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Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / Maintenance and Repair / August 200727k miles on spark plugs abt right?
My 2000 Mazda Protege has abt 27, 000 miles on the spark plugs (copper ones I think). The car seems to be idling rough. Is 27k on a set of plugs abt right? Time to change them out? Also....what abt copper vs platinum plugs. Any real serious advantage to platinum plugs worthy of the extra cost? On Jul 30, 12:17 pm, m...@privacy.net wrote: > My 2000 Mazda Protege has abt 27, 000 miles on the > spark plugs (copper ones I think). > > The car seems to be idling rough. Is 27k on a set of > plugs abt right? Time to change them out? Try gapping and cleaning. > Also....what abt copper vs platinum plugs. Any real > serious advantage to platinum plugs worthy of the extra > cost? Just go with the ones recommended in the owners manual. Spark plugs probably need replacing at 27,000 miles of city driving, or they could last much longer if most driving is done on highways. Pull the plugs and check them. If they are not burned or fouled to badly you can adjust the gap and reinstall them. Platinum tipped plugs will last much longer before the tips wear down; a big advantage for plugs that are hard to change, or if you have to pay someone to do it. > My 2000 Mazda Protege has abt 27, 000 miles on the > spark plugs (copper ones I think). [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > serious advantage to platinum plugs worthy of the extra > cost?  SignatureMike Walsh West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.A. >Platinum tipped plugs will last much longer before the tips wear down; a big advantage for plugs that are hard to change, or if you have to pay someone to do it. The plugs are deeply recessed into the head....such that when you remove spark plug wire it has a long rubber extension on that end that comes out of the head So would YOU personally spring for platinum just to get longer life and less maint? On Jul 30, 3:27 pm, m...@privacy.net wrote: > >Platinum tipped plugs will last much longer before the tips wear down; a big advantage for plugs that are hard to change, or if you have to pay someone to do it. > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > So would YOU personally spring for platinum just to get > longer life and less maint? I would spring for a $5 to $10 socket extension and the exact correct plugs according to Mazda. I'm not sure if an easier set of plugs to change exists in the free world. Toyota MDT in MO The spark plugs on overhead cam engines are easy to change. The ones that are really worth the extra cost of platinum plugs are pushrod engines that have to have the engine jacked up off the mounts to change plugs. > On Jul 30, 3:27 pm, m...@privacy.net wrote: > > >Platinum tipped plugs will last much longer before the tips wear down; a big advantage for plugs that are hard to change, or if you have to pay someone to do it. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > Toyota MDT in MO SignatureMike Walsh West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.A. > The spark plugs on overhead cam engines are easy to change. The ones that are really worth the extra cost of platinum plugs are pushrod engines that have to have the engine jacked up off the mounts to change plugs. In my experience, OHV or Pushrod makes ZERO difference in how hard to change the plugs are. What matters is the rest of the engine and accessory installation. Ever tried to see, let alone change, the plugs on a Ford Modular v8 (SOHC version)? Its an overhead-cam and should be easy by your definition... but it isn't! How about a Mopar 2.7 overhead cam in a 300 or Charger- gotta pull the intake plenum off to change the passenger's side 3 plugs. In contrast, the 5.7L Hemi Mopar (pushrod) is dirt-simple to get at the plugs (all 16 of them!) as is the Mopar 3.5 OHC v6. But a Mopar minivan with a pushrod 3.3 has 3 easy plugs (front) and 3 difficult (rear, next to the firewall). >In my experience, OHV or Pushrod makes ZERO difference in how hard to >change the plugs are. What matters is the rest of the engine and >accessory installation. I'd agree to that. Witness the late '60s 428 Mustang. > Ever tried to see, let alone change, the plugs >on a Ford Modular v8 (SOHC version)? Its an overhead-cam and should be >easy by your definition... but it isn't! Sure it is. I owned one for 130,000 miles, and changed plugs three times. Piece of cake. >....... a Mopar minivan with a pushrod 3.3 has 3 easy plugs (front) >and 3 difficult (rear, next to the firewall). They're not difficult. Just make sure the engine is cold. >The spark plugs on overhead cam engines are easy to change. The ones that are really worth the extra cost of platinum plugs are pushrod engines good point!! >>The spark plugs on overhead cam engines are easy to change. The ones that are really worth the extra cost of platinum