Good thing I changed the spark plugs!

[ericsmith32]

I'm guessing something got into cylinder knocking off the tip and over time it rounded out? I didn't do a compression test although it ran good. All the other plugs looked normal, the plugs were Bosch super starts. Put in NGK plugs and BWD nascar select wires, cap and rotor. Might be overkill but I'm tired of paying for cheap china junk although the BWD's was made in mexico.

[FB71]

nope, Bosch plugs are just that crappy. I highly doubt anything 'got into' the cylinder, because you have significant damage! It looks like the tip of the center electrode just fractured off, then the remainder was rounded over by spark errosion.

[ericsmith32]

Figures.. I've had bad luck with 2's and 4's so I steer clear of Bosch's!

[MONSOON]

I dont think a cleaning and regap is gonna help those!
This is just 1 more reason Ill never buy Bosch again.

[JohnGunn]

Figures.. I've had bad luck with 2's and 4's so I steer clear of Bosch's!

When Bosch first introduced their 2 electrode platinum plugs I got a set and was blown away by how much more power they provided. From that moment I became a Bosch devotee; moved on to 4's and when the Fusion IR came out I bought a set of them. I should say the only time I noticed that vast performance improvement was after the first set, and I bought them because I had noticed a slight miss when accelerating before the engine had warmed up.

Then a couple months ago my car started to surge and then buck. I replaced everything but the plugs since they were the best Bosch made, had been in the car for only 5,000 miles and were, therefore, beyond suspicion.

The car continued to run poorly for over a month while I spent more money and time on my car than in all the previous 16 years I had owned it, trying to find the problem. Finally, when there wasn't anything left to replace, I bought a cheap set of NGK V-Power plugs. Problem Solved -- $10.

Now, when I hear anyone complain about driveability problems and start by asking about some expensive emission control module or sensor, I reply,

"Before you do anything else, replace the plugs with NKG, no matter when you last changed them or how much you trust the company who made them. If that doesn't fix the problem, you haven't lost anything. Just take them out, save them for your next tune up, and move on in your search, knowing you have eliminated the most likely source of this kind of problem."

I figure that advice, given often enough, will save hundreds or even thousands of dollars over time. And I'm only asking for 10%. (smile)

John Gunn
Coronado, CA

[ejp2fast]

while on topic of bosch plugs, i thought they made some of the best? i got a set of bosch platinum's on my girl right now- what should i replace them with?

[ericsmith32]

NGK's.. NGK's are the only plug I'd run on a import.

[Dustin]

I've used the Bosch Platinum+4's in several front drive V-6 GM products just because they are rated for 75,000 miles and it's such a p.i.t.a. to change them on those vehicles. The only problem I've had is the little chrome end coming unscrewed. I just tighten each one before installing now. The tip is removable for some motorcycle applications. I've had several sets go 75K+ with no issues. I've used NGK's too, nothing bad to say about them. The only plug I've seen fracture like the one in the picture was a Champion.

[takeone51]

the ngk v power's alwase seemed to run the best in my turbo cars.

[Fordverde]

I keep european with european and asian with asian. One time I put a set of NGK in to the VW of mine and they didnt last month, but with the Bosh is another story. When I bought the Festy, the lady who owned it had it put some Champion plugs(imaging that).
I have also an Oldsmobile and I never even dream in putting asian plugs in him; hes happy with the AC delco and the autolite.