Spark Plugs

Just had a look at my spark plugs after I'd been experiencing some difficulty in cold starting over recent weeks (takes a while to fire up and then runs like its on 3 or 4 cylinders for a few seconds - really shudders - before running OK and then starts again fine once warm).

The plugs were a bit sooty, perhaps due to the fact that I just ran the engine for a couple of minutes but what surprised me is that the plugs seem to have eroded around the edge. The centre electrode and the tab bent over the top of it are untouched. I'm running Champion RS6YCC plugs, as supplied by Andreas in Germany, and they are set to 0.8mm as specified by Champion (well, as according to the R25 manual anyhow). Plug leads are "Hotwires Silicone High Performance" purchased from Halfords and retrofitted with the grommets (can't afford the Magnecor ones I'm afraid). Motor is a 1988 GTA Turbo.

I don't think this erosion pattern is normal - any ideas what might be causing it? Should I set the gap to .65mm as specified for the Eyquem plugs?

All ideas welcome

Andrew

Ill have a look into it, but from first impressions, the R in the champion code means its a resistor plug, which your not meant to run on a GTA turbo, the RS6YCC is also a standard copper core plug from Champion, and the code very closely cross references with the GTA atmo plug listing, not the turbo....but about the gap, it should be very close to 0.6mm, what ever plug.

Thanks David

I decided that I would set the gaps to .6mm while I had the plugs out. Interestingly - there was one plug that had not eroded in the same way as the rest. I think it had a smaller gap than the rest so I may have unwittingly answered my own question about the .8 or .6mm gap being best.

I'll take your advice about the resistor plugs and get a new set of plugs next week before I do any further damage.

Andrew

I bought my plugs from here

http://www.spark-plugs.co.uk

£2.00 a plug cheaper than anywhere else, might not sound much, but you do need 6

Heres the Plug Number and price

BP7EFVX £4.98

Yep, NGK's. These are the plugs I run in my GTA. Platinum tipped non resistor. On part throttle with no load, I noticed less misfire than with new original plugs (The ecu on part throttle with no load, i.e decelleration or cruising, cuts the fueling to a very minimal level to aid fuel economy, and you get quite audible misfires)

Too many company cars for too long.
I just replaced my spark plugs in the GTA and all the plugs removed look like they were oiled or greased on the threads. It is goog practice to grease the threads, I'm guessing it is to prevent corrosion and eventual seizure into the head. Is copper grease the stuff to use?

You want to put a smear on the threads ,copper grease is ok ,tiny ,tiny amount .Main thing is not to overtighten, finger tight then 1/4 turn .

i noticed mine was missing when holding it at 3000rpm in 3rd but as soon as it was boosting it was fine think my plugs are bosh are these any good

cheers lee, all done now.

BTW the old bosch plugs had a gap of .9mm, 50% more than they should have been, but they looked ok.

Hi,
I contacted Spark Plugs.co.uk a while back when I was faced with £8 per plug for the Eyquem type.

Below was their response:


Dear Mr Goldsmith,

Thank you for your enquiry.

For a 1989 Renault Alpine GTA V6 Turbo...

NGK list BP7EFVX ... this has a Platinum centre electrode and is priced at £5.47 per plug. It can be found on page...

http://www.spark-plugs.co.uk/pages/pric ... bm-bpr.htm

Alternatively Champion list OE050 - S6YC ... this has a standard Copper centre electrode and is priced at £1.70 per plug and can be found on page...

http://www.spark-plugs.co.uk/pages/pric ... -plugs.htm

With regard to shipping, orders despatched to UK destinations, under the value of £10.00 are charged £2.00 for postage. We cover the postage on UK orders over £10.00.

I hope this helps, if you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Thanks and best regards,

Rebecca Dolan.


Suffice to say I went for the S6YC Champion...because it was cheaper.
Havent had a problem with it starting or running - apart from this cold idle problem which I have now and again.. though I doubt if it has anything to do with spark plugs

I paid similar price for my Champions from my local motor factor, but cant help wondering why there is such a price difference!

[stephendell]

Turbos ran Eyquem 803LJS originally. This changed to 805LJS or 805LJSP on later models.

You can run NGK BP6EFS (803LJS), BP7EFS (805LJS) or BP7EFVX (805LJSP) all at 0.6mm in a Turbo without any problems although you are better off with the 7's.

The later plugs run very slightly hotter and the VX have a platinum centre electrode hence the higher price.

(Champion S6YC, S7YC, S7YCC and half a dozen others are also OK).

For the Atmo NGK BP6EF or BP6EFS at 0.7mm

For the A610 NGK BKUR7ET (triple electrode)

You don't need resistor plugs in a GTA.

Generally you will pay more for double copper or platinum electrodes.

hi

0.7mm shit just set all mine to 0.6mm
whats the best plug for my atmo
quote
For the Atmo NGK BP6EF or BP6EFS at 0.7mm
what is the difference between theese 2 ?
what should i buy?
confused now

alpinerob

hi

quote:

For the Atmo NGK BP6EF or BP6EFS at 0.7mm
what is the difference between theese 2 ?
what should i buy?

dg /stephen dell i need your advice again

i am going to the auto factors friday

what gap aswell ? aghhhhhhhh

alpinerob

[stephendell]

Either, the F have the grooved centre electrode and are the recommended type.