bosch platium spark plugs
#1
bosch platium spark plugs
i bought a 1993 f150 with a 351 it has run rough at idle since i bought it. i pulled out bosch supers and installed bosch platiums .ive recently heard that these plugs seem to cause fords to idle rough.cant see why .. if any one has input on this please let me know as i cant see how an expensive plug can cause this. thanks scott
#2
bosch platium spark plugs
That's probably another rumor that gets spread around with a life of its own, you know?
Ford dealers sell an Autolite platinum plug for older vehicles, for that matter.
I use Bosch Platinum +2 plugs in my '96 and it idles just fine. They replaced a set of Bosch regular platinum plugs that were in there maybe 30,000 miles.
Ford dealers sell an Autolite platinum plug for older vehicles, for that matter.
I use Bosch Platinum +2 plugs in my '96 and it idles just fine. They replaced a set of Bosch regular platinum plugs that were in there maybe 30,000 miles.
#3
#4
bosch platium spark plugs
I've used Bosch platinums for years in a variety of vehicles with nary a problem. I put a set in my Taurus (3.0 Vulcan) and pulled them every 15,000 or so to gap and clean them, then put 'em right back into the same hole. Finally replaced them at 70,000 miles (probably more out of unfounded worry than anything, they were still running fine). Never had a misfire, no start, or poor mileage (25+ MPG highway @ 200,000 miles) For my money they're the best value out there.
Just my .02...
Shilly
Just my .02...
Shilly
#5
bosch platium spark plugs
I had a similar problem with my 5.0. I installed bosch Platiums and it didn't idle the same and it was hard to start. I installed a fresh set of Autolite 24's and Wala, smooth idle and fired up everytime. I read a thread here also about that and at the Mustang web site: www.corral.net
It seems it's a toss up. Another friend of mine has Bosch in his 5.0. with no problems. Go figure.
I'm going to stick with the Autolites myself.
It seems it's a toss up. Another friend of mine has Bosch in his 5.0. with no problems. Go figure.
I'm going to stick with the Autolites myself.
#6
bosch platium spark plugs
I just installed Bosch +4 w/Bosch premium wires and a Conrad cap & rotor w/brass inserts and I picked up 1 mpg. I just bought my truck and the plugs I pulled were autolite platinums and while the tips were in pretty good shape the threads were rusted all to pieces. My understanding of the Bosch plugs is that they are made of cadmium (sp?) or something and they won't rust up. You need the good electrical connection with the block to allow the charge to 'flow'. Prior to the tune up my truck fired up on the coldest days w/just a touch of the starter. One of the fastest starting engines I've ever owned. It seemed to drop off a little after the tuneup but now, 350 miles later, it starts just as fast again. I don't know if the computer 're-learned' the ignition or something. Also, prior to the tune up, it had a slight surge at idle. Idled fine but every 60 seconds you would feel a surge or bump in the idle. Most engines I've owned do this but not all. It still does it after the tuneup but not any worse than before. My throttle response has improved too. I was leary of using non-motorcraft parts too. I remember some older Fords that would run like crap w/non-motorcraft parts. So far my truck runs great and is getting better mileage and better throttle response. But with the age of the replaced components any plug and wire set would probably have given me the same results. (sorry for the ramble but this is my story)
1994 Black/Silver F150 XLT 4x4 Reg Cab / Short Bed, 3.55 LSD, 5.8L w/85k miles, K&N drop-in w/bored out box
Upgrade wish list: 31x10.5, Gibson exhaust, Superchip???, helper springs, lights
1994 Black/Silver F150 XLT 4x4 Reg Cab / Short Bed, 3.55 LSD, 5.8L w/85k miles, K&N drop-in w/bored out box
Upgrade wish list: 31x10.5, Gibson exhaust, Superchip???, helper springs, lights
#7
Join Date: Jan 2001
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bosch platium spark plugs
I record every event on all my vehicles, including every fuel fillup, oil change, etc.
Because of my diligent record-keeping, I have documented proof that at least in my case, installing Bosch platinum plugs caused a 10 percent reduction in fuel economy.
