Platinum spark plugs?

[Yousuf Khan]

Can anyone tell me the pros & cons of going with a platinum spark plug
over a regular copper one? Same question for the super-high-end iridium
plugs.

Yousuf Khan

 

[1 Lucky Texan]

Can anyone tell me the pros & cons of going with a platinum spark plug
over a regular copper one? Same question for the super-high-end iridium
plugs.

        Yousuf Khan

extended change interval - maybe last 3 times longer.

I don't think there's anything else.

?????

 

[clare]

extended change interval - maybe last 3 times longer.

I don't think there's anything else.

?????

The iridium "fine-wire" plugs will fire at a lower voltage - and
therefore MAY fire more reliably. They are more resistant to fouling
(slightly)

As far as Plats are concerned, if the engine is waste-fire (double
ended coil) using single platinums is a waste of money - dual
platinums are required to do the job properly.

My beaf with the long life plugs is unless you pull them to check them
at about half life, there is a good chance they won't come out, at
least in one piece, when required.

 

[Yousuf Khan]

extended change interval - maybe last 3 times longer.

I don't think there's anything else.

?????

So the hype is warranted?

Yousuf Khan

 

[Yousuf Khan]

As far as Plats are concerned, if the engine is waste-fire (double
ended coil) using single platinums is a waste of money - dual
platinums are required to do the job properly.

The single platinums were only $1.50 more than the non-platinums, so the
cost is no big deal. Why are dual platinums required? What's the difference?

My beaf with the long life plugs is unless you pull them to check them
at about half life, there is a good chance they won't come out, at
least in one piece, when required.

Doesn't anti-seize lubricant prevent them from having trouble coming out?

Yousuf Khan

 

[clare]

The single platinums were only $1.50 more than the non-platinums, so the
cost is no big deal. Why are dual platinums required? What's the difference?

The platinum tip is designed to keep the electrode from "eroding" due
to electron transfer (I think that's what it is called) - with waste
spark half the plugs fire backwards - so it is the gtound electrode
that "erodes" - dual plats have platinum wafer on both electrodes.

Doesn't anti-seize lubricant prevent them from having trouble coming out?

It helps. Too much can cause other problems (like misfire)
I've seen plugs installed with antiseize that would not come out 5
years later.

 

[Todd H.]

Can anyone tell me the pros & cons of going with a platinum spark plug
over a regular copper one? Same question for the super-high-end
iridium plugs.

I've been told they're bad news in these engines and to stick with a
regular NGK.

 

[1 Lucky Texan]

I've been told they're bad news in these engines and to stick with a
regular NGK.

my wife's Outback (H6) has them from the factory.

???

 

[YKhan]

Todd H.
2001 Legacy Outback Wagon, 2.5L H-4
Chicago, Illinois USA

Second question, is it worth my time to try to change my own spark
plugs? Today I tried doing it, and found everything was too cramped.
Is this something that's easier done from underneath? A few of the
wires were easily accessible, mostly the front cylinders, but the rear
cylinders seem to be highly congested. I left them alone for now,
awaiting opinions. Mine's an 2.5L H4 too.

Yousuf Khan

 

[clare]

Second question, is it worth my time to try to change my own spark
plugs? Today I tried doing it, and found everything was too cramped.
Is this something that's easier done from underneath? A few of the
wires were easily accessible, mostly the front cylinders, but the rear
cylinders seem to be highly congested. I left them alone for now,
awaiting opinions. Mine's an 2.5L H4 too.

Yousuf Khan

You think a SOOB is difficult to change plugs on? Good thing you
don't have a 6 cyl mystique, or a PT Cruiser, or a V6 TransSport, or a
6 cyl Aerostar.

A Soob is EASY to get at in comparison any of them.

 

[Todd H.]

Second question, is it worth my time to try to change my own spark
plugs? Today I tried doing it, and found everything was too cramped.
Is this something that's easier done from underneath? A few of the
wires were easily accessible, mostly the front cylinders, but the rear
cylinders seem to be highly congested. I left them alone for now,
awaiting opinions. Mine's an 2.5L H4 too.

On my H4, some discussions many years ago convinced me that this was
out of money saving to pain in my ass sweet spot, so I have it done
professionally.

 

[YKhan]

On my H4, some discussions many years ago convinced me that this was
out of money saving to pain in my ass sweet spot, so I have it done
professionally.    

It looks like on one side I'd have to remove the battery, and on the
other side I'd have to remove the airbox. I can remove the battery
easily, but don't know what to do with the airbox.

A Canadian Tire store quoted me 1.5 hours labour to do this. I wonder
if Subie mechanics can do this quicker?

Yousuf Khan

 

[1 Lucky Texan]

It looks like on one side I'd have to remove the battery, and on the
other side I'd have to remove the airbox. I can remove the battery
easily, but don't know what to do with the airbox.

A Canadian Tire store quoted me 1.5 hours labour to do this. I wonder
if Subie mechanics can do this quicker?

  Yousuf Khan

I think you're discovering why it might make sense to shell out $$$
for longer lasting plugs.


;^)

 

[XR650L_Dave]

my wife's Outback (H6) has them from the factory.

???

Yeah, because they're so hard to get to- no one wants to change 'em
more than every 60K.

Dave

 

[Hachiroku $B%O%A%m%/(B]

I think you're discovering why it might make sense to shell out $$$ for
longer lasting plugs.


;^)

LOL! Next we'll have him buying iridium!

Really, platinum is good for about 75-100,000 miles, and back in the day
Toyota specified them for their EFI engines. I'd stay with what's proven.

 

[Yousuf Khan]

Really, platinum is good for about 75-100,000 miles, and back in the day
Toyota specified them for their EFI engines. I'd stay with what's proven.

My dealer did finally replace the spark plugs, they were platinums. He
said that that's what's recommended for Subies.

Yousuf Khan

 

[Hachiroku ãƒãƒãƒ­ã‚¯]

The single platinums were only $1.50 more than the non-platinums, so the
cost is no big deal. Why are dual platinums required? What's the
difference?



Doesn't anti-seize lubricant prevent them from having trouble coming out?

Yousuf Khan

Yup...

 

[Hachiroku ãƒãƒãƒ­ã‚¯]

My dealer did finally replace the spark plugs, they were platinums. He
said that that's what's recommended for Subies.

Yousuf Khan

You can "upgrade" to iridium, but since you're replacing them you
probably have ~100,000 on the car. Sit back and relax for the next
100,000...

 

[Big Jim]

It's simple- remove air filter duct and move washer fluid tank out of
the way. From there its incredibly easy. Go to Subie dealer and get oe
plugs and wires.

 

[Big Jim]

Removing 4 screws gets full access - not worth 1.5 hours of labor at
least on 04 outbacks. Took me tops 1 hour and I was in no hurry.
I'll do it again in 30k miles with no trepidation. Platinums dont
really work better. My 94 Trooper ran better with the Plain NGK's
than with the platinums.