Copper Spark Plug @ 30k km Usage

[Octopus]

Actually your plugs look pretty good considering 30k km mileage, we have seen worse for some 10k plugs. What car model are you driving btw?

 

Its Lancer CS3, Mitsubishi 4G18 engine. Pretty low-tech engine but reliable.

 

My driving style is towards the faster side, I speed-off from traffic light and when cruising at highway when traffic clear, the rpm @ 3,000. I believe engine need to be pushed occassionally (or frequently) so no fouling will accumulate on the spark plugs tip, combustion chambers and exhaust.

If engine operated correctly, the spark plugs is self-cleaning, no fouling mean less corrosion of the tip. Down side is Fuel consumption not so good, but nevertheless my last tank before servicing I can manage to touch 500km on a full tank before fuel empty light comes on.

[Yuan]

I believe we both drive the same make/model car. Do you also use BKR6E-11 spark plugs? How much does the stocklist sell such plugs?

 

I can't remember the price.

 

Got 1 set still with my car.

 

I can check the model number with what you have provided. I think it should be the same.

[Yuan]

My driving style is towards the faster side, I speed-off from traffic light and when cruising at highway when traffic clear, the rpm @ 3,000. I believe engine need to be pushed occassionally (or frequently) so no fouling will accumulate on the spark plugs tip, combustion chambers and exhaust.

 

You have the same thinking as me.

[Octopus]

Drove previous Kelisa (same spark plugs model but without V-grooves) more than 50,000km without any issue, although AD workhsop always like to replace spark plugs every 10,000km.

However, yours got those yellow rings on the ceramics already (intermittent flashovers can reduce spark performance)

Actually spark plugs fire better without the specified gap setting specified

 

If I remember correctly, I've read somewhere that those yellow rings at the ceremic part of the spark plugs is caused by overtightening. But so far even my previous car (Corolla G6) my used spark plugs always have those yellow rings on them when changed out.

 

You mentioned that it fire better without the specified gap setting, so is bigger gap better or smaller gap better? Which gap setting is optimium?

[Octopus]

I did not remembered correctly. Those yellow stain on the ceremic parts are infact "Corona Stain".

Refer: http://www.turbosupras.com/pdfs/NGK%20Spar...%20Analysis.pdf

 

A removed spark plug sometimes has discolouration around the insulator surface which looks like gases have leaked between the insulator and the shell. This discolouration is generally called "Corona stain" and is caused by the fact that oil particles in the air around the insulator surface are attracted by the corona discharge, are charged, and then adhere to the insulators surface. The corona stain causes no deterioration of the function of the spark plug.

 

 

[Tianmo]

PM sent...

 

 

got it.

 

thanks bro, will call simon to check it out!

 

good day!!

[Robo]

im using the same plugs as TS on my 5yo aveo.. normally i change every 3 servicing also.. thats y i always preach. copper plugs are the best! cheap n gd!

[Mini-itx]

Your plugs look pretty good. Slightly on the lean side but ok.

[Mini-itx]

Its Lancer CS3, Mitsubishi 4G18 engine. Pretty low-tech engine but reliable.

 

My driving style is towards the faster side, I speed-off from traffic light and when cruising at highway when traffic clear, the rpm @ 3,000. I believe engine need to be pushed occassionally (or frequently) so no fouling will accumulate on the spark plugs tip, combustion chambers and exhaust.

If engine operated correctly, the spark plugs is self-cleaning, no fouling mean less corrosion of the tip. Down side is Fuel consumption not so good, but nevertheless my last tank before servicing I can manage to touch 500km on a full tank before fuel empty light comes on.

 

IMHO, the best way to keep plugs clean is cruise for long distances. This is when you run lean and plugs stay clean.

 

Full throttle off the traffic light constantly will actually foul up your plugs. This is because when your go WOT, car will run rich in order to protect it from detonation/pinging.

[Good-Carbuyer]

If I remember correctly, I've read somewhere that those yellow rings at the ceremic part of the spark plugs is caused by overtightening. But so far even my previous car (Corolla G6) my used spark plugs always have those yellow rings on them when changed out.