This occurred on two vehicles, a 92 Mustang 5.0 and a 91 Explorer.
I would never have suspected the plugs as culprits unless I had consistently recorded my fuel consumption. I noticed that the mpg was off slightly on one vehicle. I didn't take any action for several weeks, then decided to do an analysis of my data, and there is was right in front of me - the mileage dropped consistently with the installation of the plugs. Then I checked the other vehcile, which incidentally, I did the plug replacement at a different time.
I graphed the mpg using ms excel and it was obvious that there was a connection between the plug change and the mpg.
I immediately went and bought new Motorcraft plugs, installed them, and not surprisingly, the mpg came back up.
What makes this hard to believe is that both vehicles ran very smoothly with the new plugs, they just burned more fuel.
I have learned over the years that spot-checking fuel economy will give you false results. There are just too many variations to rely on one or two fillups. Sure, you can tell if you're getting 15 or 25, but your long term average will vary as much as 3 - 5 mpg over what you may think you are getting in spot checks. Even averaging 5 fillups shows a lot of variation.
Winford
Because of my diligent record-keeping, I have documented proof that at least in my case, installing Bosch platinum plugs caused a 10 percent reduction in fuel economy.
This occurred on two vehicles, a 92 Mustang 5.0 and a 91 Explorer.
I would never have suspected the plugs as culprits unless I had consistently recorded my fuel consumption. I noticed that the mpg was off slightly on one vehicle. I didn't take any action for several weeks, then decided to do an analysis of my data, and there is was right in front of me - the mileage dropped consistently with the installation of the plugs. Then I checked the other vehcile, which incidentally, I did the plug replacement at a different time.
I graphed the mpg using ms excel and it was obvious that there was a connection between the plug change and the mpg.
I immediately went and bought new Motorcraft plugs, installed them, and not surprisingly, the mpg came back up.
What makes this hard to believe is that both vehicles ran very smoothly with the new plugs, they just burned more fuel.
I have learned over the years that spot-checking fuel economy will give you false results. There are just too many variations to rely on one or two fillups. Sure, you can tell if you're getting 15 or 25, but your long term average will vary as much as 3 - 5 mpg over what you may think you are getting in spot checks. Even averaging 5 fillups shows a lot of variation.
Winford
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#8
bosch platium spark plugs
Ive been using Bosh Plat. plugs since Ive owned my truck. (94 F-150 .302)
Ive had this rough idle prob too. After every 6 months or so the idle seemed a little rough.
What seemed to work or at least trick the truck into thinking it was alright was reseting the computer back to factory specs.
To do this un plug the negative battery terminal on your battery and turn on your lights. This removes any residual electricity from the system. Do this for at least 30 minutes. While I got the battery un-done I check my air filters, clean and regap my plugs, pull the throttle body and clean this too. WD-40 is a god sent. Put all back together. Then reconnect the negative terminal. Ensure that all extra electronics (lights, radios, CB, etc) are off before starting the truck. Start the truck and let it iddle for 15 minutes and go for a 25+ mile drive. My job moves me around alot and doing this when I get to a new local seems to take care of the rough idle sometimes caused by higher elevations too. This seems to take care of the rough idle every time.
I hope this helps...
Ive had this rough idle prob too. After every 6 months or so the idle seemed a little rough.
What seemed to work or at least trick the truck into thinking it was alright was reseting the computer back to factory specs.
To do this un plug the negative battery terminal on your battery and turn on your lights. This removes any residual electricity from the system. Do this for at least 30 minutes. While I got the battery un-done I check my air filters, clean and regap my plugs, pull the throttle body and clean this too. WD-40 is a god sent. Put all back together. Then reconnect the negative terminal. Ensure that all extra electronics (lights, radios, CB, etc) are off before starting the truck. Start the truck and let it iddle for 15 minutes and go for a 25+ mile drive. My job moves me around alot and doing this when I get to a new local seems to take care of the rough idle sometimes caused by higher elevations too. This seems to take care of the rough idle every time.
I hope this helps...
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Billy177
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08-20-2003 06:36 PM