Why I will never use Bosch Platinum Tip Plugs Again

[Boomyal]

Against my better judgement, 9000 miles ago I replace the 109k mi original OEM platinum plugs with these Bosch Platinum Tips. I've tried them in the past on other vehicles and things never seemed to run right. This time I let cost get the best of my experience and learned knowledge.<br /><br />This is out of my '91 Toyota Previa Van. When I finally replaced the plugs you could tell they were starting to break down. When I installed the Boschs, the car just never felt right and my gas mileage was in the tank. <br /><br />I've been meaning to change then for some time but with the prospect of my Daughter possibly driving the van to Cali, in July, I thought I should get off my rear. I was shocked when I pulled the first plug. There was no electrode left on it. They were all the same. This is probably why so many people here on iboats speak against these plugs.<br /><br />The other plug in the picture is the new OEM Nippondenso.<br /><br />

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[phatmanmike]

Re: Why I will never use Bosch Platinum Tip Plugs Again

thats how they are made. they are supposed to look like that.<br /><br /> http://www.boschautoparts.com/Products/SparkPlugs/Platinum.htm

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Why I will never use Bosch Platinum Tip Plugs Again

Yeah, I can see that on your link but it is a goofy design, IMHO and their performance, or lack thereof, in my Toyota sure bore that out. You could feel it in the throttle and the gas mileage was down to 12 mpg from 22. Even when the OEM's started to break down at 108k, I was still getting 22 mpg.

 

[rwise]

Re: Why I will never use Bosch Platinum Tip Plugs Again

I tried bosh plugs once, picked the old champians up off the ground and put them back in! It would not even start with the bosh in it.

 

[KaGee]

Re: Why I will never use Bosch Platinum Tip Plugs Again

i used to tinker with some of the glamour plugs... a sucker for the marketing I guess... I've pretty much been sticking with the OEM lately. Dance with the one that brung ya... probably the best way to go.

 

[DJ]

Re: Why I will never use Bosch Platinum Tip Plugs Again

I NEVER use anything but OEM. Regardless of what it is. Plugs, oil, filters, brakes, etc.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Why I will never use Bosch Platinum Tip Plugs Again

I think that Bosch ought to go back to the real world laboratory. I just review their site, as posted above, and even the two and four ground plugs have the same electrode design.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Why I will never use Bosch Platinum Tip Plugs Again

Depends on the vehicle, some like them others wont even run. I had an 87 Toyota pick-up that loved them, I put the four prong ones in my ranger 4 liter and in ran awefull.<br /><br />I have found that early Chevy small blocks love the NGK V groove plugs??????????????????

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Why I will never use Bosch Platinum Tip Plugs Again

I am so far out of my element when it comes to motors and plugs and stuff like that, but I did read about platinum spark plugs and it is exactly as Lubed the Bass Dude says, not for all cars, depends on the type of ignition system.<br /><br />Fwiw, if you have one of those modern ignition systems that pulses the plug (multiple sparks, not just one) and monitors the electrical resistance across the vapors in the cylinder, you can NOT use platinum plugs. They will deteriorate into nothing in a heart beat.

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Why I will never use Bosch Platinum Tip Plugs Again

Originally posted by 18rabbit:<br /> ...Fwiw, if you have one of those modern ignition systems that pulses the plug (multiple sparks, not just one) and monitors the electrical resistance across the vapors in the cylinder, you can NOT use platinum plugs. They will deteriorate into nothing in a heart beat.

I think you're talking about an IDE or EIDE ignition system. And I believe that you probably WANT platinum plugs, but need DOUBLE platinum, prefereably the ones from the OEM of your vehicle. There's another post in this thread about platinum plugs beside this one with some links to sites that explain the issues with EIDE systems and spark plugs.

 

[Rancherlee]

Re: Why I will never use Bosch Platinum Tip Plugs Again

Use Copper plugs and change them every 12,000 miles. NOTHING gets better fuel mileage then plain old cheap copper plugs. Platnium plugs require ALOT more spark energy to fire the plug. Unless it requires you to have 3 arms and 4 hours of labor to change the plugs you can't beat a copper plug.

 

[michael-lagrange]

Re: Why I will never use Bosch Platinum Tip Plugs Again

Why change if its working rite to start with.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Why I will never use Bosch Platinum Tip Plugs Again

Originally posted by hammer/time:<br /> Why change if its working rite to start with.

Bosch Platinum plugs-1.50$ each. Nippondenso OEM platinum plugs-8.50$ each. I guess that was a pretty strong reason to change, or at least try. Trouble is that in my case I have to pull out the passenger seat to change the plugs. If there was any reason not to gamble this time, it would have been for the difficulty to change them back.<br /><br />However, I'da been better off using a common 1.00$ copper core plug.