New Tech Spark Plugs

Old Crow

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Aug 1, 2005
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Do you feel there would be any benefit to stepping up to a platinum or iridium spark plug or should a person just stick to the tried and true OE
 

mrmushroomman

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Feb 27, 2008
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Re: New Tech Spark Plugs

Go with what the manual calls for and make sure it is a marine grade plug.
 

mrmushroomman

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Feb 27, 2008
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Re: New Tech Spark Plugs

Better to be safe than sorry, but you can try whatever plugs you want. There have been posts in the past about the different spark plugs used and preffered by others. Look back and try to find those posts and they might help you if you want to try something different.
 

BruceAML

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Feb 26, 2007
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Re: New Tech Spark Plugs

It would be helpful to tell us what engine you are talking about. As a general rule it takes more voltage to fire a platinum or iridium spark plug versus a copper electrode spark plug. Platinum and iridium are used to reduce maintenance costs by having a spark plug that will last 100,000 miles. In fact, an old outboard engine that uses points will run better with an old-fashioned standard spark plug because it takes less voltage to fire the spark plug.
 

Old Crow

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Re: New Tech Spark Plugs

It would be helpful to tell us what engine you are talking about. As a general rule it takes more voltage to fire a platinum or iridium spark plug versus a copper electrode spark plug. Platinum and iridium are used to reduce maintenance costs by having a spark plug that will last 100,000 miles. In fact, an old outboard engine that uses points will run better with an old-fashioned standard spark plug because it takes less voltage to fire the spark plug.

I've got a 2003 75hp 4 stroke (F75TLRB)
 

BruceAML

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Re: New Tech Spark Plugs

You should be using NGK LFR5A-11 spark plugs. Another point of caution is that so called equivalent spark plugs made by other manufacturers are not always equivalent. The heat ranges can and do vary. You could never put the amount of hours on your motor that a platinum or iridium plug is designed for. As a general rule of thumb, you should change spark plugs at a minimum, every season. It is also important to set the gap correctly and torque the spark plugs into the cylinder head. If you look at your owner's manual you can verify this. "Reading" a spark plug provides a wealth of information as to engine condition.
 

Old Crow

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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103
Re: New Tech Spark Plugs

An equivalent Iridium plug is NGK LFR5AIX-11.
After doing a little research,

Pro's
Better durability
Superior anti-corrosion, anti-seizing properties
More consistent spark
Better acceleration
Better fuel efficiency
Longer life
Improved cold starts

Con's
$1.50 more expensive

I'm going to give them a try.
 

CatTwentyTwo

Chief Petty Officer
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Jan 11, 2005
Messages
424
Re: New Tech Spark Plugs

Better acceleration AND better fuel efficiency! You need to let the engineers at Yamaha know about these plugs.
 

Old Crow

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Aug 1, 2005
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103
Re: New Tech Spark Plugs

I know it's just some sales pitch BS.
But I will say these "engineers" are designing a mass produced product made to satisfy many. What one guy may like the next guy may not.
There are allot of little things one could do to make it perform more to your specific needs/wants.
 

BruceAML

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Feb 26, 2007
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371
Re: New Tech Spark Plugs

The standard NGK spark plug for your application is a surface discharge model. They are used so that the spark plug will not foul in slow speed (trolling) applications and will also run well in high speed applications. I noticed that NGK also lists the iridium spark plug for your motor. You might want to contact them and ask them if the iridium is better suited for your engine. Here is the NGK telephone number. 1-877-473-6767.
 

Old Crow

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Re: New Tech Spark Plugs

I aready had a little chat with NGK.

FYI, A NGK LFR5A-11 is not a surface discharge plug.
 

Old Crow

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103
Re: New Tech Spark Plugs

A surface discharge plug has no grounding electrode, The NGK LFR5A-11 is a standard plug with a grounding electrode.
NGK is linking to the wrong picture.
Stop by you local parts store and touch one for yourself.
 

BruceAML

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Feb 26, 2007
Messages
371
Re: New Tech Spark Plugs

You are absolutely correct that it is not a surface discharge spark plug. NGK posted the wrong information in their web site. Irridium sounds like a good choice. Are you going to torque the spark plugs?
 
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