Why shouldn't I use platinum plugs?
Mar 30, 2006 | 04:02 PM
#22
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From: Vancouver BC
Well, I am very familiar with Fords, and I will say that all DIS fords when combined with Bosch plugs end up with all kinds of drivability issues.... Some of the older ones are OK, but OK is all I will go... Autolite ( OE Ford ) and NGK are the safe bets..... Same as Chrysler... Champion or NGK.... and GM, AC Delco or NGK....
But on the flip side, If I owned a VW, or MB or BMW... I would say Bosch is a great product!
Just my thoughts........
But on the flip side, If I owned a VW, or MB or BMW... I would say Bosch is a great product!
Just my thoughts........
Mar 31, 2006 | 01:18 AM
#24
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From: so.cal
ive had the bosch +2 in for over 20K mi and have not seen a decrease in perf or mileage. very little change over what was in there before (???).
i lik them in the 22re, but not in a blazer (i traded it for the runner
) or in my 510. ive personally noticed that the +2 worked better in a FI vs carb.
that being said, when the times comes i will go w/ the ngk. its whats in the 510. ill try to remember to
when i do
i lik them in the 22re, but not in a blazer (i traded it for the runner
) or in my 510. ive personally noticed that the +2 worked better in a FI vs carb.that being said, when the times comes i will go w/ the ngk. its whats in the 510. ill try to remember to
when i do
Mar 31, 2006 | 11:19 AM
#27
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From: ABQ/Ft. Collins
i might be mistaken but it seems like the dual electrode idea is a gimmick. electricity takes the path of least resistance, so it will chose ONE of the electrodes not split between two. i installed the dual e boschs and after a month the truck ran like crap. took it to the shop and they put in stock single ones and it runs great now.
Mar 31, 2006 | 11:22 AM
#28
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Originally Posted by rowdy4runnin
i might be mistaken but it seems like the dual electrode idea is a gimmick. electricity takes the path of least resistance, so it will chose ONE of the electrodes not split between two. i installed the dual e boschs and after a month the truck ran like crap. took it to the shop and they put in stock single ones and it runs great now.
Mar 31, 2006 | 12:16 PM
#30
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From: Fort Worth, TX
The dual electrodes appear to be there to generate more spark... BUT the Iridium design is designed to do the same thing with a smaller primary electrode and different materials.
http://www.globaldenso.com/PLUG/power/features.html
What does size have to do with it? Less voltage is required for a smaller center electrode and results in better ignitability. The smaller the electrode, the more centralized the electrical potential is around the electrode tip. The required voltage can be reduced because the level of the electric field is made stronger and local insulation (air gap and electrode surface oxidation) breaks down more easily. The bottom line is that it takes approximately 5,000 volts less to fire a Denso Iridium Power spark plug versus a conventional platinum spark plug.
So why not just make a smaller diameter electrode spark plug out of platinum? It just wouldn't last. The small-diameter center electrode reaches much higher temperatures. Iridium's melting point is 700 degrees C higher than platinum, and laboratory tests have shown that with the same-size electrode iridium, plugs were four to five times as resistant to wear as platinum. Much of Denso's R&D went into finding the perfect iridium alloy (90% iridium, 10% rhodium) that would provide 200,000 miles of service, and working out the manufacturing process to "draw" the electrode into the extremely small .4mm-diameter wire.
So why not just make a smaller diameter electrode spark plug out of platinum? It just wouldn't last. The small-diameter center electrode reaches much higher temperatures. Iridium's melting point is 700 degrees C higher than platinum, and laboratory tests have shown that with the same-size electrode iridium, plugs were four to five times as resistant to wear as platinum. Much of Denso's R&D went into finding the perfect iridium alloy (90% iridium, 10% rhodium) that would provide 200,000 miles of service, and working out the manufacturing process to "draw" the electrode into the extremely small .4mm-diameter wire.
Last edited by DavidA; Mar 31, 2006 at 12:24 PM.
Mar 31, 2006 | 12:29 PM
#31
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From: Fort Worth, TX
More interesting info from the Denso website: http://www.globaldenso.com/PLUG/config/index2.html
Semi-Surface Double Electrode Plug
(Example) W20ETR-S11
･ A double ground electrode with a 1mm gap is used.
･ Using a short opposed-type dual ground electrode, excellent durability is obtained.
