Installed Bosch platinum 2 Plugs = ROUGH Idle + CEL

[ccdude]

I installed Bosch Platinum 2 plugs in my 02 XLT V6.

Started it up and I had a VERY Rough idle and when I took it over 55mph my CEL started to flash.

I went out and picked up cheap champion copper plugs and now runs great.



Any thoughts or similar experience?

 

[James909]

I have never been a fan of Bosch plugs. I have no personal experience where Bosch plugs have been a problem but I have heard enough horror stories that I will never use Bosch plugs again. From the incidents I have heard about I would consider yourself lucky that you just ended up with a rough idle that a set of new plugs fixed. Because I know of multiple incidents where Bosch plugs broke apart and resulted in internal engine damage. IIRC Maniak(a moderator here) had a Bosch plug break that resulted in valve damage. On a side note I have never been a fan of platinum plugs. I like the peace of mind of just using copper core plugs and changing them out more frequently, usually with Motorcraft.

 

[Donner]

Welcome! I went with AL double platinum... The vehicle runs much better than before, smoother...

 

[eureka24]

ford ignition systems are tuned for the copper plugs, and HATE anything else.

so unless you want to change the whole ignition system your stuck with copper core plugs.

 

[FineLineMtrsprts]

The main problem with the BOsch plugs is they run to hot. Even if you get a colder range they still run to hot and spark to much. We used to see them all the time at work. Guy would do his own tuneup and come in with a CEL saying well i did new plugs yesterday and got the best ones Autozone or Advance autoparts had they cost me 7 bucks each. Well sir heres the problem you need these plugs they are 3 bucks each...they scoff at the idea and then finally leave with a vehicle running perfectly with the correct spark plugs.

 

[Scott the Canuck]

Late reply, but Bosch plugs are not recommended for Ford as they have a tendency to blow out of the block.

 

[Cobraguy]

Late reply, but Bosch plugs are not recommended for Ford as they have a tendency to blow out of the block.

Has absolutely nothing to do with Bosch. It's Ford's better idea to use just three threads in the head of the mod motors. There are a helluva lot more Motorcraft plugs blown out of those heads than anything else. Not even close. Notice new 32V heads finally have 7 threads.

Bosch was on the letter Ford issued a few years ago. For some reason, they have ignition system problems with them in SOME cars. Just use the factory recommended plug and be done with it.

ford ignition systems are tuned for the copper plugs, and HATE anything else.

Huh??? Where in the world did you hear that?? Ford uses platinum plugs in many of their vehicles.

 

[Turdle]

Whoa!
This thread is full of dis information---

spark plugs do not shoot out of blocks. the engine is not tuned for copper plugs-in fact they come out of the factory with platinum plugs-

however, copper core will work fine. It is the spark plug internal impedance which is the concern.

Spark plugs with no, or very low impedance will not perform well in our trucks, due to the double spark combustion. The impedance helps the coil develop the high voltage quickly for the second spark. It also helps prevent cross firing and fouling.

At least, this is what the guy at Champion told me--

Bosch, and splitfire ( remember those) are both a low impedance plug.


Some cars work great with them. Others don't.

 

[aldive]

ford ignition systems are tuned for the copper plugs, and HATE anything else.

so unless you want to change the whole ignition system your stuck with copper core plugs.

Nonsense, utter nonsense.

 

[Cobraguy]

I think what he's talking about JT is the problem of plugs blowing out of heads on mod motors. In particular, V10's and Lightnings. But all mod motors were prone to that due to only three threads of engagement in the head. I personally lost one in a 5.4 Expedition. Ford is finally fixing this with new castings with more threads. Oh yea...all have aluminum heads.

 

[Cobraguy]

Nonsense, utter nonsense.

Better response than mine. I was trying to show some reasonable effort at being pc....

 

[mowermechanic]

DON"T PUT GERMAN PLUGS IN AN AMERICAN VEHICLE, ENOUGH SAID. AND DON"T BUY CHAMPION GARBAGE. i've seen SO many Champion plugs with the ground not lined up with the electrode, or pieces of the electrode come off from poor quality manufacturing... i'd buy autolite first.... I think the engineers who designed the vehicle, know which plug is best, by the way.

 

[Dan Whitaker]

Moral of the story.

The OP should have joined and searched before wasting his money on BOTCH plugs(spelled on purpose).

 

[Dan Whitaker]

DON"T PUT GERMAN PLUGS IN AN AMERICAN VEHICLE, ENOUGH SAID. AND DON"T BUY CHAMPION GARBAGE. i've seen SO many Champion plugs with the ground not lined up with the electrode, or pieces of the electrode come off from poor quality manufacturing... i'd buy autolite first.... I think the engineers who designed the vehicle, know which plug is best, by the way.

FORD does put German O2 sensors in from the factory so you know. They are stamped BOSCH right on them.

I've used champions for 20+ years and NEVER had a problem.

 

[Turdle]

DON"T PUT GERMAN PLUGS IN AN AMERICAN VEHICLE, ENOUGH SAID. AND DON"T BUY CHAMPION GARBAGE. i've seen SO many Champion plugs with the ground not lined up with the electrode, or pieces of the electrode come off from poor quality manufacturing... i'd buy autolite first.... I think the engineers who designed the vehicle, know which plug is best, by the way.

In the 70's and 80's they had bad problems, which caused this mindset with me also. I used to hang out at a racing shop in Lenexa Ks, where they would test everything before installing it into their alcohol funny car.
Champion plugs would foul out of the box @ 5000 SPM, 50,000 volts about 75 percent of the time, but they lasted longer in that application than ac delcos which fired cleaner. So, they had to check each plug and throw away the bad ones. I actually saw this with my own eyes. They had a high rate of "yellow" spark, rather than "blue". It was due to tainted doping in the ceramic if I remember correctly.


however, since being bought out-the name has gotten it's act together. They are an excellent choice now. It took some convincing on my part-

 

[mowermechanic]

I was just being ignorant on purpose. Bosch can't be too bad, because STIHL (one of the largest chainsaw manufacturers) uses BOSCH plugs and sometimes ignition systems from the factory. For the past 6 months, we've received poor quality plugs from Champion. I don't know if their small engine plugs are a different division, but it really makes me second guess putting their plugs in one of my rigs. Also i think the engineers who designed the vehicle, and have many degree's and years of experience, know which plug is best for which engine (platform application) and such. Though that doesn't say much, because i've seen some real crappy lawnmower designs.... lol. Briggs and Stratton are going downhill, along with HONDA (DON"T BUY AN EFFING HONDA, OR I WILL LAUGH AT YOU)

 

[donlightbody]

I got a 95 ex about a month ago and I'm getting rough idle when she's warmed up. found there's bosch platinums in there. I have some splitfire (conventional type single ground) platinums I got for my 88 BII 2.9. Think I should put them in and ditch the bosch? sound like you guys don't like bosch at all. I don't care much for the tiny eltrode explosure on the bosch, just seems like it'd foul easily.

 

[aldive]

When you replace the plugs, use Motorcraft or Autolite. Stay away from the gimmick plugs.

Good luck ........

 

[CmdrPopNFresh]

i think bottom line.....motorcraft.....they arent any more expensive than other brands and they are OEM parts.

 

[CALDWELL]

can anyone tell me what the difference is between...

Platinum and Double Platinum and Iridium PLUGS ????

after reading through the thread, im really confused about what plugs to buy when the time comes...

thanks boys !