It was .047, eeeeeeee. I think it was supposed to be .028-.032. I think that is why it struggled somewhat when driving uphill at higher rpm. I happen to have a set of bosch +4 platinums, so I popped those in. When I checked parts places it did list the bosch 4417 as a replacement so it should be ok. Maybe over time the plugs' tips wore down so the gap got bigger. I bought the car with 84k miles, but I don't think they are stock. Most likely someone didn't know what they were doing and gaped them too big I am guessing. I would think they come pregaped somewhat close to specs. Does anyone have experience with bosch +4?

I have bought plugs that were that far off right from the factory.

Personally, Id stick to stock or stock equiv.

I have bought plugs that were that far off right from the factory.

Personally, Id stick to stock or stock equiv.

Oh ok, then the person that changed them didn't bother to check to make sure. I just happen to have the bosch set from a previous car. I think I had like 2k miles on them. I like stock too. The ones I took out were ngk. I could probably just clean off the electrode with a file and regap or get some new ones, but for now I am curious to see how the bosch with do. I had a 92 mr2 and when i changed to bosch+4 I noticed a much smoother engine. I think I've used iridiums in most of my cars. It was probably overkill.

make sure those bosch are the right temp range... otherwise you will have all sorts of problems.

My experience has always been stock perform the best, and give best MPG. Its what the computer was programmed for.

Yeah, it made a big difference. The gap on the other plugs was making it struggle at high rpm. It drive so much smoother now. I called pepboys just to double check and the bosch are the correct ones.

Chuck out the junk Bosch platinums, I've seen them cause so many issues in so many engines, it's just pathetic. The bosch are universal replacements for many engines, just like Autolite and such do, they can't be bothered to make all the different plugs for all the engines out there.

The gap is 1.1 mm or about .043".

Use a good set of conventional NGK or Denso plugs.

Preference for me is NGK, Regards

Richard

When I went online to find the gap it said .028-.032, but Fred said it was .043. Anyone confirm this?

It's how he earns his living, I trust what he says but you have given him no information to work with.

Since I don't know the exact yr/model of your Accord, I looked up a '97 EX, NGK ZFR5F-11

The 11 indicated the gap, 1.1 mm. It should also be on the sticker under your hood.

Chuck out the junk Bosch platinums, I've seen them cause so many issues in so many engines, it's just pathetic. The bosch are universal replacements for many engines, just like Autolite and such do, they can't be bothered to make all the different plugs for all the engines out there.

The gap is 1.1 mm or about .043".

Use a good set of conventional NGK or Denso plugs.

Amen, Amen, and AMEN!!!! :notworthy :notworthy :notworthy

Sorry, didn't mean to doubt. He was definitely correct. I will get some conventional plugs asap. Thanks Fred and everyone else!

I don't think that any one has shown any real proof of performance, or economy gains for any of the various high dollar plugs.

The ONLY use I've found for any of them is the Bosch Platinum (NOT the plus 4, just the regular Platinum plug) which is great if you happen to have an engine that is using a lot of oil. The small electrode doesn't foul any where near as easily as a conventional plug does when there is a lot of oil present.

In a properly operating engine though, I would stick with a good quality set of conventional plugs, properly gapped, as they will yield the best results every time.

Use a good set of conventional NGK or Denso plugs.

As in the v power model, not platinum?

On the older (pre 00) I4 Accords they spec'd conventional plugs. Your '00 spec'd platinums.

I doubt they changed anything in the ignition system, as far as coil output, to make up for the much worse conductivity of platinum, but I don't see it as an issue if a person was to put the same model plug but with platinum or iridium electrodes in place of regular plugs.

If you put platinums in, I'd check them at 60k miles, replace at 105k. Iridiums, put in and leave until 110 or 120k.

Your '00 spec'd platinums.

If you put platinums in, I'd check them at 60k miles, replace at 105k. Iridiums, put in and leave until 110 or 120k.

You da man! :thmsup: I put plugs in shorlty after I bought my car, about 50k ago, but I don't remember the style/brand. I know they're not NGK's, but they cold be denso's. :dunno: I've had no problems with them, so I imagine I could just check them and see how they're looking.

Mine is an 01 that originally came with the NGK double plats. I replaced them at 105K and checked the gap then, just for the grins. They were perfect. They're still in my emergency repair kit.

The same plugs were $12-$15 per plug back then, so I put in the copper V-power NGK's and have had no economy or drivability issues since. Pepboys carries the V-powers in my area and they sell for $2/plug and last ~40K. I don't mind having to replace these more often since I have the I-4 and changing plugs is a 15-20 minute job. My current set has 20K on them, so I'm good to 225K or so.

If I had the V6, I might go back with the plats if the back bank is a PITA to get to. How about it V6 guys, is it easy to get to the back bank plugs?

I agree with the others, use NGK or Denso plugs only in Honda vehicles.

On the V6, I'd use the platinums or iridiums if available. I've taken plugs out of these with up to 150k on them, and they look nearly new.

The standard copper plugs, changing every 30k would be a pita on the 6 with COP.

So here's a quick comparison, for ease of comparison figure every 30k for copper, 120k for either plat or iridium, on a V6 (gen 6)

72.36 for platinum plugs at 120k, 12.06 each.

69.36 for coppers changed every 30k, 2.89 each. 52.02 if you change every 30k.

46.98 for iridiums at 120k, 7.89 each.

I got the prices from sparkplugs.com, prices seem very reasonable.

FredSVT:

I'm sticking with OEM (Denso) plugs for my '02. I plan to change them around 105-110K miles. Aside from price, as you note above, any significant difference in the "J30" between using Platinum versus using Iridium plugs? :dunno:

No, not that I can tell. The A4 and up use iridiums. Since they are less money, I'd change to them if I had one that calls for plats.

It may idle a bit smoother. The early J30s did have an idle roughness that can be felt through the whole car in neutral or park.

FredSVT:

As you say, I DO notice a tad bit of idling roughness, until the engine reaches NOT (Normal Operating Temperature). After that, it runs silky smooth. Being bone-stock oriented, I guess I'll spring the extra $$$$ for the OEM Denso Platinums. Factory original sure is hard to beat, in Ol' Warden's Book! :D

.

69.36 for coppers changed every 30k, 2.89 each. 52.02 if you change every 30k.

46.98 for iridiums at 120k, 7.89 each.

Hi Fred,

Using your example of 120K miles, I would replace the copper NGK V-powers 3 times. PepBoys has them locally for $1.99 + tax, so about $8.70 for the set X 3=$26.10. I've left them for 45K on occasion, but usually I check/adjust gap @25K or so. As you well know, the plugs on the 2.3L I-4 are quick to pull/insert and there are no plastic shrouds to remove to gain access.

The original plugs would be ~$15 (from the dealer locally) + tax X 4 for my engine.

This works for me, others that don't want to open the hood are best letting the tech-reps put the more expensive plugs back in to mitigate the labor expense.