Dear forumers
I've a few questions regarding spark plugs. Hope the experts here can assist me as i'm learning more on my car.

1. I look through my car's manual. Spark plug is stated: (NGK) FR7DTC. What does this mean?
2. The best spark plug is the iridium right? Cos I did some search as below:

http://www.spark-plugs.co.uk/pages/technic...spark_plugs.htm
3. I thought each car only uses 1 spark plug? How to know whether how many plugs my car has?
4. Does changing the spark plug to iridium improves FC/acceleration as claimed? I look through some old posts regarding people MODDING their rides, most of them put spark plug iridium.
5. What is the standard price of one (1) iridium spark plug? Which shop in KL/PJ can install ORIGINAL ones?

..might add questions if i think of any.

Thanks in advance!

1. R stands for resistor type... 7 is the heat range... other alphabet not specified in the NGK sparkplug chart... lolz...
2. rephrase... one of the best....
3. common engine has 1 sparkplug on each bank of cylinder... only twinspark and idsi engine has 2 sparkplug on each cylinder.... what car u driving??...
4. yes... a new sparkplug is always good for the engine regardless what type/make it is.... let us know what car u driving, we let u know wat engine u are using and how many sparkplugs u need...
5. if not mistaken rm150 onwards for 4pcs... latest updated price i not sure...

so, what car are u driving??..

Funny thing is I found the spark plug model in Bosch brand, but it's stated NGK??
Not a famous car, Chery Tiggo. Wonder if u know the engine details to advise.
Cheers

1. Not sure
2. I would prefer saying the iridium is a longer lasting one
3. Normally 1 spark plug for each cylinder.. yours has 4 (ACTECO SQR484F as quoted in paultan.org)
4. Improvement (if any) is too little to notice. however it does last long
5. Around rm170 for 4 pieces if you buy direct from spare part shop (denso)

thanks so much for the clarification.

If engine is stated '4G_ _ _' meaning it has 4 cylinders running on gasoline right? 4 cylinders meaning 4 spark plugs.

The 4G series of engines are only Mitsubishi engines, other manufacturers engines have their own codes. You're right about 4 means 4 cylinder, though G thoes not mean "gasoline".

This post has been edited by dares: Nov 6 2011, 10:06 AM

alright thx dares.

any idea which is the best? Denso/NGK iridium/Iriway?

there are a few batches of tiggo 2.0L using 4g63 engine...
others are using austrian based engine.... unsure about their specifications...

source: http://paultan.org/2007/04/23/chery-t11-tiggo-for-rm80292/


what does it written in ur user manual??...

Your Tiggo is the older model? If yes, then it is the 4G Mitsu engine.....

The iridium are around RM150 and above. I doubt the improvement is worth the amount paid for.
You can try Platinum which cost much less

Yes there are also Tiggo with 4g63 engine

No mine is the acteco engine.
My current plugs are copper I believe, so would b trying to upgrade n try.

for my engine VQ30DE, platinum is more expensive than iridium lolol

Platinum Fusion or the 4 points ones. The normal platinum is cheaper then the Iridium.....

juz normal platinum lol. both ngk

FR7DTC is Bosch model.
Copper core, triple electrode.

RM15/pcs.

wow that's cheap...
bro just a question, when i look for other brands lik NGK/Denso, the model i should look for is?
If using Bosch to NGK cross ref: BCPR6ET
So i should inform suppliers that i need spark plug BCPR6ET right?

Yes, if you have the cross reference correct......



This post has been edited by vr2turbo: Nov 7 2011, 03:10 PM

thx for all the help here! appreciate it.
now the problem is i cant seem to open the engine cover to explore further.
keep pulling it up but something is locking it down.
I thought i saw the service guy opened it like a flap.

My wife's Tiggo is still new so I have not open it up before also......as still maintained by the SC....

But I got this result in another forum....
Factory install : Bosch FR7DTC (Triple earth electrode)
Some alternatives
BOScH FR7DC, FR7DCX etc
Denso K20PRU-11,K20PBR etc (normal),IK20 (Iridium), VK20 (Iridium/Platinum)
NGK BKR6E-11

This post has been edited by vr2turbo: Nov 7 2011, 03:11 PM

i read somewhere that the FR7DTC stopped production, replaced by some other model (didn't note down).
so meaning if Denso or NGK i should look for the above model as stated right?
thx bro

Edited:
Just found out that BCPR/BKR are the same but different in terms of ISO & JIS standards.

