Info: Spark Plugs

[Sarvajit]

Report on NGK CR7EIX

I got the NGK Iridium Spark Plug installed on my 5 year, 47K old Fiero F2 this Saturday. Took a couple of days to test it out. Observations as under:

1. Cold Start: Bike starts with single kick&idles continuously! Earlier also it would start with a single kick, no matter how cold, but the engine would die down, so I would have to hold the accelarator a wee bit open. This morning I was surprised to see that it started in a single kick&kept idling away to glory!Back to good old days then!

2. Throttle response seems to be crisp.

3. Firing is very even.

other than this, my friends say that the 'beat' has changed, but my main observation is point no.1. That one factor is enough for Rs.475 paisa vasool!

[Raccoon]

^^^Dude, when comparing a product, its always worthwhile to mention what you are comparing with.

Was your earlier spark plug (which make?) in good shape and gapped v precisely?

[Sarvajit]

^^^Dude, when comparing a product, its always worthwhile to mention what you are comparing with.

Was your earlier spark plug (which make?) in good shape and gapped v precisely?

Stock TVS sparkplug which was in good shape&gapped properly. They are supposed to use conventional NGKs according to the manual, but end up using Champion. In any case, there is no gap adjustment applicable for Gpower/Iridium spark plugs.

[Raccoon]

^^^Yes, they say so, but it seems its because of the danger of gapping... as the centre electrode is quite delicate. The gap may very likely play a vital role, nonetheless!

Here the TVS showrooms stock only the OEM NGKs.

Let me tell you a recent experience - had given my Shogun to TVS ASS several months ago. I had very emphatically told them not do clean or open the spark plug. Made them write it on the job card.

Since then have been finding that the bike does not start 1st time in day day without choke. Also, it ocasionally dies down on idling... etc. As I had told them not to even touch the sparky, I looked for problems elsewhere. Nothing helped. Finally opened the sparky and found the gap to be much lesser than the specified range! Adjusted it to 0.6 mm. (Recommended 0.6 - 0.8 mm). I prefer to keep it at 0.7, but currently dont have a gauge for the same.

And viola! Now I observe ALL the benifits you mentioned, with the ordinary OEM NGK! Furthermore, the idling RPM shot up to about 2.1 k !!

Brought this to the notice of the ASS and was told that they definitely do gap the sparky after cleaning it. Now its very clear that either their gauge is inaccurate or the mechanic did a shabby job.

Dont know if you checked the gap yourself, or if you checked that the gauge is accurate... if you did, its good... else you might just experience all those benifits using a new NGK correctly set!!

[Sarvajit]

Are you trying to say conventional is as good as GPower or Iridium IX?

[Raccoon]

Many people dont find any percievable difference between them. I suspect those who do, had worn/improperly gapped plugs to begin with. Technically also, there isn't much to support the pricier sparkies... other than the marketing hype...

In fact I remember having read about the disadvantages of platinum plugs in some applicatons, etc...

That said, I'v not tried Iridium plugs myself. So not speaking from personal experience.

[Praful]

Technically also, there isn't much to support the pricier sparkies... other than the marketing hype...

Except of course the 2 major facts that make them bang for the buck

• The triple fold lifetime over the normal plugs!
• The cleaner combustion experienced using these plugs!

Experienced this from personal experience!

[Raccoon]

Well, Hydbiker had mentioned few days ago that NGK says that the Iridiums barely last as long as normal plugs... and the platinums are the ones that last longer. So the claim of longer life for your Iridium may not be true.

Cleaner combustion? How did you check that out?

[Praful]

Well, Hydbiker had mentioned few days ago that NGK says that the Iridiums barely last as long as normal plugs... and the platinums are the ones that last longer. So the claim of longer life for your Iridium may not be true.

Cleaner combustion? How did you check that out?

Well I ride a 220....

Stock plugs last just about 10K on this bike.....My NGK Iridiums were replaced after 29K of (ab)use, not because they needed a change but more because I'm a paranoid android.

Cleaner, well there are loads of way where I perceived that and explaining that is beyond the scope of this thread. Putting it simply, I've need the plugs to be cleaned a lot lesser with the Iridiums than the stock Champions!

[Sarvajit]

Well I ride a 220....

Stock plugs last just about 10K on this bike.....My NGK Iridiums were replaced after 29K of (ab)use, not because they needed a change but more because I'm a paranoid android.

Cleaner, well there are loads of way where I perceived that and explaining that is beyond the scope of this thread. Putting it simply, I've need the plugs to be cleaned a lot lesser with the Iridiums than the stock Champions!

It has to last longer, spark better&be cleaner too...whats the use of the extra cost then? Remember, jaisa paisa waisa maal!

[diffuser911]

Well I ride a 220....

Stock plugs last just about 10K on this bike.....My NGK Iridiums were replaced after 29K of (ab)use, not because they needed a change but more because I'm a paranoid android.

Cleaner, well there are loads of way where I perceived that and explaining that is beyond the scope of this thread. Putting it simply, I've need the plugs to be cleaned a lot lesser with the Iridiums than the stock Champions!

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.

[Raccoon]

Well I ride a 220....

Stock plugs last just about 10K on this bike.....My NGK Iridiums were replaced after 29K of (ab)use, not because they needed a change but more because I'm a paranoid android.

Cleaner, well there are loads of way where I perceived that and explaining that is beyond the scope of this thread. Putting it simply, I've need the plugs to be cleaned a lot lesser with the Iridiums than the stock Champions!

I feel you should be comparing nickel NGKs to Iridium NGKs rather than with something like a Champion!

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!!

As for my experience with the nickel NGKs - I'v never needed to clean the plugs in any of my bikes! The only reason I ever open (maybe once a year or so) is to check the plug's condition and gap. There is never anything there to clean!

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!

It has to last longer, spark better&be cleaner too...whats the use of the extra cost then? Remember, jaisa paisa waisa maal!

It would be pretty elementary to state this this just isn't always true!

[Sarvajit]

Here is one NGK GPower/Iridium hater...

[Raccoon]

Here is one NGK GPower/Iridium hater...

^^^Gawd, I dont hate them! Rather I was trying to bring something else to light...

Anyways, my case rests. Its your money. Nothing to hate about, if you wanna help some poor spark plug companies to make some more $.

[Sarvajit]

^^^Gawd, I dont hate them! Rather I was trying to bring something else to light...

Anyways, my case rests. Its your money. Nothing to hate about, if you wanna help some poor spark plug companies to make some more $.

Then why don't you write a letter saying all this to NGK?