Spark Plug Debate

[Roncallo]

Gentelmen

I have seen many posts recomending not to use Bosh Platinum 4 plugs. But most of these were in response to people having trouble with getting there engine started or rough idel ect. I have been using Bosch Platinum 4 plugs in my 1988 560SL for about 5000 miles now and so far it starts and runs well. Since I put these plugs in the car as soon as I got it I have nothing to compare it to. I went to the platinum because it was a newer technology than what was available in 1988 and they work so well as standard equipment in both my Fords where I change plugs at 60,000 miles wether they need it or not. So far the Fords never really needed the plugs to be changed at the 60,000 mile interval. All I can say is that Bosch platinum 4 plugs do not make my car hard to start or idel rough. But I cant really say anythigh good or bad about them. So what are the issues. Does anyone have any real A to B comparisons of plug usage with real good fully functioning vehicals.

I do know plugs can make a difference. In the early 80's I found that there was a noticable difference in the idel charicteristics of Toyota's with Nipondenso vs champion plugs. Nipondenso being noticably smoother.

Also aside from platinum 4's what about straight platinum. My car calls for a Bosch W9DC0. I have currently installed 4479's, What about W9DP's.


John Roncallo

[sokoloff]

Mercedes has a technical bulletin out about the platinum plugs. Says not to use them. Not sure what engines it covers since my diesels don't have to worry about that issue.

Len

[Roncallo]

Originally Posted by sokoloff

Mercedes has a technical bulletin out about the platinum plugs. Says not to use them. Not sure what engines it covers since my diesels don't have to worry about that issue.

Len

Does anyone have a copy of this bulliten

Thank You
John Roncallo

[Hatterasguy]

I think the non resister Bosch plugs run about .90 cents each. Just buy a set and see if you notice a difference. It could be an interesting experiment.

Since I have a diesel I don't follow this, but I was always told to use copper non resister plugs in MB's, unless it is an M112/M113. The newer engines use the long life platinum plugs like everyone else.

[mctwin2kman]

The spark plug wires have a 1K Ohm resistor in them in the end connector. Thus adding a plug with more resistance you are actually taking away spark. Also increasing chamber temps due to the hotter spark of the Platinum 4 plug. Some have no issues, others cars will not run smooth with them. But in the end you want a non-resistor plug for the older Merc's so you get as much spark as posssible.

[c_ron]

Here's my (recent) experience -
I bought my 96E320 last summer, with just under 50k miles. It had been driven very little the prior two or so years (100mi/mo ? +/-).

I took several driving/sightseeing 1000 mi. roundtrips, getting used to the car (and it to me). The highway mileage, using CC @ 74-75 mph, was consistently 25mpg...right on the EPA hwy. estimate.

I recently had an independent shop which had been maintaining the car for the prior owner perform the recommended 60k mi. service, which included the installation of new plugs which I'd already bought - the Bosch double electrode plugs.

I've taken one 600 mi. R/T since that servicing and got just over 27mpg for the trip. (I also had the formerly rather noisy rear Michelin XGT's shaved just before the trip...waht a difference in ride and noise!)

So, I don't know if the new plugs are responsible for the rather dramatic increase in hwy mileage, but it would seem so.

Opinions?

[Duke2.6]

Originally Posted by Roncallo

Gentelmen

I have seen many posts recomending not to use Bosh Platinum 4 plugs. But most of these were in response to people having trouble with getting there engine started or rough idel ect. I have been using Bosch Platinum 4 plugs in my 1988 560SL for about 5000 miles now and so far it starts and runs well. Since I put these plugs in the car as soon as I got it I have nothing to compare it to. I went to the platinum because it was a newer technology than what was available in 1988 and they work so well as standard equipment in both my Fords where I change plugs at 60,000 miles wether they need it or not. So far the Fords never really needed the plugs to be changed at the 60,000 mile interval. All I can say is that Bosch platinum 4 plugs do not make my car hard to start or idel rough. But I cant really say anythigh good or bad about them. So what are the issues. Does anyone have any real A to B comparisons of plug usage with real good fully functioning vehicals.

I do know plugs can make a difference. In the early 80's I found that there was a noticable difference in the idel charicteristics of Toyota's with Nipondenso vs champion plugs. Nipondenso being noticably smoother.

Also aside from platinum 4's what about straight platinum. My car calls for a Bosch W9DC0. I have currently installed 4479's, What about W9DP's.


John Roncallo

The issue is really RESISTOR versus NON-RESISTOR plugs. Merc and Audi and some other German OEs us NON-RESISTOR spark plugs. Now if you install resistor plugs you change the voltage wave form at the electrode, which can lead to driveability and idle quality problems and can also cause higher emissions when tested in the field. Since many older Mercs don't have a lot of margin on emissions you don't need to install a part that may increase emissions.

Since very few modern cars use non-resistor plugs, they can be hard to find at McParts, but Mercedes parts specialists like Fastlane stock correct OE non-resistor Bosch replacement plugs and can have them at your doorstep as soon as the next day.

I tried the Bosch single electrode resistor type platinum plugs that I bought at McParts for less than two bucks, each in my car back in the late eighties, and they increased idle roughness and emissions. I now will only use the correct OE replacement Bosch Super copper core, nickel electorde NON-RESISTOR plugs - H9DC.

Multi-electrode plugs are junk. All that cold metal (relative to flame front temperature) is a good way to quench an insipient flame. It's pure marketing BS and may actually degrade engine performance and increase emission due to greater misfire frequency.

Duke

[A264172]

I cant rember who posted this link (was it Kestas?) but I found it interesting enough to bookmark.

http://www.robertstanley.biz/firestorm.htm

This might be a little off the topic of this thread (not directly related to platinums vs coppers...) but I thought it might be a good place to get some feed back on it and get it a little exposure.

Edit: So as to actually contribute to the point of the thread... If you run coppers (at about ¼ the price) you could change them more often and have cleaner plugs and less siezed threads... though the right amount of anti sieze prevents that as well.