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  #1  
Old 06-06-2006, 11:06 PM
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why not platinum plugs?

I have always heard that Bosch plugs should be used, but the el-cheapo Bosch Super, not the fancy Platinum plugs...what happens if you use the other plugs? Is this an urban myth, or is it real?

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  #2  
Old 06-06-2006, 11:23 PM
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Davestlouis,

(Good to "see" you on this forum!)

It is NOT a myth with the older Benzes. I believe it has to do with the higher temperature range of the Platinum plugs. You want the right amount of spark at the right temp for your specific engine. More is not always better! And in this case it turns out that "better" isn't even always better! I would look it up in my service or owners manual and give a nice techy answer, but I'm afraid I accidentally left them both at my parents' house on my last visit (oh well, it's just added incentive to see them again soon!).
Mike
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  #3  
Old 06-06-2006, 11:49 PM
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i have used them quite a bit. i have them in my 500sec. they have been in there for about 50k. recently i pulled one and was going to change them but they looked like new so i put it back in.

my indie always says to put the original equipment back into the cars. he has even removed my platinum plugs and put in champions. i almost killed him.

personally i think it is an urban myth perpetrated by the plug mfgrs to help mechanics make money and sell plugs. i dont think my indie would lie i just think he is wrong on this point.

i just put bosch platinum four thingies into the pt cruiser. it was missing badly but now it will peel out! i put new plug wires on too. couldnt find any bosch wires for it.

tom w
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Old 06-07-2006, 12:00 AM
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I have enough issues with my cars that I don't want to introduce new ones by putting improper parts on them...and $1.19 a piece was plenty cheap, so I went ahead and bought the Bosch Super. Now I have to wait for the plug wires, Bosch of course, cap and rotor, Bosch too and then I'll do the whole shebang at the same time. The other parts are being shipped.

I'm in a mode of trying to not just stay even with the ongoing deterioration and decay, but trying to get ahead of it on all of these cars. I'm finding that staying organized is the hard part, remembering what I have done on which car, when. I started putting together to-do lists on each car but the list is so long that I found it depressing. Even the "modern" cars have all sorts of problems: funny shifting on the Jeep, needs a GPS sensor and solenoid, wheel alignment is way off AGAIN, timing belt is due (way overdue) on the Kia, it needs 4 tires too. I try to do something to improve each car, every week, even if it's something small and token, like a new fog lamp bulb in the 560SL this evening.
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  #5  
Old 06-07-2006, 12:06 AM
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No to hijack my own thread, but I have found that I don't begrudge a 30 year old car acting-up now and then, but it gripes me to no end when a late-model car misbehaves...
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  #6  
Old 06-07-2006, 12:47 AM
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Quote:
1972 W114 250
1978 W116 280SE
1979 W116 450SE euro
Which Vintage MB are putting platinums into? My 280SEL w116 m110 came with platinums installed that I never changed. It ran like a bat out of hell.
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  #7  
Old 06-07-2006, 06:57 AM
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dave.

only way to keep track of multiple cars is to have a log in each car. if you dont you wont even be able to keep track of oil changes.

i have been doing it for years with multiple cars to keep up.

tom w
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  #8  
Old 06-07-2006, 09:45 AM
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Alloy pistons will melt if the plugs are too hot. It happens regularly in motorcycles (albeit a little more quickly due to the higher state of tune).
Have you had the heads off to check the pistons? In Australia 380 pistons are $450 ea.
Bosch supers are $2.90 and platinums are $25.00
Platinums last 90,000km
Supers last 20,000km

That means that for every platinum plug you have to change the supers 4.5 times.
4.5 x $2.90= $13.00

Thats half the price!!!

Oh, it does take about 4 minutes to change the plugs on the 300e.
And there is no risk of holed pistons!

Win win situation. Go with the old.
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  #9  
Old 06-07-2006, 03:00 PM
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The question isn't why not, but why...

I had put the plat +4 plugs into my 560SL during a tune up I did and when it went it for the timing chain the tech insisted I go back to standard Bosch plugs. He said in his experience the platinum plugs cause problems at idle and he's had several customers come back with rough idle due to fouling of the plugs. I can only say that since the timing chain was done and the plugs were changed back to the non-platinum the car idles smooth as glass and runs superbly...instead of asking why not platinum, just ask WHY...if a mechanic wants you to use a CHEAPER alternative part there has to be a reason for it, IMHO.
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  #10  
Old 06-07-2006, 03:58 PM
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Plats are Resistor plugs ,, you do not want resistor plugs on the older ignition systems ..they tax the coil/ecu..
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  #11  
Old 06-07-2006, 07:07 PM
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Ask anyone who really knows MB's and has been working on them for years. They will say use the cheap Bosch copper plugs. All they way up to the late 90's actualy. The M112 V6 and the M113 V8 are some of the first engines that require plat plugs.

Spend your money on something else, buy the $2 plugs.
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  #12  
Old 06-07-2006, 07:17 PM
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Despite advice to the contrary, I had excellent results using standard Bosch Platinums in my '72 250 sedan for over 10 years. In fact, the one time I tried the Supers to save money, I experienced fouling during cold weather.
I'm now trying a set of Platinums in Miss Daisy, my '60 Fintail. 10 months so far without problems, but I don't put that many miles on her.

Happy Motoring, Mark
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  #13  
Old 06-07-2006, 08:05 PM
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Plats foul out

This is from what I have heard, but I have heard it here on this forum, and from people whom have been working on old benzes (early 70's and newer) and this is what they have told me:

The older motors (M130 etc.) burn much dirtier than new ones, and foul out newer platinum plugs, because the electrode size is much smaller. The copper plugs have much bigger electrodes, so they dont foul out as quickly.

I go for the cheapo plugs... But I get to replace them every 5k miles, 2qts of oil per tank of gas does quite a good job on fouling out plugs! (its a 71 280SE by the way)
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  #14  
Old 06-07-2006, 09:41 PM
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I have seen more runability complaints due to Platinum plugs on Mercedes than anything else.

Use Bosch Supers. If you can't get those, or can only get the Indian ones, go to NGK, again non- platinum. If you're having fouling problems, use Split Fire plugs.
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  #15  
Old 06-07-2006, 10:01 PM
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The worst ignitions to attemp plats on are the Benz 104 HFM/SFI engines . These are distributorless ignitions systems with coil over plug , waste spark systems. They use 1 coil to fire two cylinders by running the 2 plugs in a series circuit. The problems arise because the first plug fires from the electrode to ground ,but the second plug , being in a series circuit from the first plug, must now fire from the ground to the electrode..and the plats electrode is so fine, it just can't cut the mustard. Anyone with experience with a 104 will tell you to run Bosch Super Coppers , no other ..specially on waste spark ignition..
..and any Older Benz with resistor end on the plug wires require Non Resistor plugs, as the resistance specs for the ignition is already in the plug connectors.. so adding a R plug taxes the entire system beyound spec............

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