Source

This post has been edited by bladekiller: Nov 7 2011, 07:25 PM

I also search Bosch website and they have 2 and 4 electrode but not 3 also?

source

same as wat u found? btw this is the replacement model FR7DC+
i don't get what u r trying to say cos u mentioned triple earth electrode in your earlier post.

This post has been edited by bladekiller: Nov 7 2011, 07:42 PM

Was mentioned 3 electrode by bro. scorgio and was in the website also, but in Bosch website don't have, maybe discon already.....

FR7DTC still in production lah.
But mainly used by conti cars, so normal spare parts shop may not have it.
I just bought 4 pcs last month. Made in Germany stock.

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Added on November 7, 2011, 11:18 pmNGK BKR6E-II is also used in Waja 1.6, RM8/pcs only. But the gap is different from Bosch FR7DTC, so not recommended actually.
Instead, BKR6E has similar gap with FR7DTC.
Other Bosch cross ref for BKR6E - FR6DP, FR6DC.

While the cross ref for FR7DTC - NGK BKUR6ET or BKUR6ET10 (multi-ground), Denso K20PBR.

This post has been edited by scorgio: Nov 7 2011, 11:19 PM

Wonder why Conti uses 3 electrodes? My friend's ZX using the Valeo also 3 electrodes.....

hmm im confused now on which to use.. shall i use:
Denso: IK20?
NGK: BKR6E-11? (sounds cheap that Rm8/pc used on waja)

Denso IK20 is iridium core. Got member selling a set of 4 for RM130-140 at Automotive Garage.

BKR6E-II, if u dare to try, it may work fine or it's not suitable. U just risk RM32 + labour. If it works, then u'll save in the long run.

alright i'll prefer the safer route, IK20 Denso.
I think i know who's the seller, saw someone selling at that price..
Thanks scorgio

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Added on November 8, 2011, 10:41 pmThere are IK20 and IK20L.
Holycow y so many models of the same numbering??
However, quoting from another forum someone's research on the diff:

source



This post has been edited by bladekiller: Nov 19 2011, 09:54 PM

just changed to IK20 today at a nearby service shop.
I found out that the old plugs are covered with some oil (black in color).
the mechanic said to send my car back to the service centre to change dono what....
btw, the plug's thread is covered mostly in oil (2 out of 4 plugs, towards the left side of the engine).
any sifu here knows what's the problem? any approximately how long to fix it ah?

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Added on November 19, 2011, 9:56 pmvr2turbo, i know how to open the cover alrd! haha, its sort of like a rubber stopper. just pull it hard n it will open. handle with care!

This post has been edited by bladekiller: Nov 19 2011, 09:56 PM

Got take pic of the plugs? Oily or sooting?

On my VR, I have run on Iridium, Platinum, Copper, Normal all also can run.....

For the cover, pull from the front part? I remember you mention have to flip it up?

Apologies to TS for 'borrowing' his thread.

Wanted to ask the sifu's here. For a Iswara LMST what plug is best suited to get that extra 'kick' during driving without effecting the FC too much?

Currently running on original plugs and cables.

bro pics as requested.
the 'spinning' part is covered in oil, and 1 of them the tip almost kena oil d..




ya the cover will open like a flap once u managed to pull it up. mine was quite tight though, the serviceman unscrew the back and found out its a rubber stopper kinda lock. but becareful not to break th cover...

no problem, as long as others willing to help

This post has been edited by bladekiller: Nov 20 2011, 08:38 PM

I have changed Super 4 Spark plugs for my wira. I wonder if it's good? I dont even know what material it's made of. I bought RM50 for 4 pieces .

The plugs looks okay. The tip got no oil. At the side could have come from the top. Any oil stain on top of your engine block?

Okay, will try to open, as I have not open before. Wanted to clean the engine but cover in the way.....