plugs are pushrod engines > > good point!! No, its nonsense. >>Platinum tipped plugs will last much longer before the tips wear down; a big advantage for plugs that are hard to change, or if you have to pay someone to do it. > >The plugs are deeply recessed into the head....such >that when you remove spark plug wire it has a long >rubber extension on that end that comes out of the head That's annoying, but it's not in the same league as the cars where you have to pull the radiator to get to the plugs. >So would YOU personally spring for platinum just to get >longer life and less maint? Not if it resulted in poorer running. --scott Signature"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis." >>The plugs are deeply recessed into the head....such >>that when you remove spark plug wire it has a long >>rubber extension on that end that comes out of the head > >That's annoying, but it's not in the same league as the cars where you have to >pull the radiator to get to the plugs. Agree I had the dealer change plugs out last time so I'm assuming they installed OEM plugs Question: All I have is a 1/4" socket set..... no 3/8 set. So I will need to buy tools to change myself I notice that Autozone sells specialized "plug wrenches" that have spring like device to hold plugs and keep from falling out. Bottom line....is one of these "specialized" wrenches better to use than say a 3/8 drive set? >I notice that Autozone sells specialized "plug >wrenches" that have spring like device to hold plugs >and keep from falling out. Bottom line....is one of >these "specialized" wrenches better to use than say a >3/8 drive set? Yes, otherwise you have to jam a rag or some bubble gum into the socket to make it hold the plug. Plug wrenches are cheap, probably doubly so if you're buying crappy Autozone imports, and they are something you will be very glad you got. --scott Signature"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis." >Plug wrenches are cheap, probably doubly so >if you're buying crappy Autozone imports, and they are something you will >be very glad you got. OK.... maybe I will see what a Craftsman plug wrench costs MANY thanks guys! > I had the dealer change plugs out last time so I'm > assuming they installed OEM plugs [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > these "specialized" wrenches better to use than say a > 3/8 drive set? Well, in order to use the spark plug socket, you'll most likely need a 3/8" drive ratchet. I don't know about the Autozone part you're talking about, but spark plug sockets that I've seen have a rubber sleeve in them to hold the plug in place. Very handy. >> I notice that Autozone sells specialized "plug >> wrenches" that have spring like device to hold plugs [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] >but spark plug sockets that I've seen have a rubber sleeve in them to hold >the plug in place. Very handy. The tool I am talking abt is a specialized spark plug wrench that already has integrated handle and socket and everything.... no need for a socket set >>> I notice that Autozone sells specialized "plug >>> wrenches" that have spring like device to hold plugs [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] >wrench that already has integrated handle and socket >and everything.... no need for a socket set Just buy the socket and a 3/8" drive ratchet. You'll need the ratchet sooner or later, so you might as well get it now. --scott Signature"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis." >My 2000 Mazda Protege has abt 27, 000 miles on the >spark plugs (copper ones I think). What kind of plugs? Are they the ones that the manufacturer recommends in the manual? >The car seems to be idling rough. Is 27k on a set of >plugs abt right? Time to change them out? I have had cars that fouled plugs at shorter intervals than that, and cars that could go for much longer. Pull the plugs and look at them. If they are covered with crap or the gaps are opened up, or if the edges of the electrodes are severely rounded, replace them. >Also....what abt copper vs platinum plugs. Any real >serious advantage to platinum plugs worthy of the extra >cost? From what manufacturer? You will find some cars will run much better on the less expensive plugs, while other cars specify the more expensive ones in the service manual. Use the brand and type recommended in the service manual if you can get them. --scott Signature"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis." On Jul 30, 11:17 am, m...@privacy.net wrote: > My 2000 Mazda Protege has abt 27, 000 miles on the > spark plugs (copper ones I think). [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > serious advantage to platinum plugs worthy of the extra > cost? I think current emission regs require newer cars to achieve 50K with emissions still within specs with NO maintenance including replacing plugs. |
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