100K plugs do just fine...

[ufm82]

Granted, the gaps are big when it is time to change them out but they seem to do pretty well. I see .052"-.058" gaps go to .076" and worse and still run fine. They erode is a much better way than the older copper plugs. The platinum lasts very well. My '96 Taurus went 102,000 on the originals before it lost #1 cylinder in the coil pack- I did the plugs while I was doing the coil. They looked worn, but were firing. <br /><br /> I do plugs on vehicles ONLY when they miss. I see guys do "tune ups" on vehicles that have 20,000, 30,000 or 40,000 miles because the people driving them don't know any better. Used to be old cars needed it that soon- things have progressed beyond points and condensers and plugs that foul when you pump the gas too much. It just isn't like that anymore. Heck, 3,000 mile oil changes are a great marketing tool, but are rarely truly needed with today's oils and cleaner running engines.<br /><br /> 100,000 miles is easy. <br /><br />UFM82<br /><br />Ford Master Tech 1981-1994

 

[JB]

Re: 100K plugs do just fine...

Same experience with my ML320 (Shining Armor), UFM82. Gaps didn't open up that much, though. They averaged .005 over.<br /><br />It's a good thing, too, because the ML320 had 12 plugs that cost as though they should last 100K.<br /><br />When the ML430 (Ole Blue) reaches 100K it will want 16!

 

[JasonJ]

Re: 100K plugs do just fine...

We have a work truck, a 99 Chevy S-10, that has the 100k plugs. It is at 98,000-ish miles now and it still runs fine. I need to pull the plugs and check them. The modern computer controlled engines are very tolerant of plug issues I have found. My better half's Jeep Grand Cherokee had plugs that were horrible when we first met. i don't think they had ever been changed. Same with cap, rotor, and wires. Still ran fine, and when I replaced all of that, it still ran pretty much the same...

 

[dhammann]

Re: 100K plugs do just fine...

UFM82, I am glad to hear what you said. It is refreshing that someone else agrees with the recommended maintainance intervals. I also have a S-10 (1995) with 98k and a new set of plugs in the glove compartment waiting on 100k. I can't stand to see people throw hard earned money away! You can't argue with the owners manual...it is based on engineering data and not someone's personal opinion.

 

[ddaigle]

Re: 100K plugs do just fine...

You can run plugs for a long time, but remember that resistance is increasing in these old plugs ands wires and resistance builds heat in other parts of the ignition system. Heat destroys things. After a while you will start to see things like coils and internal distributor parts start to fry from the long term increased strain and heat. Its far cheaper and easier to change the plugs than other expensive parts. I learned the hard way.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: 100K plugs do just fine...

Bought a used 91 Astro from a friend for running to town for parts for the other toys. 115,000 on what looked like the original AC'S. Very rounded center wire, but ran great. Put in Bosch Plat's, no diff, and don't plaln on changing them for years. Run them in the Harleys too. Another thread had people giving Bosch Platinum a bad rap (it was the Oxygen sensor-not the plugs I think), but I have had no problem. And on the oil? Spring and Fall....regardless.

 

[bomar76]

Re: 100K plugs do just fine...

What are spark plugs?<br /><br />(from a long time diesel owner)

 

[jimr]

Re: 100K plugs do just fine...

hey i'm one that will bash bosch plats. in anything but imports use what the manufacturer reccommends. Bosch makes most of thew O2 sensors out there and do good at that. <br /> Anyone living in areas with salt used to control ice/snow you need to remove the plugs sooner than 100k or you might end up pulling the heads to get them out <br /> the 100k plug is for Normal driving conditions

 

[cajun555]

Re: 100K plugs do just fine...

Same on my 96 tauras 100k. Right now my 2000 astro has 151k, same plugs as new 18 miles, no miss. Love them plats. <br /><br />If I remember in the owners manual it recommends plug change at 100k on the dohc motor.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: 100K plugs do just fine...

Originally posted by jimr:<br /> hey i'm one that will bash bosch plats. in anything but imports use what the manufacturer reccommends.

Just how are the imports different from domestics in the way of combustion? And why do you bash Bosch Platiums?

 

[jimr]

Re: 100K plugs do just fine...

higher compression and hotter ignitions in the older (80's) cars. They work great in VW's porsche audi etc. for the run of the mill chevy,ford and dodge they are a waste of money.If they were so great don't you think they would come from the factory with them?

 

[rwise]

Re: 100K plugs do just fine...

I tried bosh plugs once, the engine would not even hit with them. picked the old champians up off the ground, put them back in the engine and returned the bosh plugs! I have never had any problem with running plugs 100k+ in any vehicle, pullem and cleanem from time to time putem back in and go.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: 100K plugs do just fine...

I have used Bosch platinums since they came out, always worked fine. I won't say they performed better, but they certainly have lasted longer.

 

[bluewater19]

Re: 100K plugs do just fine...

Both my 1994 chevy caprice and my 1999 suburban came with Delco platnum plugs. When I replaced the stock plugs on the caprice you could drive the car through the gap. My spark plug gapper doesn't even get that big. Both cars got the same plugs for replacements. My hondas both came with regular plugs and recomended 30k change intervals.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: 100K plugs do just fine...

Looks like the Bosch Plats just don't work in Oklahoma! (Where "jimr" and "rwise" reside)!<br />Anyway, I'm wondering if you guys gapped those plats? They NOT meant to be gapped...belive it says so right on the box. Pre-gapped for your ride. You stick anything in there, you screw up that fine wire in the insulator. And thats the part that last 100,000 miles. The ground doesn't wear as much as that center electrode. Every spark takes a little more away from it (an electron or so, but they add up). Kinda like welding. All I can say is, if a plug does not work for YOU, its probably the application or handling, not the plug. If they didn't work, they would have been out of business years ago. And I do believe Bosch know just a little more about electronics than most of us. They have been at it a long, long time.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: 100K plugs do just fine...

Originally posted by jimr:<br /> higher compression and hotter ignitions in the older (80's) cars. They work great in VW's porsche audi etc. for the run of the mill chevy,ford and dodge they are a waste of money.If they were so great don't you think they would come from the factory with them?

Why? Something to do with money. Do you have any idea how much GM can save by shaving a nickle off every car produced? And why does Harley charge double for the same damn plug Champ makes for everyone else? When the properties of electricity change their ways, I'll change my views.

 

[rwise]

Re: 100K plugs do just fine...

Robby<br />I did NOT gap the plugs they were already where they needed to be. The car would not start even push starting it! Picked the champs up off the ground, blew the dirt out of them, put them back in, started right up, never looked back and I for one will NOT try them again. Don't like bosh or samsung products, I have had nothing but trouble from them. Don't mean to step on your toes, and hey if they work for you, go for it!<br />Richard

 

[jimr]

Re: 100K plugs do just fine...

I have never installed bosch plats in anything. BUT I have taken them out of vehicles that had drivability problems and replaced them with what manufacturer called for and problems went away. The reason Harley charges what they do is because there are people willing to pay the price. you know the old joke HD=hundred dollars. If they work for you great I won't reccommend or install them just like power chips or split fire plugs.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: 100K plugs do just fine...

Last year I had some work done on my 98 GMC (350 Vortec) and decided since it had 98K+ miles I should have the plugs changed. I had them install whatever came in it. The net result was -- no change. Same great running, starting and fuel mileage.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: 100K plugs do just fine...

Originally posted by jimr:<br /> reccommend or install them just like power chips or split fire plugs.

Man. we sure agree on those POS Splitfire junk!