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Added on November 21, 2011, 10:59 amTo me, not worth the investment. Some mention smoother pick up with Iridium but they cost RM150 or more per set.
Probably you can try a set of platinum first. Different material are actually more for durability, means like using platinum will last longer then using normal plugs, and Iridium even longer. Now they even have Iridium tough.....
But then using cheaper plugs you can use many sets so back to square one......

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Added on November 21, 2011, 11:00 amBosch Super 4 should be copper core......

This post has been edited by vr2turbo: Nov 21 2011, 11:00 AM

Ya top of engine block is dirty. Some oil stain, looks like very long adi. It's near the inlet where they pour the engine oil.
Y ah? Might it sip through when changing the oil?

Yup, should be. Try cleaning around that area, but with the plugs on, in case some dirt fall inside.

If internal problem the plug tip will be oily......

bladekiller, ur old plugs look still ok.

felt any difference after changing to Denso Iridium?

thx scorgio & vr2turbo.. so i take your word for it
after changing, accelerating seems to have a minimal improvement.
but i realize when idling, the car is abit shaky?? dono due to this or not.
otherwise im ok with the change.

I'll wipe the engine when free! thanks for all the advice!

You only change the plugs, so better monitor for a while.....

super 4 is copper core, so it's actually lousier than platinium? D:... The guy said it has 4 points so better ignition. lol.

Have to see how your look at it. Different materials are more for durability. Then there is also design. Each brand have their own design and have said their is the best but there are no actual comparison done.
If you look at the normal plugs. One curve ground electrode over the center one. In a single cam engine these plugs are mounted at an angle therefore the spark is slight more opened towards the head of the piston. In a twin cam engine these plug will be directly on top, then the spark is actually shielded by the ground electrode. That is why Split fire mentioned for this area their design with the split ground electrode plays a part. The spark now is direct towards the piston head. I think NGK have one plug with V cut on the center electrode. Denso design is the U groove on the ground electrode. These two design is to move the spark to the side so that the ground electrode will not block the spark.
Then now come to your 4 ground electrodes. This design do not cover the center electrode but are at the side, therefore the spark is more open. Moreover with 4 grounds they can spark to any, therefore said to be more efficient.
There are many more, like iridium and platinum saying with the smaller diameter center electrode the spark is more concentrated. And the list goes on. So you have to find out which works best for you......

This post has been edited by vr2turbo: Nov 22 2011, 08:17 AM

Is it possible that changing of Spark plugs alone can increase HP?

some dudes seem to swear by a certain brand through dyno test...

Like what 2hp, hardly can feel but on dyno will show.....
If you read most of the sparky websites, I don't think this is even mentioned....
Most will ask you to change accordingly to the right heat range......

This post has been edited by vr2turbo: Nov 22 2011, 01:46 PM

Oo... got it boss

Found one webpage on it. Denso mention improve 0.5ps. This website mention Iridium increase by 2.9whp which is not bad, but still can feel much in daily drive....

When I 1st changed from Bosch Super 4 to Bosch Plat-Ird Fusion, I can really feel the car more responsive & better pick up. Plus consumed slightly less petrol.

BUT, it only lasted like 20000km, then it's like back to b4. At 60000km, I took the Fusions out to inspect, bcos at that point, my car would need 2-3 cranks in the morning. I can see some irregular trails of spark, the Fusions have 4 electrodes, so there're 4 trails, some the trail is weaker than the other.

So I decided to swapped them back to the OEM spec FR7DTC. FC slightly higher than on Fusion, but it also could be due to I'm now running 200kpa tire pressure compared to 220kpa previously. But in the morning, 1-2 cranks enough to get the engine running.

Yup, the main feedback is smoother acceleration.....

You running on twin cam? If yes, the open design of the platinum fusion has a more direct spark down to the piston top

Shit I just open the cover n unable to close back. Found out that the metal thing holding the rubber stopper is soft 1 , bendable.
Hav to ask the serviceman to close it back aft wiping the top part later

Cannot bend back??

solved it. bend to normal place, then hit the cover hard to make it snap back!!
do not push it slowly cos it'll bend the metal thing

I have to be careful too then......

Good morning all sifus, may I know Bosch Super 4 or NGK platinum spark plug can have better performance on wira 1.5M carb?

Based on design, then Bosch......

Lolx brother ...Hide inside the engine nobody will care about the design de lah~! How about performance orh??
How about Denso iridium and NGK iridium? Which is better for performance?

