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on the periodic table the elements seem equally as dense

2007-07-29 15:05:59 · 4 answers · asked by john b 3 in Cars & Transportation Maintenance & Repairs

4 answers

As a general rule, anything that cost more is better. But yes Iridium is far Superior.

2007-07-29 15:19:13 · answer #1 · answered by Mr. Jon 5 · 3 4

It's really not even about it being a harder metal it's that it can run at a higher temperature without igniting the mixture. Once a plug starts glowing it will cause pre-ignition, which will literally eat through a piston. Being able to run hotter without igniting the mixture allows the spark plug to be self-cleaning. This allows the spark plug to run so hot that it literally cooks off any buildup, making for a plug that lasts longer and runs better. Is it worth it? Generally, yes but don't bother going the extra mile for the 4 prong plugs.

2016-03-16 02:20:58 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0 0

the difference is NOT with performance, but with longetivity.
Platnum plugs are good for about 50,000 miles. double platnums (where the tip and electrode are both platnum metal) are good for about 60,000. an Iridium tipped plug should be good for about 85,000. the manufacturers say 100,000, even 110,000. You do NOT want to leave a plug in that long, as removing it will be very difficult, and the threads in the head sometimes can strip out at the same time of removal.
I saw a plug the other day, an NGK of all plugs that separated in the head. the ceramic insulator (white part) broke loose while the plug was still in the cylinder head. needless to say, it was in for way to long.
you'll see other plugs like finewire platnum or finewire iridium, or the new one, laser platnum/laser iridium.
what the laser means, is the tip was laser welded in place. It doesn't mean anything more.
usually the tip is a needle point tip or fine wire tip. it's designed to last longer and not erode like a regular platnum or copper plug.

Is an iridium worth it? if you do a lot of driving, then yes, it's worth the extra so you don't have to swap plugs as soon, but remember, don't leave a plug in more than 80,000. the manufacturer doesn't care about the details, the idea is to get you to buy their car because you don't have to do a tuneup as frequently.

2007-07-29 15:17:31 · answer #3 · answered by Eric F 6 · 1 2

There's no difference in spark plug performance iwth different metals. The ideolgy behind the platinum plugs is emissions.

They discovered many years ago that if they plated the cylinder walls on diesels with a coupke microns of platinum and added some alcohol to the diesel that it burned cleaner than gasoline.

Way too expensive to use platinum on every motor built and they even experimented with the fuel and added platinum and this had the same effect.

So, a minute smattering of platinum via the spark plugs helps to some degree accomplish the lower emission spec's.

It is not advisable to leave the spark plugs in any engine for 100K since you may not get the plugs out of the cylinder head after this length of service and time.

Good Luck!

2007-07-29 15:18:04 · answer #4 · answered by CactiJoe 7 · 0 5

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