 

You mentioned that it fire better without the specified gap setting, so is bigger gap better or smaller gap better? Which gap setting is optimium?

Overtightening has got nothing to do with those yellow stains on the ceramic body. If you damaged/cracked the ceramic with overtightening, the spark plug insulation just fail, and you need to replace with another spark plug (ever damaged once)

 

Some engines can tolerate up to 2.0mm spark plug gap. The manufactureres' recommended spark plug gap can varies from 0.8 to 1.1mm. I found more engine power with bigger spark plug gap, as long as the ignition spark is able to arc across the gap

 

Tested on Kelisa and Accent engines with modified side electrodes without any issue (to do the same after warranty period of present car)

 

 

[Elfenstar]

No lah, I think once removed better to replace, cos the plating (anti-seize purpose) on the spark plug's thread would be some wear or damage already. Anyway every year replace I think would be good enough for me.

 

You could ask them to just rub a very thin coat of copper grease on the threads before they re-screw it in.

[Elfenstar]

We do encounter once in a while those plugs that is extremely difficult to remove, if my mechanic don't feel right he would advice the owner go home and soak the plugs with WD40 or RP7 penetrating lubricant then try again. The worst is to either break the plugs or strip the thread from the engine block, that would be a very costly repair.

 

Ya I know. Didn't encounter that much with the tuner market.

 

Actually your plugs look pretty good considering 30k km mileage, we have seen worse for some 10k plugs. What car model are you driving btw?

 

Exactly what I said. Used the same plugs (more or less. I went for the EY variation) on the 180. As mentioned earlier to the TS, I got a lot more wear in 10000k's than his 30000!

[Good-Carbuyer]

IMHO, the best way to keep plugs clean is cruise for long distances. This is when you run lean and plugs stay clean.

 

Full throttle off the traffic light constantly will actually foul up your plugs. This is because when your go WOT, car will run rich in order to protect it from detonation/pinging.

Can use suitable Octane petrol?

 

[Robo]

You have the same thinking as me.

 

i used to change 2.2-2.5k... but over time i push to peak torques at 3.2krpm FC is better. once awhile whack to 5.8k clear carbon.

[Mini-itx]

If I remember correctly, I've read somewhere that those yellow rings at the ceremic part of the spark plugs is caused by overtightening. But so far even my previous car (Corolla G6) my used spark plugs always have those yellow rings on them when changed out.

 

You mentioned that it fire better without the specified gap setting, so is bigger gap better or smaller gap better? Which gap setting is optimium?

 

Nope, those are known as corona stains, its pretty much the high voltage of the plugs attracting junk form the air (Esp. oil) to adhere to the plug. Thats will you get a yellowish brown stain. ITs normal and no effects on the plugs.

 

A larger gap will be better than a smaller gap but thats provided your ignition coil could produce enough voltage to jump the gap. Else you will get misfiring.

[Yuan]

i used to change 2.2-2.5k... but over time i push to peak torques at 3.2krpm FC is better. once awhile whack to 5.8k clear carbon.

 

Yours manual right? Mine auto leh. How to achieve 3.2k rpm?

[Yuan]

im using the same plugs as TS on my 5yo aveo.. normally i change every 3 servicing also.. thats y i always preach. copper plugs are the best! cheap n gd!

 

I was on copper most of the time until I got a good deal at a MO and got a set of iridium plugs. Might intend to change back to copper once my iridium plugs "expire". So far mechanic check and he says it can still be used.

[Octopus]

IMHO, the best way to keep plugs clean is cruise for long distances. This is when you run lean and plugs stay clean.

 

Full throttle off the traffic light constantly will actually foul up your plugs. This is because when your go WOT, car will run rich in order to protect it from detonation/pinging.

 

What you said sound reasonable. Maybe when cruising at 3,000 rpm, i do step on and off the accelerator pedal while maintaining constant speed. Maybe during the moment when step-off the accelerator, there is minimum fuel entering combustion chamber hence ran lean.