Copper Spark Plug @ 40k km Usage

[Pisces69]

Hi all,

 

This is an update further to my post on NGK BKR6E-11 (a.k.a V-Power) condition at 30k km usage.

Ref: http://www.mycarforum.com/index.php?showto...spark*&st=0

 

Recently I just changed out this new sets of "Copper" spark plug (NGK BKR6E-11) with 40,000 km usage. Price for each spark plug is only S$3.50 and it can last 40km without symptom of mis-firing, difficulties in starting, etc. I only felt acceleration a bit sluggish at it approaches 40k km.

 

Below is the photos of the 4nos spark plugs.

 

 

I took the gap measurement using feeler gauge. According to specifiction, brand new NGK BKR6E-11 the gap should be 1.1 mm.

 

 

Photo of No.1 cylinder spark plug is below, and the gap measured is 1.18 mm

 

 

Photo of No.2 cylinder spark plug is below, and the gap measured is 1.19 mm

 

 

Photo of No.3 cylinder spark plug is below, and the gap measured is 1.18 mm

 

 

Photo of No.4 cylinder spark plug is below, and the gap measured is 1.20 mm

 

 

I visually inspected the tips using 10x magnifier, and noticed that No.1 ~ No.3 spark plugs the edge of the tips looks slightly rounded. No.4 spark plug tip looks the least rounded but gap is the biggest. Grounding condition looks less deteriorated than the tips for all the spark plugs.

 

Conclusion: normal "copper" spark plugs can go 30,000 km on my engine without any issues, but to take it to 40,000 km is a bit pushing it. I think 30k km is the limit for my car.

 

 

Hi Octopus.

 

I also using the same plug but I dun try to extend beyond 20K km cos sometimes by the time it reach 20K km I notice that there is gas leakage n the seal has started to give way n I can see black soot around the join of metal n ceramic.

 

I whack quite a lot so I think the stress on my plugs is a bit high. My main problem is gas leakge n not worn electrodes so much.

 

BTW I only use Jap or Korean made plugs.

[Zniper]

i use iridium and usually change at 50-60k km...

[Trex101]

Oh so Forte use iridium as standard plug.

 

BTW not me own Forte. Its the TS. Maybe u wan to reply to him.

 

I think Forte came factory as copper but at these sort of prices $100+ to change, might as well just get iridium. TS after reading this, next time can go choose iridium.

[Pisces69]

I think Forte came factory as copper but at these sort of prices $100+ to change, might as well just get iridium. TS after reading this, next time can go choose iridium.

 

 

If my car came with copper fm factory I wil stick with copper. Much cheaper n easier to use.

 

Change every 20K km also very cheap. And it performs about as good as those iridium.

 

Only if those cars hv plugs in a very hard place to reach n its very difficult to change, then can use iridium long life plugs. Change only after 80K km.

[Trex101]

If my car came with copper fm factory I wil stick with copper. Much cheaper n easier to use.

 

Change every 20K km also very cheap. And it performs about as good as those iridium.

 

Only if those cars hv plugs in a very hard place to reach n its very difficult to change, then can use iridium long life plugs. Change only after 80K km.

 

Yah but the problem is they gave him copper but charge him iridium in prices.

[Pisces69]

I believe its normal type. but 2 workshops told me already... fortes use 4 plus and "big" ones. so very expensive...

 

 

Thet never tell u your car use BIG plugs like those on lorry n bus?

 

Plugs all about same size. Some only slightly smaller. Normal copper plugs cost abt $3.50-$4.00 ea. for Jap made. Korean also around same price. Thai n Indo plugs also not too bad.

 

I dun use Msia plugs cos ty r the worse I ever used. Less than 5K km ty wil start to jerk n sputter.

[Pisces69]

Yah but the problem is they gave him copper but charge him iridium in prices.

 

 

Ya thats why in his case he kenna by the ws.

 

Really too much. $100 fr 4pcs of copper plugs is really chop carrot.

