Info: Spark Plugs

[Praful]

Where do you think I insert my sparkies? In the petrol tank maybe??

You can insert whatever you like, where ever you like.....that's entirely your choice!

Dude, one good strong spark at the right time is what it takes for the gas to ignite! And a clean spark plug does not automatically mean that your engine is clean, because sparkes are designed to clean themselves/keep themselves clean! Some may be better at it, some not. They do not and cannot do this for the entire combustion chamber! Yes, if your plug isn't performing to its optimum, then it may result in less than optimal combustion (which will leave more deposits)... but thats about it!

Hope that simple ans. clarifies things a bit.

Ok, simple koshun....what is the primary cause of carbon deposition/formation inside the cylinder block/cylinder head?

[onlinesatish]

Where do you think I insert my sparkies? In the petrol tank maybe??

That sounded funny

[Raccoon]

Where do you think I insert my sparkies? In the petrol tank maybe??

Dude, one good strong spark at the right time is what it takes for the gas to ignite! And a clean spark plug does not automatically mean that your engine is clean, because sparkes are designed to clean themselves/keep themselves clean! Some may be better at it, some not. They do not and cannot do this for the entire combustion chamber! Yes, if your plug isn't performing to its optimum, then it may result in less than optimal combustion (which will leave more deposits)... but thats about it!

Hope that simple ans. clarifies things a bit.

[Praful]

To put it very simply: no!

Ok man! I don't ride a space age bike.

My bike is just the normal variety wherein the spark plug is in the combustion chamber!

[Raccoon]

Well the plugs are in the combustion chamber....arent they?

So a cleaner plug definitely means a cleaner engine, doesnt it?

To put it very simply: no!

[HydBiker]

Satish, the Iridium plug is definitely much better but you asked the same question that we were trying to find an answer to! is it worth that high cost!!!

So, at least the GPower (Platinum) is fully worth it at Rs 130.

BTW, where is Sam? If he is still sustaining on to those results he got with change in the plug & cables (worth abt Rs 1100) then it is fully worth that. At least, he has the same bike as yours!

[Sarvajit]

@KP

first let me say this.....AM LAZY

My bike has run abt 23k after changing the plugs.....its running on stock bosch plug. it should be changed in this service(according to the mech!)

so i was wondering if i can use the NGK iridium(475rs) instead of he stock bosch plugs(80rs)


my only question is what more does NGK iX give than a normal plug?

is the 395 rs extra really worth it?

Frankly speaking Satish, in a new bike you may not observe much of a difference, but in my old F2, I'm finding a lot of difference with the cold starts&evenness of firing. This was not observed even when I changed over to a stock plug last time.

[Praful]

Praful: Did you experience a slight change in the bike's mileage? I was wondering about the other positives that come along with the better combustion of fuel by the NGK.

No perceivable change in either mileage or performance. Though among the bike I've compared with somehow always felt my bike too be a wee bit faster that other 220's. And this was experienced on long open GQ roads! There are definitely other factors and not the plugs alone, but then the plugs could be a contributing factor!

From what you say, it seems you mean something quite different - the plugs remain cleaner, not the engine! In other words, this means that the plugs are good at self cleaning... it does *not* mean that your engine is staying any cleaner!!

Lastly even if a Champion lasts 10 k km on your bike and an Iridium 29 k, then considering that a Champion costs say round Rs. 60, 60 x 3 = Rs. 180 against Rs. 500 or so for Iridium. You are paying well over double!

Well the plugs are in the combustion chamber....arent they?

So a cleaner plug definitely means a cleaner engine, doesnt it?

Yes I am paying double now, but that cost difference evens out in the long term coz of the benefits that I reap from running a cleaner engine!

[onlinesatish]

@KP

first let me say this.....AM LAZY

My bike has run abt 23k after changing the plugs.....its running on stock bosch plug. it should be changed in this service(according to the mech!)

so i was wondering if i can use the NGK iridium(475rs) instead of he stock bosch plugs(80rs)


my only question is what more does NGK iX give than a normal plug?

is the 395 rs extra really worth it?

