Thinking of trying Copper plugs

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Mechanicboy

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So I've replaced my coils several times and this last time I managed the get Accel coils to work on the V6. The problem is that I still have an occasional miss. I'm thinking of trying Copper plugs as they are supposed to conduct better. The only down side I find to copper plugs are that you need to change then more often, big deal. I'm willing to change my plugs once a year or every 2 oil changes(I chance every 5k miles).

Anyone have a good reason I shouldn't use coppers?

Anyone else use coppers in their LS, v8 or v6? If so what's your experience?
 
Pretty much plugs are all the same. Other then Long-Lasting of the plug copper is roughly 15000mi or 30000km. OEM is obviously the best way to go, so you save now but pay later when you have to do them again in a few months(depending on your driving). Horsepower will be the same. More times you change your plugs more times you could strip the head...your choice. My 02 v8 is OE. platinum for $4.29(depending where you buy) or coppers for $2.99. Worth the bs? NO. Your miss i would start with a full OE plug swap with full ignition coil swap.
 
Well all i know is the oem platinums are supposed to be good for 100K but i just did mine at 66K and they were way overdue.

Im suprised the car wasnt misfiring.
 
Stealership wants $8 per plug, I can get coppers for $1.69. I stumbled across something interesting, the jaguar v6 uses a different plug than the Lincoln v6. I was on a escape forum that said to use the 05 v6 jag engine spark plugs if they were modified to prevent missfire/pinging. They sad they were a colder heat range. I looked it up and the escape and LS v6 use the same plugs but the jag does use a plug with a smaller gap, I don't know about the heat range yet.

This make me think maybe the gap is still to much. When I pulled the plugs last time they where close to .060 gap, I took the down to .051-.052, maybe I'll take them down to .045. Also when I pulled the plugs they were all still white, like brand new with a slight hint of gray on a few on one side. Maybe there's something to going to a different plug heat range and gap.

What you guys think? I'm not afraid to be a guinea pig.
 
Mechanicboy said:
Stealership wants $8 per plug, I can get coppers for $1.69.
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Nobody says you need to buy from the dealer. It's really easy to search and find the part # for your engine. You'll see platinum are about 4 to 5 bucks.
The advantage to platinum or iridium is that they are more resistant to dirt build up and fouling. As Dawkins stated the more often you change plugs the better chance you have of stripping the threads in those aluminum heads. Helicoils in heads are no fun! Oh yea be sure to use copper based antisieze when you do change them.
Mechanicboy said:
I was on a escape forum that said to use the 05 v6 jag engine spark plugs if they were modified to prevent missfire/pinging. They sad they were a colder heat range.
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Colder heat range means that the plug removes less heat from the combustion chamber. In your case it could mean premature detonation (pinging)with a colder plug.
Mechanicboy said:
I looked it up and the escape and LS v6 use the same plugs but the jag does use a plug with a smaller gap, I don't know about the heat range yet.
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I don't know what the recommended gap is for your engine but a tighter gap means a colder spark (smaller kernel) and slower fuel burn. This could lead to unburnt fuel in the combustion chamber.

Mechanicboy said:
This make me think maybe the gap is still to much. When I pulled the plugs last time they where close to .060 gap, I took the down to .051-.052, maybe I'll take them down to .045. Also when I pulled the plugs they were all still white, like brand new with a slight hint of gray on a few on one side. Maybe there's something to going to a different plug heat range and gap.

What you guys think? I'm not afraid to be a guinea pig.
Click to expand...
I learned to read plugs about 40 years ago tuning English sports cars for racing and what you describe on your plugs is about perfect to a little lean. Just where today's engines are tuned. I wouldn't mess with it.
 
Wicked Ace said:
Colder heat range means that the plug removes less heat from the combustion chamber. In your case it could mean premature detonation (pinging)with a colder plug.
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Colder plugs means it pulls MORE heat from the tip of the plug thus making it LESS likely to detonate(ping).

I currently have platinum's but they aren't the the OE plugs which I would be going to if I stayed with platinum.
 
The Zone told me the OEM was iridium in my 04 v6 when I was last there to get a code pulled. I told him they should be platinum. All he knew is that the screen told him. I did not buy any from him. I will get my parts from Max at 5star ford. Need to get that done already.
 
n8bachelor said:
The Zone told me the OEM was iridium in my 04 v6 when I was last there to get a code pulled. I told him they should be platinum. All he knew is that the screen told him. I did not buy any from him. I will get my parts from Max at 5star ford. Need to get that done already.
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Brilliant, both you and the AutoZone guy. Iridium IS platinum. :rolleyes:
 
I was about to say....i thought iridum was a type of platinum.
 
iridum is a harder metal so it lasts longer from a wear perspective, but it's also more brittle, meaning the tip can fall off easier. It's made for the people that are even lazier then those that don't want to change their spark plugs every 100k but want to go 150k miles or more. People are lazy and auto manufactures know it.
 
