Spark Plugs for C36

[JT]

Does anyone have any thoughts or experience using Bosch platinum +4's in an inline 6 or a C36 in particular?

Do a search in this forum. There have been many discussions regarding copper -vs- platinum plugs.

Good Luck

[amg kodiak]

I recently changed the plugs on my C36. I used the newer platinum +2's from bosch. After about 1000 miles on the car, I have pulled the platinums and gone back to Bosch Supers (copper, F8DC4). The plaque on the hood says specifically which plugs to use, bosch F8DC0. They also list an equivlent champion plug to use.

My advice is to stick with what the guys at AMG said- bosch copper. The real question is, what is the difference between the F8DC4's and F8DC0? I know the that the zero suffix refers to the electrode being wider, but are there other differences?

~dnm

[BongC36]

I too cannot locate the AMG-specified Bosch F8DC0 so I installed Bosch F9DC0 instead. This is what is called for in the official AMG-MB publication S-2635-095 (C 36 AMG introduction into sevice). The owner's manual as well as the hood sticker speficifies F8DC0.

I checked on the Bosch website and they specify F8DC4 for the 1995 C 36. Anybody with definite info on this?

[Arthur Dalton]

F8DC4 has replaced F8DCO...

There is a lot of marketing hype about spark plugs. As usual, misguided hopes which result just cost us money, and don’t produce real results.

In my testing, the Bosch +4 and the NGK 3’s only advantage is allowing 4, or 3, opportunities for a single spark path, the one better path at any given time get the nod. That may explain some good impressions about the plug, (i.e., a spark path more easily presents itself) but I ask, at what cost? …and why? …when far better spark technology is available. This technology makes marginal most of our mussing about plugs. However, I would recommend NGK because they have the finest ceramics, are well made and are not too costly.

MB spark is amongst the highest energy in the first place. However, ever seen most sparks at the plug? Add the effect of compression, and things seem even less impressive. The bottom line is that we are trying to affect as many air-fuel molecules at one time to effect a positive ignition each and every time. Nothing more, nothing less.

The way to affect the most air/fuel molecules is with increased energy, not increased duration. A stringy spark lasting a longer time still affects only a fraction of the air/fuel molecules than the massive plasma sphere produced with a peaking capacitor. It ignites the leanest and richest of mixtures, and one does not have to use costly spark plugs with multiple spark pathways. Install DirectHits and stop worrying about the performance of your sparkplugs.


Mark Shinnick

[AMG CE 36]

My sticker says Bosch F8DC0 (which might be replaced by F8DC4)
or Beru 14F-8 DUO
or Champion C 10 YCC

L.