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Engine & DrivetrainDiscussions about the engine and drivetrain of your vehicle.
This is a discussion thread titled "My Impression of Bosch plus 4 plugs", within the Engine & Drivetrain forum, part of the Technical & Vehicle Assistance Forums category.
I just started my 30,000 mile service on my tundra (doing another section every weekend) and put in Bosch Platinum plus four plugs this weekend.
The first thing I noticed is that there is no way those plugs were tightened from the factory to 13 ft-lbs. Those things were just barely in there. If I cocked my wrist and got a little momentum going on the ratchet handle before flicking the switch (only momentum) it was enough to knock them loose. I didn't need to use much more than handle momentum to break any of them loose.
I only tightened them to 11.5 ft-lbs and they still were much, much tighter than from the factory. Doing it again, I wouldn't have used a torque wrench and simply done them "hand snug".
The first few miles there DEFINITELY was more pep and acceleration that exceeded what I'd expect from new plugs over old plugs. However, there was also a definite knock under hard acceleration. When I heard it I thought, "uh-oh bit of pinging going on there".
After 10 minutes of driving though, things settled down and after 20 minutes I can accelerate hard and it's "normal" again. I think it took a little while for the computer to adjust.
We'll have to see whether long term they were worth the 6 dollars each. I really don't expect much now, but in the miles beyond 12,000 miles I don't expect to see diminished performance as with "normal" plugs.
Kind of like synthetic, it's not the front end gains but the rear end gains that you notice.
We'll see...... Could be I go back to $2 plugs and change them early to keep top performance. I'll see if I see any efficiency gains in gas mileage.
The old plugs were in okay shape with mild deposit build up. I haven't checked the gap on the old plugs to see how much they wore away, but it looked considerable.
I do expect some gas mileage increase. The power increase I first felt has dropped back to normal. Might be just a little bit peppier, but that's just new plugs.
Originally posted by KLS Alan, thanks for the report.
The question remains, would you truck have been as peppy with new standard plugs?
Ken
I think so, but there is a caveat that I'll note at the end. Due to the platinum there is a difference in resistance of the plugs, I'm sure, but for the most part I don't think that it's not much different than if I just put new u-grooves in for two bucks each.
But the thing I am expecting is that 12,000+ mile from now there will be a lot less wear on the plugs so I'll have more power then and it's worth the extra money not to have to change plugs then. Time will tell if it makes economic sense.
The truck does seem a little quicker when hitting the throttle from a stop, but for that matter now it seems to even stop better!!! (I'm serious about the braking, by the way....) Maybe the temp was just right on the rotors heading home.
Honestly, since the spark is going to follow the path of least resistance, I really don't believe multiple paths are going to have a larger spark (especially under pressure), but muliple paths (4) will allow for only so much wear before it starts to jump to the next closest electrode.
I measured my old plugs this evening and assuming that they were .031 at the factory, they were at .035+ (less than .0015 over .035 though) when I yanked them.
I'll see if there's a difference in gas mileage. No difference, no performance gain - regardless as to what I think it "feels" like.
After a couple of tanks, I'll let people know what I see. One thing that complicates things though is that it's getting into air conditioning weather so I'll be using more gas to offset the new plugs. I'm holding off on the injector cleaner as when that's in the tank my mpg usually goes up.
You know, though, on my Pathfinder when I swapped the oem plugs to platinum +4, I did notice a definite jump in power from the line. And the engine was burning a lot hotter. I was worried about the pistons/valves and pulled out the plugs, put in new u-grooves and found the temp was still the same (hotter vs the old plugs) but the "jumpy" gain in power was no longer there with the u-grooves. You feel it jumps faster than you are used to when you put the throttle down with the +4s. So I had a before and after with fresh plugs in both cases and I'd say the +4s did have more power. The u-grooves are supposed to have a larger spark too, but they didn't have the same "zip".