JoshMcMadMac said:
Brilliant, both you and the AutoZone guy. Iridium IS platinum. :rolleyes:
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Nope...:rolleyes:

In the Periodic Element Table Iridium (Ir) is identified by the Atomic Number 77 while Platinum (Pt) is AN 78. IR is in the "Platinum Group" but unique.
 
xford said:
Nope...:rolleyes:

In the Periodic Element Table Iridium (Ir) is identified by the Atomic Number 77 while Platinum (Pt) is AN 78. IR is in the "Platinum Group" but unique.
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Thumbs up, for your wiki'ing. :rolleyes: Iridium is platinum when it comes to spark plugs. Obviously when you take it down to its element it is not "identical" as you are trying to rebut; they are both platinums while you seem to be trying to confuse the platinum element with the platinum group. For this conversation, no one cares.
 
JoshMcMadMac said:
Thumbs up, for your wiki'ing. :rolleyes: Iridium is platinum when it comes to spark plugs. Obviously when you take it down to its element it is not "identical" as you are trying to rebut; they are both platinums while you seem to be trying to confuse the platinum element with the platinum group. For this conversation, no one cares.
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Wrong again....

http://www.aa1car.com/library/2004/us30428.htm

Another nice put down by '"the child" on the Wiki comment but I expect no less from you.

Saying "IR is PT" is like calling me you. While our DNA may be 99.99999% alike I am still me and you are....well....you (makes me want to hug my mom and dad).
 
xford said:
Wrong again....

http://www.aa1car.com/library/2004/us30428.htm

Another nice put down by '"the child" on the Wiki comment but I expect no less from you.

Saying "IR is PT" is like calling me you. While our DNA may be 99.99999% alike I am still me and you are....well....you (makes me want to hug my mom and dad).
Click to expand...
Whatever you say, chief, I am not wasting any more time arguing with you. Iridium is a platinum, not the platinum, and perform virtually the same in spark plug applications. However, I will give concession to your awesomeness, all 79 posts worth; you win at The Internets:

internetchampion.jpg
 
I have to side with xford here.

You said "Iridium IS platinum."

You did not say "Iridium is a member of the Platinum group."

Nor did you say "Iridium is a Platinum."
 
joegr said:
I have to side with xford here.

You said "Iridium IS platinum."

You did not say "Iridium is a member of the Platinum group."

Nor did you say "Iridium is a Platinum."
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Yea, but your argument is a lot weaker than his, so you cannot be the internet winner; first loser for you!

second-place-award.jpg


One last time: for the purpose of this discussion, the semantics of platinum vs. platinum group is pointless. It is like saying you need gear oil, and the parts guy saying you need 75W-140...it only works one way, but you are getting gear oil. Iridium is platinum, platinum is not iridium. A square is a rectangle, a rectangle is not a square. It just so happens that one of the platinums is actually called platinum, causing xford's panties to bunch up like nobodies business with a load of sand in there.
 
JoshMcMadMac said:
Yea, but your argument is a lot weaker than his, so you cannot be the internet winner; first loser for you!

second-place-award.jpg


One last time: for the purpose of this discussion, the semantics of platinum vs. platinum group is pointless. It is like saying you need gear oil, and the parts guy saying you need 75W-140...it only works one way, but you are getting gear oil. Iridium is platinum, platinum is not iridium. A square is a rectangle, a rectangle is not a square. It just so happens that one of the platinums is actually called platinum, causing xford's panties to bunch up like nobodies business with a load of sand in there.
Click to expand...

Are you gay? I bet you put your hands on your hips and stomped your foot, mouthing the words when you typed that....... Oh yea, not that there's anything wrong with that.
 
JoshMcMadMac said:
Whatever you say, chief, I am not wasting any more time arguing with you. Iridium is a platinum, not the platinum, and perform virtually the same in spark plug applications. However, I will give concession to your awesomeness, all 79 posts worth; you win at The Internets:

internetchampion.jpg
Click to expand...

Whatever you say Chief...

You may have a bunch of posts but most the time you are simply jumping on people for being "wrong" or having a different point of view. It’s funny because you have such a pompous attitude and act like you are the king of knowledge around here.

Aside from errors in this thread, in the recent thread on replacing transmission fluid, you were not even aware of a common device used for transmission fluid exchange found in almost every Ford/Linc Service Department across the county. When joegr pointed out your ignorance your comment was "No need for condescension..." I had to LOL because let me tell you, Chief, you know a thing or two about condescension.

Oh and by the way, if you think Iridium Plugs are the same as Platinum you may want to check into the F1 Teams (the win at all costs money no object place) use of Denso Iridium Plugs.
 
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