･ Improved ignitability because it is fully projected.
･ With the new addition of a supplementary gap, fouling resistance is improved.
･ Used for Toyota and Daihatsu.
Semi-Surface Double Electrode Plug
(Example) W20ETR-S11
･ A double ground electrode with a 1mm gap is used.
･ Using a short opposed-type dual ground electrode, excellent durability is obtained.
･ Improved ignitability because it is fully projected.
･ With the new addition of a supplementary gap, fouling resistance is improved.
･ Used for Toyota and Daihatsu.
Mar 31, 2006 | 12:33 PM
#32
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From: Fort Worth, TX
I found the answer on using Single electrode vs. Dual Electrode and Iridium.
http://www.globaldenso.com/PLUG/qa/tech/qa_8.html
http://www.globaldenso.com/PLUG/qa/tech/qa_8.html
Can I replace my double, triple, or quadruple electrode plugs to Iridium Power or Iridium Tough?
This is possible. The reason: because of the 0.4mm center electrode in Iridium Power and Iridium Tough plugs, they have a lower spark voltage compared to double, triple, and quadruple electrode plugs. Please refer to the Standard Resistor Model Quick Chart.
This is possible. The reason: because of the 0.4mm center electrode in Iridium Power and Iridium Tough plugs, they have a lower spark voltage compared to double, triple, and quadruple electrode plugs. Please refer to the Standard Resistor Model Quick Chart.
Apr 5, 2006 | 11:49 AM
#33
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From: Montreal, QC Canada
Originally Posted by rowdy4runnin
i might be mistaken but it seems like the dual electrode idea is a gimmick. electricity takes the path of least resistance, so it will chose ONE of the electrodes not split between two. i installed the dual e boschs and after a month the truck ran like crap. took it to the shop and they put in stock single ones and it runs great now.
Apr 5, 2006 | 12:17 PM
#34
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From: Fort Worth, TX
I just caught the fact that Denso said the Iridiums were designed for up to 200,000 miles of service life. That is pretty neat. So if you take the time you spend swapping out plugs every 30+k and the cost of the plugs...plus the fact that the Iridums require less voltage to ignite...supposely better combustion, etc...I think they are a good deal. Especially since they are less than $8 each now.
Apr 5, 2006 | 03:38 PM
#36
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From: NY
Do you guy's with the Denso iridium feel as if you need to run a higher octane?
When I put 87 in mine it runs ĊĊĊĊty but when I go up to 89 or 92 it is ten times better.
Do the iridiums require a higher octane?
When I put 87 in mine it runs ĊĊĊĊty but when I go up to 89 or 92 it is ten times better.
Do the iridiums require a higher octane?
Apr 6, 2006 | 06:57 AM
#38
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From: Montreal, QC Canada
Originally Posted by DavidA
I just caught the fact that Denso said the Iridiums were designed for up to 200,000 miles of service life. That is pretty neat. So if you take the time you spend swapping out plugs every 30+k and the cost of the plugs...plus the fact that the Iridums require less voltage to ignite...supposely better combustion, etc...I think they are a good deal. Especially since they are less than $8 each now.
Apr 6, 2006 | 07:53 AM
#39
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From: Spencer, Iowa
I run 89 octane gas (10% ethanol) all the time with no problems whatsoever. Even though the iridiums recommend a 200k mileage change interval, I would change them more often than that. No matter what plug I run, I'll never run them longer than 50-60,000 miles. Maybe iridiums would last for 100k?
Jan 18, 2007 | 08:57 AM
#40
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Two problems I noticed with Bosch platinum +4 plugs. 1). Decreased performance. When the plugs were in, my '02 3.4 hesitated, idled irradically and stumbled when under hard acceleration. 2). Decreased MPG. When I installed the platinums, my mpg went from 17-18 to 14-15...a pretty big difference when gas is so expensive. I've put in new NGK's dual electrode and my mpg is even better than before!
I kept my Bosch Platinum +4's in for about 3000 miles and found they're among the worst plugs out there. Stay with the stock NGK's: they perform better, last longer and will give you better mpg!
I kept my Bosch Platinum +4's in for about 3000 miles and found they're among the worst plugs out there. Stay with the stock NGK's: they perform better, last longer and will give you better mpg!
I going to put Denso's in it tonight