That was what I meant, the super 4 design has an open center electrode, with 4 ground electrode at the side. Spark can come from any of the 4 ground. If driving twin cam engine, plug tip is open directly in the path of the piston head, therefore getting combustion.

Denso Iridium has 0.4mm center electrode, and NGK I think is 0.6mm/ Denso claim the 0.4mm smaller sharper tip, collects or concentrate all the spark together giving a stronger spark.

The above are all claims by their respective spark plug company/distributor......

For 4G15, Denso iridium or NGK iridium can get better performance?

a few years ago there was a website that i used to follow.....it was about mods on his B18C integra GSR

one of the mods he tested was spark plugs.... with platinum plugs vs cheap ngk plugs....

cheap ngk plugs gained 3hp more

how often does one have to change spark plugs? if they haven't been changed for over ten years? safe to change them now?

I won't spend that kind of money on iridium plugs. Have used them before and actually I find them the same.
I would say the different makes of material is more for durability. Iridium being the hardest last a longtime, the platinum, then copper and so on. Platinum can be considered as they cost around RM70 (I think) and Iridium are doubled that.

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Added on December 4, 2011, 8:36 pmWah! that is a good one.....

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Added on December 4, 2011, 8:38 pmWhat? 10 years never change the plugs? I wonder if the plugs are now fused in to the engine already?

This post has been edited by vr2turbo: Dec 4 2011, 08:38 PM

I think the car can't start ady~

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Added on December 5, 2011, 12:22 amNo orh... NGK platinium is around RM70 but the NGK iridium is around RM180... Hmm... Those accessories shop said iridium can get the best performance for the engine ><

This post has been edited by Jajay Chong Hon Keat: Dec 5 2011, 12:22 AM

Iridium may last longer, but I doubt you will get double performance. All you will get is smoother drive....

Brother... Then NGK or denso is better?
Denso iridium plugs gt a lot of model (e.g.: IW24, IK24, IK22 and etc). What is the different between them?

gapping? heat range? etc etc
there's some online converter for yr current plugs to the Denso/NGK ones.

Yup, thread depth, plug size also......

So far for what I have heard, the super 4 is the best... So blur now... Don't know what should I get now T.T

depends on yr budget, and sifus comments.
for my case, after listening to all the comments, i got myself iridium with the correct gapping.
most important is to match back to the original one, or u may want to change some settings (eg heat range) to get certain improvement.
however, don't know about u. but i prefer to be on the safe side.. use back original recomendation.

Never change the heat range unless you have problems or you have mod the car kao kao. One step like 100bhp up....

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Added on December 5, 2011, 3:53 pmDifferent brands have different design. All will say theirs is the best, so you have to read and find what you want....

This post has been edited by vr2turbo: Dec 5 2011, 03:53 PM

I think I want to choose iridium plug... Any iridium plugs can introduce? My engine is Magma 4G15 carb...

Try Denso then. Change accordingly using their conversation chart from your current model.

From lelong, they said IW20 or IW24 suitable for my engine. From the Internet, they said IW16 suitable for my car... Blur >.<

Before buying any iridium or platinum spark plugs, do ensure that they are double platinum/iridium, meaning both the center electrodes and ground electrodes are platinum/iridium tipped. There is no point getting normal platinum/iridium where only the center electrodes are platinum while the ground electrode gets disintegrated.

As far as I know ground electrode seldom wears, as for platinum and iridium center tips, they are so hard they will last.

It is the ground electrode that wears out the plug. The spark fires from the center electrode to the ground electrode. It is the ground electrode that gets blown to bits. I have seen that happen on my single iridium and platinum plugs after 20000km in my previous car. In my current car, I wear out the NGK Double Laser platinums (which is the recommended stock plugs for my car) at about 50000km.

This post has been edited by sleepwalker: Dec 6 2011, 11:31 AM

But NGK din mention which plugs suit which engine bah... Scare after get the most expensive one but no suit your engine, it's meaningless.

