GTV6 plugs

[blah57]

I have just had a bit of trouble with the GTV6 fouling it plugs (Bosch wr78) and was interested in what the current thinking is for plugs. Any suggestions as to what to use for general touring work as the car is not used for short trips, leave that for the work horse.

[shane wescott]

Hi Blah57

I have always been from the "Golden Lodge or nothing" club. Been using NGK since I was convinced to give them a go by an NGK employee.

And While they do foul on my GTV6 if i do too much townie stuff, they are cheap so i just buy them by the box full :-)

Catch ya

Shane

[shane wescott]

BP7ES is the part number.

[Al Campbell]

NGK BP6ES are hotter if oiling up is a problem.

[dehne]

i use the bp6es and they are good for the price i replaced them every year, i would never use golden lodge as as are to prone to failier under load the bosch super 4's are better but also the v grove plugs  are great i cannot remember who makes them but the work in the same fashion as super 4's and lodge but with only 1 prong the electrode bit has a v grooved it to it instead of being flat i have found these to be the best but then my local stoped stocking them or someone stoped making them

[Mat Francis]

NGK BP6ES are hotter if oiling up is a problem.

Yes, and can be excellent for round town drive ability. HOWEVEVER, never go thrashing the car with them. You are likely to get detonation and do a head gasket. Ask me how i know.

[dehne]

how do you know 

[blah57]

thanks a lot sound like the NGK's are the go.

[Mat Francis]

Whilst i cannot obviously say it was 100% definitely bet my life on it certain, I'd happily put a slab or two on it being the case.

Why? The burn marks and missing chunks in the head gasket, caused by detonation.

I was running 98 octane fuel, on a standard motor, with the ignition timing set correctly. (yes, i did set it before the weekend with a timing light-no guesswork). There is absolutely no reason it should be detonating, given that i am changing gears at 5500. (Other than i simply forgot i was running the "hot" BP6ES).


"Cold" spark plugs (ie a BP8ES, one grade colder than the standard BP7ES), have a larger contact area between their ceramic tip and the outer metal (not the electrode), thus distributing the heat better. I am currently running 8's in the alfetta, and it runs like a dog on start up, and when it idles for long periods of time. Why? because the tip doesn't retain enough heat to burn the oil and crap off it that it encounters with an old motor.

On the other hand, a "hot" plug, like the aforementioned BP6ES, has very little contact area, meaning the ceramic tip retains a lot of the heat generated by the engine firing. As such, when subjected to very high temperatures for an extended period of time (ie being run around Phillip Island), it gets so hot that it can cause the fuel to ignite before a spark travels from the tip to the electrode (enter detonation or pre-ignition). The advantage of a "hot" plug is that unlike the "cold" ones, it does retain enough heat to burn off deposits, hence making them good for around town and gentle driving.

Logical?

[Sheldon McIntosh]

I do know that 'hotter' plugs can blow a hole in a piston when thrashed in a 250 2-stroke bike.  I know because it happened to me while I was going through a corner at 140km/h;  that will wake you up quickly.    

[Paul Gulliver]

From Gumby to Life Coach, well done Chowerboy.

[Sheldon McIntosh]

Should have been going faster Sheldon. Harden the fuck up.

True