Sparkplugs Go Platinum or go home?

[Heuster]

Waiting for some help on an A/C issue might as well ask a spark plug question. I engaged the checker guy in some ignition help and he went through several options with spark plugs. There are lots of options with plugs....but what is the best solution for performance and fuel economy? do you go with the double platinum? Iridium? Is a Platinum+4 worth the cost?

What does everyone else use?

 

[eXcali]

I've seen a number of auto shows do the tests and the fancy iridium proved little to no increase over your basic OEMs. As for the Bosh +4s, I personally have never seen them do any good. The shows also tested the +4s and they routinely sparked off only 1 or 2 of the leads, not off all 4 as bosh wants you to believe. If your looking for a good strong spark, horsepower TV rated the E3's the best it even gave a slight HP increase.

For saving $$ I'd go autolites. The standards OEM as I hear the explorers have issues with the bosch.

 

[celly]

Go Motorcraft Double Plat. OEM is best. Simple choice.

 

[eXcali]

Go Motorcraft Double Plat. OEM is best. Simple choice.

bah, motorcrafts, that's the name I was trying to think of.

 

[Spdrcer34]

OEM Spec is Platinum Plugs. Nothing less.

I just bought a 4.0L motor for my X, and it had a bad misfire. I pulled the plugs and they were Bosch Platinum +4's. They looked good, none fouled, nothing LOOKED out of place, but I have heard similar stories about the +4's missing, so I replaced. I bought new Motorcraft Double Platinums, gapped them to .055 (spec is .052 - .056) and the misfire went away. I almost went with the Standard Platinum Plugs (P). But for 1.00 more for the 2 pack of Plugs from Wal-Mart, I bought the Double Platinums (PP)

Ryan

 

[Heuster]

Go Motorcraft Double Plat. OEM is best. Simple choice.

where is the best online place to Motorcraft double platinum plugs? rockauto doesn't carry them, checker...is that a dealer only purchase?

 

[eXcali]

where is the best online place to Motorcraft double platinum plugs? rockauto doesn't carry them, checker...is that a dealer only purchase?

If your auto parts guy asked if it's a "dealer only purchase" don't ever take his/her advice again. That's almost like asking if the oil or washer fluid is dealer only. They should be able to look on their computers and find the OEM plug for your explorer, or the equivilent incase they don't have it on-hand.

 

[briwayjones]

where is the best online place to Motorcraft double platinum plugs? rockauto doesn't carry them, checker...is that a dealer only purchase?

If you have trouble finding them you can go Autolite Double Platinums too. Stay away from Bosch plugs though.

 

[2000XPLORERSPORT]

i put bosh platinum 4 irridium's in my 2000 ex with the 4,ol ohv and taylor 8.8mm wires over 2 years ago. the truck runs fine with them. im not saying there the best, but i have not yet had any issues with them in about 30,000 miles.

 

[celly]

Motorcraft and Autolite are manufactured in the same facility. As someone mentioned, Autolite Double Plats will suffice.

I was in the US recently and found Motorcrafts at every parts store I checked out. Advance and Reilly's are two that ring a bell.

Bosch suck. Plain and simple. Here is the latest documented Bosch Nightmare. I've read many more through the years.

 

[my98nnj]

Wallmart sells Autolite Plats as well. Price is right.

 

[2000XPLORERSPORT]

Motorcraft and Autolite are manufactured in the same facility. As someone mentioned, Autolite Double Plats will suffice.

I was in the US recently and found Motorcrafts at every parts store I checked out. Advance and Reilly's are two that ring a bell.

Bosch suck. Plain and simple. Here is the latest documented Bosch Nightmare. I've read many more through the years.

well,i have no problems with my bosh.would it be reccomended to change them out anyway? do you think i will gain any performance? im thinking about trying to switch to the plugs all you say to use.one of them anyway.

 

[celly]

well,i have no problems with my bosh.would it be reccomended to change them out anyway? do you think i will gain any performance? im thinking about trying to switch to the plugs all you say to use.one of them anyway.

A spark plug is a spark plug is a spark plug on the performance front. Copper core plugs are the cheapest, but don't last as long. I'm actually using Autolite copper cores right now because several people whose judgement I trust very much recommend them. Supposedly, they have a hotter "spark" so in theory you'll get marginally better peformance.

Platinum plugs just last longer, but keeping them in for 100,000 miles isn't the way to go either because they may wear down earlier and they can also get seized up in your block. Fords just seem to like Motorcrafts or Autolites better based on anecdotal evidence I've seen in many places. On the same note, Bosch and Ford don't seem to work well together. Iridium plugs seem gimmicky too and you don't see any real benefit from what I've seen.

I did NGK in my last Explorer and they were fine. I know of people who have had decent success with them. NGK focus their efforts on the import marketplace. Autolite/Motorcraft focus on domestics.

To me, it's a no brainer. Go with a copper core plug if you plan to change them more frequently (20,000 miles is the period I've been told) or Double Platinum if you want to go longer. Use Autolite or Motorcraft and you'll be happy.

I am by no means an expert on this topic. Far from it. I base my comments on scouring the archives and on the opinions of some pretty experienced wrenchers on this site (including one of our more respected site sponsors).

 

[Dan Whitaker]

I'm running NGK V-Groove copper plugs and love them. They run 1/2 the cost of what the BS platinum plugs do.

I have never liked & never will like platinum plugs.

 

[techieman33]

Go copper plugs if you don't have a problem with changing them more often, it's a 20 minutes job on the v8 explorers so no point in not changing them a little early. Stick with autolite or motorcraft (ford). Most auto parts stores, and even walmart should have at least one of the two.

 

[chance942]

Champion

 

[gatzdon]

This is what Bosch platinum got me.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=251132

I definitely don't recommend them.

 

[2000XPLORERSPORT]

if ngk plugs are more for import, why do the monster trucks run them in there 1500 + horsepower trucks? im not disagreeing with you, i always thought that to. but for them to use ngk plugs....

i was thinking about switching to the e3's after seeing that episode on horsepower tv.any thoughts on them?

 

[techieman33]

All of that stuff you see on horsepower tv is one big commercial. They get paid to report improvements with that kind of stuff.

 

[chance942]

NGK plugs are great for anything.

You could have 10 grounds on a plug...what path does electricity follow?