Spark Plugs
#1
07-22-2009, 08:36 PM
Spark Plugs
I have a 2000 a6 quattro 2.7T. My check engine light cam on and it said that I had a misfire in 3 cylinders. The car was driving fine, but I needed to get the check engine light off in order to pass emissions.
The car had NGK spark plugs and had really good pick up. My mechanic replaced the spark plugs and now the car seems to be a lot slower. He put NGK platinum spark plugs that he got from Napa for $3.95. There were other ones called NGL laser platinum that wer $16 something, but he said he got the cheaper ones because it would make no difference.
The car is so much slower than it was before I replaced them. Especially between 0 and 40. Should I get the Laser Platinum plugs put in or could it be that the mechanic just messed something up? Is there really that much difference between platinum and laser platinum. My car went from running like an A6 turbo to running like a corolla.
The car had NGK spark plugs and had really good pick up. My mechanic replaced the spark plugs and now the car seems to be a lot slower. He put NGK platinum spark plugs that he got from Napa for $3.95. There were other ones called NGL laser platinum that wer $16 something, but he said he got the cheaper ones because it would make no difference.
The car is so much slower than it was before I replaced them. Especially between 0 and 40. Should I get the Laser Platinum plugs put in or could it be that the mechanic just messed something up? Is there really that much difference between platinum and laser platinum. My car went from running like an A6 turbo to running like a corolla.
#2
07-22-2009, 08:59 PM
the more expensive ones arent more expensive just cause the company wanted to put a high price.... its expensive cause they are different than the cheaper ones and people are willing to pay the higher price for that difference... dont b afraid to spend a little extra to keep your car running like the premiu machine that it is... heck if i were you ide splurge for the pulstars.... i will try to get a link to a post about spark plug reliability
#3
07-22-2009, 09:13 PM
#4
07-22-2009, 10:41 PM
found this at sparkplugs.com
Pulstar: Pulstar Pulse Plugs
Pulstar Pulse Plug, 14mm, 19mm (3/4") Reach, 5/8" (16mm) Hex Size, Gasket Seat, Resistor, .045" (1.143mm) Gap
Pulstar Pulse Plugs are unlike any other spark plug made. They store and deliver a powerful pulse of up to 1 Million watts of peak power, whereas normal spark plugs typically deliver 50 watts of peak power. This is done by their internal pulse circuit which generates a much larger spark, at twice the speed of a traditional spark plug. This larger ignition allows for more complete burning of the air/fuel mixture in the cylinder, in turn creating more torque in the crankshaft, more liveliness in the throttle and more power to the wheels. At this point you can enjoy the extra power, or ease off on the accelerator and benefit from the increasing fuel economy. They are more expensive than traditional spark plugs, however according to Pulstar, the cost is typically recovered in fuel savings after one year and you will continue to save money on fuel in the years that follow, thus they pay for themselves many times over. Pulstar also boasts these are the single most cost effective means of increasing horsepower and mileage.
Pulstar: Pulstar Pulse Plugs
Pulstar Pulse Plug, 14mm, 19mm (3/4") Reach, 5/8" (16mm) Hex Size, Gasket Seat, Resistor, .045" (1.143mm) Gap
Pulstar Pulse Plugs are unlike any other spark plug made. They store and deliver a powerful pulse of up to 1 Million watts of peak power, whereas normal spark plugs typically deliver 50 watts of peak power. This is done by their internal pulse circuit which generates a much larger spark, at twice the speed of a traditional spark plug. This larger ignition allows for more complete burning of the air/fuel mixture in the cylinder, in turn creating more torque in the crankshaft, more liveliness in the throttle and more power to the wheels. At this point you can enjoy the extra power, or ease off on the accelerator and benefit from the increasing fuel economy. They are more expensive than traditional spark plugs, however according to Pulstar, the cost is typically recovered in fuel savings after one year and you will continue to save money on fuel in the years that follow, thus they pay for themselves many times over. Pulstar also boasts these are the single most cost effective means of increasing horsepower and mileage.
#8
07-23-2009, 01:26 PM
In spite of all the marketing hype we might have swallowed, there is not that much difference between spark plugs. Over the last 100 years they have become commodity items. Yes, the material content of some may drive a higher cost (ooooh, platinum plating!) but spark be spark. A fresh set of plugs, assuming they are the right plug for your vehicle, should not reduce performance noticeably. Either they are the wrong plug, not gapped, or, more likely, something else was removed or disturbed and not replaced correctly. I had my plugs replaced at 40k and 100k miles (dealer, then indie shop) and the performance and mileage was the same before and after.
#10
07-23-2009, 08:37 PM
In spite of all the marketing hype we might have swallowed, there is not that much difference between spark plugs. Over the last 100 years they have become commodity items. Yes, the material content of some may drive a higher cost (ooooh, platinum plating!) but spark be spark. A fresh set of plugs, assuming they are the right plug for your vehicle, should not reduce performance noticeably. Either they are the wrong plug, not gapped, or, more likely, something else was removed or disturbed and not replaced correctly. I had my plugs replaced at 40k and 100k miles (dealer, then indie shop) and the performance and mileage was the same before and after.