Platinum Spark Plugs
- Thread starter BillRo
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The best laided plans...
Consider this, IF, big IF your engine tune is spot on for the "life" of the spark plugs, then MAYBE you don't need to change them.
BUT, If those HIGH Tech plugs get contaminated by an incorrect A/F mixture, They will not preform like new.:------
AND, they are NOT as durable/rugged as the old style plugs, I have seen the SMALL center electrode knocked off.
YMMV.
DW
Consider this, IF, big IF your engine tune is spot on for the "life" of the spark plugs, then MAYBE you don't need to change them.
BUT, If those HIGH Tech plugs get contaminated by an incorrect A/F mixture, They will not preform like new.:------
AND, they are NOT as durable/rugged as the old style plugs, I have seen the SMALL center electrode knocked off.
YMMV.
DW
Depends on Ignition System
I had read somewhere that one should stick with copper plugs on older engines. I did a little searching on the Internet and found a good explanation of which plug to use when on the Advance Auto Parts website. https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/r/advice/car-maintenance/the-differences-between-spark-plugs
It comes down to the recommendation to stick with copper plugs IF one's car is running the standard ignition with breaker points. For a car with electronic distributor-based ignition, they recommend something called a single platinum spark plug - one with a small platinum disk welded onto the center electrode. The double platinum spark plug and the iridium spark plug should be used only on cars with distributorless ignition systems.
I had read somewhere that one should stick with copper plugs on older engines. I did a little searching on the Internet and found a good explanation of which plug to use when on the Advance Auto Parts website. https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/r/advice/car-maintenance/the-differences-between-spark-plugs
It comes down to the recommendation to stick with copper plugs IF one's car is running the standard ignition with breaker points. For a car with electronic distributor-based ignition, they recommend something called a single platinum spark plug - one with a small platinum disk welded onto the center electrode. The double platinum spark plug and the iridium spark plug should be used only on cars with distributorless ignition systems.
Plugs
A small birdie suggested I chime in:
The following is a paragraph from the referenced article;
Platinum spark plugs are usually the best spark plugs for newer vehicles with electronic distributor-based ignition systems (DIS). If your owner’s manual recommends platinum spark plugs, don’t downgrade to copper spark plugs to save money. However, you can upgrade to either double platinum spark plugs or iridium spark plugs.
Many Tiger owners have electronic distributors thus the above statement applies to our cars.
The GOOD SIDE; The smaller the electrode (electrons concentrate and love to jump off small sharp surfaces), the more likely the plug will fire with low voltage or in my experience, oil burning cylinders or errant mixture cylinders. I have had 2 stroke motors and oil consuming 4 strokes that would only run continuously on Iridium plugs. In these special instances, Iridium plugs saved my Butt. Because of this, I use Iridium in most of my vehicles.
The BAD SIDE; As DW mentioned, they seem to be less durable on occasion. I specifically lost the center ceramic from an Iridium plug on my small block Chevy (it was hardly used but had been installed for about 10 years). The sound of the bouncing ceramic was as scary as it gets. Thankfully, it blew out the exhaust valve and subsequent visual inspection showed no damage. I clearly dodged a bullet!
But in my case, even with a bad experience, I put Iridium's back in my Chevy and also put them in my Tiger in the hopes of eternal life!
Depending on your risk tolerance, and/or to play it super safe, use the Platinum's....
RJ
A small birdie suggested I chime in:
The following is a paragraph from the referenced article;
Platinum spark plugs are usually the best spark plugs for newer vehicles with electronic distributor-based ignition systems (DIS). If your owner’s manual recommends platinum spark plugs, don’t downgrade to copper spark plugs to save money. However, you can upgrade to either double platinum spark plugs or iridium spark plugs.
Many Tiger owners have electronic distributors thus the above statement applies to our cars.
The GOOD SIDE; The smaller the electrode (electrons concentrate and love to jump off small sharp surfaces), the more likely the plug will fire with low voltage or in my experience, oil burning cylinders or errant mixture cylinders. I have had 2 stroke motors and oil consuming 4 strokes that would only run continuously on Iridium plugs. In these special instances, Iridium plugs saved my Butt. Because of this, I use Iridium in most of my vehicles.
The BAD SIDE; As DW mentioned, they seem to be less durable on occasion. I specifically lost the center ceramic from an Iridium plug on my small block Chevy (it was hardly used but had been installed for about 10 years). The sound of the bouncing ceramic was as scary as it gets. Thankfully, it blew out the exhaust valve and subsequent visual inspection showed no damage. I clearly dodged a bullet!
But in my case, even with a bad experience, I put Iridium's back in my Chevy and also put them in my Tiger in the hopes of eternal life!
Depending on your risk tolerance, and/or to play it super safe, use the Platinum's....
RJ