My car manufacturer mentioned it and it came from the factory with NGK Double Plats. Also if you checked NGK they have a products finder page which you can find the recommended spark plugs for your car. They even have a local site at http://www.ngksparkplugs.com.my

There are 3 things to watch for when changing plugs,

1. Plug size/shape (no brainer, size shape can be found in part number)
2. Plug heat rating (you can find that on the model/part number, refer to ngk site)
3. Spark plug gap (which you can re-gap if the model does not have your required gap size).

The most importing thing is the heat rating which has to be the same or equiv with your OEM. So I don't see why it is difficult to find NGK plugs for you car, unless you are driving something that is not on their list.

Wah! you terror then, because in my turbo my iridium did not wear, only start to misfire after about 2 years of use.
Now on NGK platinum, after more then a year still running strong.
Last time when on normal plugs only the center electrode wears rounded.....never had any wear on ground electrode....

Ok. Now the problem is where can I get those plugs? Sabah seems like hard to find the plugs suitable for your engine.

If the ground electrode does not wear out, none of the spark plug manufacturers would bother with double plat/iridiums would they? Double plats/iridiums also last twice as long as their single counterparts which explains that the plat/iridium plat/iridium ground electrode outlast the normal electrodes. Do you use your turbo for daily drive? My previous turbo did 120k km and the current one has done 150k km and has gone through platinum and iridium plugs like nobody's business.

spare part shops don't carry them?

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Added on December 6, 2011, 10:57 pmYup, daily ride for last 10 years. Second engine second turbine also....ha! ha!

This post has been edited by vr2turbo: Dec 6 2011, 10:57 PM

I wasn't referring to second engine and second turbine.. both are on different cars. Did 120k km for previous car before selling and 150k km on current car. Both on same engine and turbine.

Oh! sorry, I was replying to you that mine is daily ride also, and on second engine as the timing snap on first engine, then recently after 9 years the turbine failed also...

I am not sure because I have never go check before. Really need to find one day free to check

They should have, anyway most of the ones here have.......

It's hard to find in Sabah because Sabahan are very stingy one...

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Added on December 7, 2011, 9:32 amThis post has been edited by Jajay Chong Hon Keat: Dec 7 2011, 09:32 AM

But rich......
or no wonder they are rich......

search at Garage Sales here and ask the seller to post it to you.
cheaper than wasting fuel going round and round asking 1 by 1 shop.

Ya... You are right bro. But I still have two new spark plugs at home. Can find slowly =)

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Added on December 7, 2011, 11:41 amHahaha because sabah has no place for us to spend money...

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Added on December 7, 2011, 1:33 pmHey bros and Sifus... Anyone know where can I find the suitable series of Bosch sparkplugs for my car engine 4g15 carb? I just found a Bosch dealer here...

This post has been edited by Jajay Chong Hon Keat: Dec 7 2011, 01:33 PM

2 new plugs or 2 sets??

Two sets
Oh ya~ I found a bosch dealer around KK ady~ Can anyone teach me how to find a suitable bosch spark plugs for my magma 4g15 carb engine? Better give me the series number

They should be able to tell you if they are Bosch dealer.
Anyway, for Bosch the heat range is reverse.
Jap plugs like NGK 5 - hot, 7 - cold, meand bigger number is cold
Bosch 6 - cold, 8 - hot, means bigger number is hot

Erm... I can't get any messanges orh... What is cold and hot?

Oh! you don't know about Hot plugs and cold plugs also. Well certain engine are designed to run hot, so they use cold plugs. The plugs helps to cool the engine. Or if running more on highway, cold plug is used.
Town driving usually hot plugs are used to help complete combustion.
Overall just follow your car manual recommendation on the plugs.
I posted the hot and cold just for your info because you want to use Bosch and if your car is running on NGK number 5 plugs and the Bosch dealer gives you a Number 8 Bosch plugs you may be confused. So now at least you should know NGK 5 is Bosch 8....hope you understand up to here?

Wow... That's mean NGK is better? Because it' is cold? How about denso?

Looks like you still don't get it. Does not mean cold is better. Cold plugs drive in town may build up a lot of carbon if the combustion is not complete.
The number are just for guide in changing from NGK to Bosch.
For Denso they use 18, 20, 22 and so on. Smaller number is hot, bigger is cold.

Hmm... It really confuse for me. Since I always drive high speed in highway, cold plugs are more suitable for me kan?