Date: Thu, 27 Dec 2001 14:21:27 -0600
Reply-To: Stan Wilder <wilden1@JUNO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stan Wilder <wilden1@JUNO.COM>
Subject: Re: Cut you spark plugs
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Multiple electrode spark plugs are the norm in aircraft engines where
fouling can be very serious. After WWII there were numerous varieties of
multi electrode plugs introduced to help old engines, oil burners and
engines running on poor fuel to overcome fouling that was all too common
in engines running leaded fuels.
If your engine is in good condition the purchase of multiple electrode
plugs might be a waste of money or just overkill.
If you're interested in doing your own testing, install the plugs fill
the fuel tank full up and run it 100 miles at 60 mph without stopping for
a restroom break or anything else. Check the plugs and install the stock
plugs and run back under the same rules. Make this plug change at a
service station and monitor your fuel use after a run over the top fill
up. There you've answered your own question.
I'd speculate that some vehicles will perform better with the multiple
electrode plugs and visa versa.
Another simple test is to set three spark plugs at .010 and one at .016,
you'll immediately notice that you're getting premature spark by the
detonation under load.
So when that individual stated that these multiple electrode spark plugs
could ruin an engine he was most likely speaking from experience of pre
detonation that indeed will shorten engine life. The proper multiple
electrode plugs would probably not detonate improperly.
Beware of your favorite FLAPS, they've handed me *get by* heat ranges
many times and boy you should see the wide variety of rotor arms they've
put on me. Check the applications manual published by the Spark Plug
manufacturer (FLAPS will have one). Many times manufacturers move a part
number into a broader category to soften inventory loads and specialized
vehicles like Vanagons just get lumped in with a broader range of
vehicles.
Here is one I've always wondered about, 80-83 Air Cooled run solid core
spark plug wires, the resistor is at the plastic plug connector end
(approx 1 OHM) but I've had both solid core and resistance coil wires
furnished with solid core wire sets. Both coil wires seem to function OK.
I speculate that the resistance coil wire is for static supression
relating to car radios although neither seem to zizz my radio.
Stan Wilder
83 Air Cooled Westfalia
On Thu, 27 Dec 2001 13:29:19 -0600 Chris Stann <ChrisS@INFORMS.COM>
writes:
> >Multiple electrode spark plugs do not create multiple sparks. The
> extra
> >electrodes are there just in case the other ones fail. So in this
> case I
> don't see the reason to pay extra for fancy spark plugs for our
> Vanagons
> (content) when well maintained OEM plugs will do just the same.
> <<<SNIP
>
> Yes... BUT
>
> The un-shrouding of the spark and exposing it to the gas mixture has
> a
> desirable effect on efficient combustion. The Bosch +4 are
> better in
> this aspect than our OEM plugs.
>
> I personally noticed that my WBX runs more smoothly and more eagerly
> with
> Bosch +4 as opposed to the OEM recommended plugs.
>
> Chris.
>
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