[Raccoon]

^^^As per the NGK dealer here, fake NGKs are definitely in the market. I was told they will usually have some non-English text on the box. Rupee price may also be missing, etc. But even if it passes the above tests... who knows... better to buy from autho. dealer.

I seriously do not think the plug has anything to do with the combustion chamber being clean! A good OEM plug would have done almost the same thing. If the plug is clean, it more likely means that it is good at self cleaning... not that the chamber is cleaner! And I feel the normal NGKs are good at that, as I never have to clean the plugs myself. Btw, my Shogun's head was opened few months ago to check for carbon at around 30,000 km. And there was nothing there to clean either! And lets not forget this is 2 stroker!! It has always run on OEM NGKs... and as far as I remember, the plug has only been changed once.

Anyway, do let us know your review on the Iridium, as you use it for a bit...

[HydBiker]

Hope you checked the gap of the new NGK nickel and it was genuine (heard lots of fakes are around).

Original for sure and Made in Japan (of course , all the NGK's are)

I was told by many that Champions & Boschs have fakes... not the NGK's.

Anyway, its good if its better and gives tangible benefits... and its sanely priced. I personally don't think the Iridiums are justified at that cost.

well, for once I agree with you here. If you check earlier posts in this thread I have put up some text more than once trying to find out the real worth of the Iridiums @ Rs 550 a piece - 3.5 times of a GPower that I feel is fully worth at Rs 130 - double the cost of a regular plug. The plug is defanitely better... but by how much was my question.

Recently Ravi Kiran opened up his P220's head for decarbonizing. Well, there hardly was anything there after running over 36K or full ripping at redline. The past about 30K KMs are on the NGK IX's that are still going on very well. He had to replace his stock plugs at 10K and they were not all right at that point. I should of course mention that he uses Speed petrol as far as possible and that does help in keeping the head cleaner.

Ravi's ZMA is revving better with the Iridium IX.

Even most of my riding the R15 is on the highway and constant speeds over the ton for 1.5 hrs is a common thing.

I was getting the plug at Rs 475 as against the MRP Rs 550. Well, picked it up.

[Raccoon]

Hope you checked the gap of the new NGK nickel and it was genuine (heard lots of fakes are around). Anyway, its good if its better and gives tangible benefits... and its sanely priced. I personally don't think the Iridiums are justified at that cost.

[HydBiker]

for the record,

When I replaced the spark plug in my Victor I have got a new NGK Nickel plug, used it for a week (with hardly any difference noticed between that and the worn out Champion) and then bought the GPower. Experience with that is posted about two pages back.

These changes give very subtle benefits that many people cannot feel so easily due to various reasons like may be their driving conditions or even the bike itself. Victor has a moderately rough engine compared to the Honda's or Yamaha's and and thing good to it can be felt easily. I had serious cold start issues because of living near a lake with a lot of open space all around.

err... just a few thoughts.

BTW, my R15's plug was checked today (stock NGK Nickel plug) at the 12K service. It already has a little taper on the electrode. Well, I had to carefully observe the plug to notice that! Switched to NGK Iridium IX. Not expecting any miracle. Hope to be able to comment on this after my next long ride!

[Raccoon]

As I said, its your money...

And I never said there is anything wrong with publicity!! That wasn't the point at all...

[Sarvajit]

Dude, I dont think you understand the point! Companies are here to make money!! What do I write to them about... like ask them to make less money?? In comparision look at Bosch's marketing hype... at least NGK seems more subtle and honest...

NGK is also doing quite a bit of publicity brother. All their models are on display on the DSG website too! I was in fact surprised to see their plugs for Scooty&Activa too!
Anyways, as HydBiker said, you cannot really feel the difference in a bike with putting in something hardly Rs.500. People spend 30-40K just for like 5% increase in performance! Theres no denying the fact that there WILL be some advantage, but to some (like you), it may not justify the cost. To some others, it may. For me, I'm not against spending a few extra bucks for putting in something that might improve my bike, but for certain won't cause any harm! Its just a personal choice, Peace.