 

I pay abt $14 for 4 pcs of made in Japan copper plugs I buy in SG n pay abt RM10 to change.

[Octopus]

Hi Octopus.

 

I also using the same plug but I dun try to extend beyond 20K km cos sometimes by the time it reach 20K km I notice that there is gas leakage n the seal has started to give way n I can see black soot around the join of metal n ceramic.

 

I whack quite a lot so I think the stress on my plugs is a bit high. My main problem is gas leakge n not worn electrodes so much.

 

BTW I only use Jap or Korean made plugs.

 

I think that phenomena you mentioned (i.e. brownish stain at metal / ceremic joint) is corona stain, not an issue to spark plug performance and also not gas leakage.

Refer: http://ngkntk.co.uk/index.php/technical-ce...s/corono-stain/

 

 

[Pisces69]

I think that phenomena you mentioned (i.e. brownish stain at metal / ceremic joint) is corona stain, not an issue to spark plug performance and also not gas leakage.

Refer: http://ngkntk.co.uk/index.php/technical-ce...s/corono-stain/

 

 

It was cfm leakage. My mech when he removed the plugs mentioned to me that there was gas leakage from the joints.

 

I sometimes drive long distance at max revs so its quite possible the plugs started to leak by 20K km.

 

But it was not too serious. Just a slight loss of power only.

[Timbuktoo]

anyone know what sparks Honda R16 engines should be using?

 

and how frequent does one change sparks? I changed mine at 50,000km now gna hit 100,000km soon.

[Shawnong81]

should not be gas leak. it could be fume from the ignition.

This can happen if the workshop did not tigthed the plug.

Most of the plug had a spring or flat washer on it.

[Pisces69]

anyone know what sparks Honda R16 engines should be using?

 

and how frequent does one change sparks? I changed mine at 50,000km now gna hit 100,000km soon.

 

 

U can chk info in yr handbook or go to the Honda website. It sud b there.

 

Better u get the official n correct info. Wait someone here anyhow humtam n give u the wrong info yr engine die.

 

Or u can look at the plugs u hv now n get the same.

Edited July 25, 2013 by Pisces69

[Pisces69]

should not be gas leak. it could be fume from the ignition.

This can happen if the workshop did not tigthed the plug.

Most of the plug had a spring or flat washer on it.

 

 

The carbon stains were not from the washer area. It was from the join of the metal n ceramic part.

 

It was not a smooth even stain. It was irregular.

[Spinelli_ck]

anyone know what sparks Honda R16 engines should be using?

 

and how frequent does one change sparks? I changed mine at 50,000km now gna hit 100,000km soon.

 

if you are using Denso iridium plugs, the correct model should be IK20L. recommended to change every 40,000km.

[Gnomish]

Ya thats why in his case he kenna by the ws.

 

Really too much. $100 fr 4pcs of copper plugs is really chop carrot.

 

I pay abt $14 for 4 pcs of made in Japan copper plugs I buy in SG n pay abt RM10 to change.

 

hey is it only forte drivers kena carrot? me just changed and was charged $14 per pc. total $56!

[Pisces69]

hey is it only forte drivers kena carrot? me just changed and was charged $14 per pc. total $56!

 

 

Is that for normal copper plugs or those special plugs?

 

If only copper....sud b around $3.50 each only.

[Timbuktoo]

if you are using Denso iridium plugs, the correct model should be IK20L. recommended to change every 40,000km.

 

 

U can chk info in yr handbook or go to the Honda website. It sud b there.

 

Better u get the official n correct info. Wait someone here anyhow humtam n give u the wrong info yr engine die.

 

Or u can look at the plugs u hv now n get the same.

 

 

thanks guys!

[Zenith_Mazda]

just curious, is there really a great significant differences between copper and iridium spark plugs?

 

The iridium is so much more ex. Is it just as good to use those $3.50 ones from stockist? or will have the risk of misfiring?

 

thanks