Spark Plugs
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
Spark Plugs
Trying to find out if spending 8$ a plug for the Bosch +4 Platinum Plugs is worth it??? I could just stick with motorcraft but i want to use a high quality product, if it has redeeming qualities that justify $$. Any ideas 
Thanks in advanace guys(or girls!)
98 Explorer EB 5.0
Thanks in advanace guys(or girls!)
98 Explorer EB 5.0
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 877
Likes: 1
From: Colorado, U.S.A!
Spark Plugs
I put the +4s in my 96 302. Ran just as good with the motorcrafts, but the dealer is the only place I can find motorcraft around here, so the Bosches were quite a bit cheaper. In light of recent events, next time I'll be sure to buy American! 
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
From: Northern USA
Spark Plugs
DO NOT PUT BOSCH PLUGS IN AN EXPLORER!
Buy the Autolite plugs that are recommended for your model of Explorer (platinum or double platinum). They are the exact same plug as the Motorcraft.
Buy the Autolite plugs that are recommended for your model of Explorer (platinum or double platinum). They are the exact same plug as the Motorcraft.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
Spark Plugs
I am very happy with the idea of spending less $$$
But why not Bosch?
What is the drawback??
I'm not doubting you, I just want to be informed regarding my truck. BTW do you reccommend any particluar wire brand?
But why not Bosch?What is the drawback??
I'm not doubting you, I just want to be informed regarding my truck. BTW do you reccommend any particluar wire brand?
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: USA
Spark Plugs
I put the bosh in my explorer and the following occured in less than 10 k
started to miss fire and lost a cylinder.
Pulled all plugs and found that the bosh plugs had gone way out of gap and even better was that I found one had a loose insulator. This was on the dead cylinder.
I also noticed that the performance was down with the bosh plugs as well as the MPG from the day I installed them. Even new the Bosh plugs only gave me 16-18 mpg with the Doubble platnum I get 20-22 and on one tank that was all highway I got 24 mpg!!!!!
I will never use the Bosh again in my explorer.
Hope this helps
Dean
started to miss fire and lost a cylinder.
Pulled all plugs and found that the bosh plugs had gone way out of gap and even better was that I found one had a loose insulator. This was on the dead cylinder.
I also noticed that the performance was down with the bosh plugs as well as the MPG from the day I installed them. Even new the Bosh plugs only gave me 16-18 mpg with the Doubble platnum I get 20-22 and on one tank that was all highway I got 24 mpg!!!!!
I will never use the Bosh again in my explorer.
Hope this helps
Dean
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Spark Plugs
I used Bosh in my old X sport, now in my XLT and my wifes Focus... never had a problem and had 1 - 2 MPG gain. Nothing wrong with Bosh, they are a great plug. There going in my F-250 next week.
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
From: Northern USA
Spark Plugs
Bosch plugs will give rougher idle, loss of gas mileage and an overall poor driving performance. Of course it will be more obvious on some cars than others but its ALWAYS better to go with Motorcraft/Autolite plugs (not to mention Autolite double plats for my 99 Explorer SOHC are cheaper than the Bosch +4s).
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Spark Plugs
Originally posted by devil421
Bosch plugs will give rougher idle, loss of gas mileage and an overall poor driving performance. Of course it will be more obvious on some cars than others but its ALWAYS better to go with Motorcraft/Autolite plugs (not to mention Autolite double plats for my 99 Explorer SOHC are cheaper than the Bosch +4s).
Bosch plugs will give rougher idle, loss of gas mileage and an overall poor driving performance. Of course it will be more obvious on some cars than others but its ALWAYS better to go with Motorcraft/Autolite plugs (not to mention Autolite double plats for my 99 Explorer SOHC are cheaper than the Bosch +4s).
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
From: Northern USA
Spark Plugs
The thing is, you _may_ be overlooking the negative performance (positive expectancy). Go on over to www.flatratetech.com and check the Ford Owners Support forum. There are several recent threads regarding the use of Bosch plugs in Fords. Most ASE Ford techs recommend NOT using them. Take a look, some interesting insights.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Spark Plugs
Since I guess I am "overlooking" how my vehicle that I have driven and worked on for 76,000 trouble-free miles is performing I'm going to leave this thread with this last bit of info for nhfire 77...
There is about a 50/50 split on the plugs over there and there is a lot of good and bad info about them. General consensus it to stay away from the +4, but the rest of the Bosch line up is fine. I am on my second set of Bosch Platinums (change every 30,000) and have had no problems and a mild MPG gain. I hope I can "overlook" the same effects on my F-250 when I put them in it this weekend.
Ultimately, it is up to you, research... then buy... you can't go wrong. Good luck.
There is about a 50/50 split on the plugs over there and there is a lot of good and bad info about them. General consensus it to stay away from the +4, but the rest of the Bosch line up is fine. I am on my second set of Bosch Platinums (change every 30,000) and have had no problems and a mild MPG gain. I hope I can "overlook" the same effects on my F-250 when I put them in it this weekend.
Ultimately, it is up to you, research... then buy... you can't go wrong. Good luck.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
From: Northern USA
Spark Plugs
I had no intention of insulting. What I meant was that sometimes things can appear better than they really are.
I went through that with the Bosch plugs but after hearing what happens with those plugs, I DID start to notice the rougher, loopey idle and I realized why my gas mileage had been going down. I didnt even think to attribute it to the plugs eventhough it did start right after installing them. I recently swapped in Autolite APP103 double plats and the idle returned to it's normal, solid rpm and the gas mileage went back up a few mpg.
The point was that sometimes performance losses are overlooked or not realized, either on purpose or by accident.
Either way, from what Ive seen the consensus is to stick with OEM plugs for best performance (Motorcraft/Autolite).
I went through that with the Bosch plugs but after hearing what happens with those plugs, I DID start to notice the rougher, loopey idle and I realized why my gas mileage had been going down. I didnt even think to attribute it to the plugs eventhough it did start right after installing them. I recently swapped in Autolite APP103 double plats and the idle returned to it's normal, solid rpm and the gas mileage went back up a few mpg.
The point was that sometimes performance losses are overlooked or not realized, either on purpose or by accident.
Either way, from what Ive seen the consensus is to stick with OEM plugs for best performance (Motorcraft/Autolite).