New 04/21/2006
This is from the TwEECer email list and is discussing the COP failures. Just though it would be interesting to see we aren't the only ones that have the Ford COP system and have failures.
Paul
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So I got around to changing my plugs after developing a slight rough idle
and seeing my fuel trims have a 10 percent difference from bank to bank and
I found something very interesting.
Vehicle: Ford Expedition 5.4 liter with Power dyne 6lb supercharger.
I only have 32000 miles and let me tell you what I found:
The platinum was still intact on all the plugs even after some hard running
with the supercharger, but it looks like a few of the plugs were firing from
the side of the center electrode evidenced by the erosion around the
platinum.
So effectively, these plugs were being fired at a gap of close to .080
instead of the spec of .056 or so..
Replaced the plugs with NGK Iridium (one heat range colder and gapped at
..045) and some Granatelli 0 Ohm COP boots and the thing is like a completely
different truck.
Could these Plugs be doing this for a lot of vehicles and accelerating the
Coil failures that seem to be plaguing the Ford Coil On Plug systems?
What do you guys think?
Matt
Matt Robinson
Engineer
Lockard & White, Inc.
http://www.lockardandwhite.com
www.lockardandwhite.com
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On his line of thinking I can attest to the fact I have not suffered a single COP since swapping to the ND
Iridium's. Yeah, the plugs were expensive but a full set was less then a single Motorcraft coil. Just something to consider.
Carter
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The Only Place I get Crap from using Bosch +4's is this List.
I'd like to see that Plug he diagnosed as side firing. Maybe the
insulator was cracked? 6 PSI is squat as far as combustion temps so
I'd say the supercharger DIDN'T Do it.
On his line of thinking I can attest to the fact I have not suffered a
single COP since swapping to the ND Iridium's. Yeah, the plugs were expensive
but a full set was less then a single Motor craft coil. Just something to
consider.
Eric
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My 94 loved the +2's....have never tried the +4's.
Rick Glass
'99 SF 93k Flowmasters Kirk'd
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Never tried them in either of my SHO's..... My Ranger HATED them however...
Scott K
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I'm switching to Motor craft Coppers.
Platinum's for long term life and I change plugs well before 100k. Iridium I have no need for. And coppers are dirt cheap but still give the best spark for a normal NA car.
Paul
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Hmmm well after just changing out my Bosch +4's after 50K, some were a little funky but the car was still running great. Bring it on - don't give a crap.
Larry E
97 Red
Mods
Welds
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When I bought my used '96 Mercury Sable in August 2000, I changed the plugs to NGK
Iridium's. I sold the Sable last August 2005 to one of my closest friends and before he got it, I thoroughly checked it to make sure he couldn't complain about anything. The NGKs were all like new except for the normal tan color. I was so impressed that when I bought the SHO last May, I changed the plugs to NGK
Iridium's.
'99 ES welded
I'm switching to Motorcraft Coppers.
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Platinum's for long term life and I change plugs well before 100k. Iridium I have no need for. And coppers are dirt cheap but still give the best spark for a normal NA car.
Paul
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Same here. Been running the copper plugs in my SHO's for years.
Dave Garber
Pittsburgh, PA
99 White, 97k
99 Silver, 80k
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The point of using copper plugs is the "best" spark but not the long life. They will out perform most other plugs at a fraction of the price of Iridium's. Platinum's only saving feature is the long life, period. They will under perform copper plugs electrically. And especially if you change the plugs every year anyway coppers are the way to go.....
Paul