XJS ( X27 ) 1975 - 1996 3.6 4.0 5.3 6.0

Iridium spark plugs: worth it?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 02-03-2010, 12:14 PM
BlackJack's Avatar
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Napa Valley, CA
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default Iridium spark plugs: worth it?

Starting with two premises: 1) the recommended interval for plug inspection/replacement is 30K miles, and 2) you have to remove the A/C compressor to access four front sparkplugs, the question is...

NGK make an Iridium electrode plug that is quite spendy at $18 each, but are guaranteed for 100K miles. Their standard plugs are around $4 each.

My A/C compressor needs replacement, so it's a good time to do the plugs as well.

At today's labor costs, assuming the A/C compressor has to come off every 30K miles to get to the plugs, isn't it money ahead to go with the iridium plugs?

Or, is this snake oil?

Thanks,

Lou
 
  #2  
Old 02-03-2010, 01:48 PM
peniole's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SCOTLAND!!!
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Short answer. Yes they're worth it, most new cars come with them OEM and have no tune up/plug inspection replacement till 100K.
 
  #3  
Old 02-03-2010, 02:42 PM
nosox's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Ciamis,West Java, Indonesia
Posts: 264
Received 30 Likes on 24 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by BlackJack
Starting with two premises: 1) the recommended interval for plug inspection/replacement is 30K miles, and 2) you have to remove the A/C compressor to access four front sparkplugs, the question is...

NGK make an Iridium electrode plug that is quite spendy at $18 each, but are guaranteed for 100K miles. Their standard plugs are around $4 each.

My A/C compressor needs replacement, so it's a good time to do the plugs as well.

At today's labor costs, assuming the A/C compressor has to come off every 30K miles to get to the plugs, isn't it money ahead to go with the iridium plugs?


Or, is this snake oil?

Thanks,

Lou
Hey Lou, can't comment on iridium,but I put NGK platinum plugs in Beatrix 5 yrs and 60000km ago,when I checked them in October they still looked basically new. I believe the extra cost justifies the time intensive job we V12 owners must deal with.(was my first time in there and was 3 hours)
Les
88 1/2XJ-S
 
  #4  
Old 02-03-2010, 03:25 PM
ken@britishparts.com's Avatar
Veteran Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 2,533
Received 21 Likes on 20 Posts
Default

It depends on the engine. If it's old Lucas style ignition, no. Old British cars and lawn mowers love Champion plugs.

http://www.motorcarsltd.com/RS9YC.html

Marrelli ignition cars take NGK:

http://www.motorcarsltd.com/EAC8554.html

The 6 cylinder models use a different Champion number:

http://www.motorcarsltd.com/EBC8143.html

No reason to over spend.
 
  #5  
Old 02-04-2010, 11:48 AM
BlackJack's Avatar
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Napa Valley, CA
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Thanks Ken & Les,

Well I think I have a Marelli ignition because the distributor cap is a Marelli...Therefore probably worth it to go with the iridium.

Thanks very much for the info.

Lou
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
wichita
E type ( XK-E )
8
04-16-2016 04:00 AM
Spazzzzzzzzzy
XJ40 ( XJ81 )
7
10-05-2015 04:05 PM
rhemler
New Member Area - Intro a MUST
8
10-04-2015 05:37 PM
Glenn Barickman
XK8 / XKR ( X100 )
0
10-01-2015 04:09 PM
Lawrence
XJ40 ( XJ81 )
3
10-01-2015 08:36 AM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


Quick Reply: Iridium spark plugs: worth it?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:40 PM.