Spark plugs

[SOLER]

I haven't bought them for a while, but my wife's Astro needs new plugs, and I'm not sure which ones to stay away from. I'm thinking Bosch platinum, as the OEM platinums are $6each. Any inputs?



SOLER

 

[drewRoberts]

when it comes to the Bosch platnums anything over one electrode is only a gimmic. I run them in my yoda and like them. they heat up quick with a cold engine to ensure good spark and stay cooler when the engine is warm to keep spark knock down.



my last set ran about 50,000 before the center electrode droped out of 3 or 4 plugs. engine started running rough at that point, but they gave me good service for the money I payed. I have 12,000 on the set right now and expect the same mileage as I got with the last set.

 

[EBottema]

Stay away from Bosch 2 3 or 4 prong plugs.



I would recommend going with a good set of Autolite platinum plugs. You will not be disappointed.

Autolites belong in american cars, NGK's belong in asian cars and bosch is for european cars. Oh and champion plugs belong in the trash or your old briggs engine.



Erik

 

[justinp20012500]

I just replaced the "stock" bosch plugs in the 2000 4. 3l blazer with the "four electrode" bosch plugs.



I was told not to run them after I put them in, but o well. They were the only ones that Autozone had in stock at the time.



I also netted about a 1 mpg better changing the plugs and wires. YMMV (First time I have used that little term)

 

[EBottema]

YMMV? HUH? LOL



What i hate about those stupid bosch +4 plugs is 1 the price and 2 you cannot gap them. When one of the 4 electrodes burn up or become out of gap, they just go to another one. Retarded in my eyes.



But if thats all they had in stock, what are you gonna do???

 

[justinp20012500]

YMMV? HUH? LOL



What i hate about those stupid bosch +4 plugs is 1 the price and 2 you cannot gap them. When one of the 4 electrodes burn up or become out of gap, they just go to another one. Retarded in my eyes.



But if thats all they had in stock, what are you gonna do???

Them stupid plugs better last the rest of that Blazer's life. Changing just the 5 would be ok, but that plug that is behind the steering shaft is almost impossible to get to.



I could of put in 4 sets of Dodge injectors for the time it took me to change stupid plugs!!!



If Autozone had "like" oem in stock I would of just bought them.

 

[DBogo]

well i run NGK's in everything that has a spark plug

 

[I-6DZL]

next time you change plugs in a 4. 3 do not put in bosch, they f'n worthless.



anyhow, pull the DS front wheel off (after you jack it up and put a stand under it) pull all three bolts out of the frame that hold the gear box to the frame, and use a pry bar to gently pry outta the steering shaft outta the way (upwards, and forward) and put a wobble on the spark plug socket, and you're good to go.



sounds hard, but e zier than any other way i've found, and i do plenty of the *******s.



curtis

 

[metal tech]

Curtis, have you tried a modded plug socket that has the hex on the end? I've got one for my 92 Camaro. Drilled out the ratchet drive to allow plug porcelen to stick thru, and shortened the deep end to just catch the plug's hex. With a offset box it makes the 6,8,5 & 7 plugs a breeze to change. Just a thought.



AL

 

[Rman]

NGK makes fine plugs, I use them in everything that needs them.

 

[SOLER]

Try doing them on an Astro. They all suck!! I had to replace the snake hose for the a/c... . the one that goes the the dryer, condensor, compressor, and to the rear unit. All one hose with several ends. What a pain in the arse!! Anyway, the inside engine cover needs to come out for that, and I figured since I have that all apart, I'll do the spark plugs and PCV at the same time. While I'm talking about my Astro. . er, um, I mean my WIFE'S Astro , the gas pedal sticks. Sometimes you have to push real hard to get it to move, and then you end up pushing so hard the van takes off. I haven't been able to find where it's sticking. Only does it off idle. Any thoughts?



SOLER

 

[I-6DZL]

what year astro



more than likely carbon build up on the throttle plates. Its called "coking" of the plates



take carb cleaner (OXYGEN SENSOR SAFE) and start the van, rev up a little and spray the plates until clean.



socket sounds like the ticket, but while on the hoist it's just as easy to pull the gear box.

 

[scootergmc]

After reading this thread, one would be convinced all spark plugs suck and are nation-of-manufacter specific... I, for one, have never had any problems with any plugs, Bosch, Bosch +4's, Champion, NGK, Autolite, Platinum, Iridium, whatever. Just go buy some and put them in. You'll be fine.

 

[I-6DZL]

Are you a mechanic by trade ?



Beleive it or not the most problems are caused by improper spark plugs, wether its due to wrong kind, or wrong heat range, or installing non-platinum plugs where platinum belongs.



Just buy what the manufacturer suggests and don't have to worry!



Bosch does belong in foreign cars, not american



Curtis

 

[JoshPeters]

Are you a mechanic by trade ?



Beleive it or not the most problems are caused by improper spark plugs, wether its due to wrong kind, or wrong heat range, or installing non-platinum plugs where platinum belongs.



Just buy what the manufacturer suggests and don't have to worry!



Bosch does belong in foreign cars, not american



Curtis

Or platinum where non-platinum belongs!



Josh

(quite common on Benz 4 and 6 cylinders Specifically 111 and 104 engines..... )

 

[SOLER]

I put Bosch Platinum, not the -2 or -4, just the plain ones. I think they'll be fine for a year. Then the van is going bye-bye. My wife wants to keep it until the 200,000 mile point. It's at 140k right now, but I don't think I want to keep it for two or three more years.



Thanks everyone.



SOLER