad coils can easily damage ECU because bad coil usually mens short-circuit and that gets the ECU transistors on the circuit toasted.

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

It doesn't go like that, actually.
The EML light will turn on and errors be stored if there are problems with the coils, leads, plugs or ECU on the coils circuits.
The errors are:
P0351 - Ignition Coil 'A' Primary/Secondary Circuit Malfunction.
This code is triggered when the engine control module detects faulty cylinder #1 ignition coil, damaged wiring or connections, or ECU issues.
P0352 - Ignition Coil “B” Primary/Secondary Circuit Malfunction
This code is typically triggered by a faulty cylinder #2 ignition coil, damaged wiring or connections, or PCM issues.

Bad coils can easily damage ECU because bad coil usually mens short-circuit and that gets the ECU transistors on the circuit toasted.

Yes - I omitted to mention it checks the ignition side of things too. But no faults have been reported and the plugs are only 3000 miles old… so I stand by my reply: no action needed. Just drive it.