Don't know what to make of that. But I did feel a difference with new plugs vs new +4 plugs on the same vehicle at the same time. It's all subjective from "feel" so unless I can measure it somehow, I can't say that it exists and I won't maintain that it does. Perception is a funny thing......
I too recently switched over to the Bosch Platinum Plus fours. I definitely noticed a difference in low end torque/ acceleration. As far as the gapping they come factory preset. The factory rep stated the gap setting is different then what Toyota requires due to the four electrodes. I think they were worth the $6 especially since Bosch is giving a rebate which lowers your final cost to about $4 a plug. Just my $.02
Originally posted by dwagner825 I think they were worth the $6 especially since Bosch is giving a rebate which lowers your final cost to about $4 a plug. Just my $.02
I have found several places that sell the plus 4s but no one knows anything about a rebate. Where did you buy yours with the $2 rebate. Any help and direction would be appreciated. I am in the Phoenix area.
I bought mine at Autozone. I checked with them today and that was a limited rebate program. However, Bosch still has a 60 cent per plug rebate. You can go to the website at www.boschusa.com and type in "rebate" in their search engine. You can then download the rebate form. Plus sending in your rebate enters you into their 100th anniversary sweepstakes. Hope this helps.
Here is a tip on how to gap the Bosch +4 sparkplugs:
Use the base of a drill bit to check electrode air gap. The smooth base of a 9/64 inch diameter drill bit fits snugly into the air gap that separates all 4 electrodes of a new +4 plug.
By the way, I've been running the +4 plugs for about a year now. I'll pull them out in a few months to check for deposits and any wear after over 10K miles of use.
Here is a tip on how to gap the Bosch +4 sparkplugs:
Use the base of a drill bit to check electrode air gap. The smooth base of a 9/64 inch diameter drill bit fits snugly into the air gap that separates all 4 electrodes of a new +4 plug.
By the way, I've been running the +4 plugs for about a year now. I'll pull them out in a few months to check for deposits and any wear after over 10K miles of use.
Jimbo
Jimbo, I didn't check the gap on my plugs when I put them in, but it will be interesting to see your results as I'm 10,000 miles behind you.
i have the denso iridiums on my sequoia, but i understand this plugs are good only for about 30,000 miles i am at 29,500 right now. has anyone tried both plugs? i know the bosch plugs last a lot longer than the iridiums and they are also cheaper.
john
here's anonther tip for gapping those platinum plugs...YOU DON'T
you'll flatten or damage the small amount of platinum on the plug.
those plugs should come pre gapped. this comes from my good buddy who has worked for auto parts stores along time.
Originally posted by blkcruiser i have the denso iridiums on my sequoia, but i understand this plugs are good only for about 30,000 miles i am at 29,500 right now. has anyone tried both plugs? i know the bosch plugs last a lot longer than the iridiums and they are also cheaper.
john
I think any plug you purchase is good at least up to 25/30K and after that it's how lucky you are. You're completely safe by following the manufactures recommendations on changing plugs. Several of my friends just take them out at 25K, look at em and if there's no visible problems they put them back in for another 20K that is, if their platinum, however, if they’re copper they hit the electrode with a wire brush and a little fine emery cloth and back in they go for another 20K. I haven't tried the Bosch +4 but I seriously doubt it's going to give you any more performance than the stock plug. I got stupid - again - and put in NGK Iridium IX's believing their slick marketing even though I knew better from many past experiences that I wasn't going to gain a damn thing over stock. I've got a couple K's on NGK Iridium IX's now and I can attest to the fact that I have received absolutely no benefit from my $6.20 per plug cost. Should have purchased the basic Platinum plug for $2.30 a piece and spent the rest on beer. Here's the Iridium's propaganda. http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/product.../iridiumix.asp
My Impression of Bosch plus 4 plugs
(I'm serious about the braking, by the way....) Maybe the temp was just right on the rotors heading home.
Bosch Plats Plus four Opinion
Bosch Platinum Plus fours - Rebate
