They are advertised on TV for $25 each.These plugs claim to put out 1M watts of electricity, resulting in better fuel consumption and higher performance. Do you think this is a gimmick? Wouldn't something with that high electricity hasten damage to the pistons?
2007-09-24 08:19:46 · 7 answers · asked by kontrolfreak66 6 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I thought I had been a mechanic long enough to have seen every spark plug fad.....but I guess not.
Here is the long and short of it. Voltage is produced at the coil level but can somewhat be altered at the spark plug. By increasing the gap, you increase the voltage needed to jump it. This only works up to a point of course, as your ignition system would need to have the voltage available. Any gains in voltage are reduced because cars use resistor plugs and wires to prevent electrical interference for your electronics and radio (and for those around you). I'm guessing if you cut these plugs apart you would find a gap in the wire. It's not a new idea and others have used this. Those postings above mine telling you to save your money are spot on target.
The most promising spark plug fad I have seen (and used) is indexing. The plug gap is located according to your valve layout for the most even burn. They sell expensive washer kits to achieve this, but you can do the same thing using new plugs that have "give" in the stock washer. A new set of plugs and knowledge of where to position them for your motor is all you need to gain .0000915 horse power.
And to answer your last question. Extra heat can damage a piston, but electrical output of a plug will not. Great question. You will probably save many people from wasting money on this gimic.
2007-09-24 08:58:16 · answer #1 · answered by aGhost2u 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Can you say smoke and mirrors? Spark plugs DO NOT generate electricity, The ignition system does and most stock units are limited to around 40,000 volts.
No, the high voltage will not damage the pistons and could result in better burn..but the plugs will not do this.
Good Luck
PS Had good luck with Split Fires..Do NOT go four electrode Bosch
2007-09-24 08:25:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The plugs can't affect how much juice the rest of the electrical system is feeding them. Put a set of those and some of them magical gas line magnets in your car and you may never have to buy gas again!
2007-09-24 08:26:20 · answer #3 · answered by Brian A 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Save your money. Spark plugs don't PRODUCE electricity, they merely channel the electricity produced by the ignition system of the car. Buy a good name-brand plug (Champion, NGK, Bosch), and you'll do fine.
2007-09-24 08:26:11 · answer #4 · answered by Galaxie500XL 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just had spark plugs replaced by my mechanic (64,000 miles, Taurus SEL) and asked him why they were so expensive (around $10 each). He said that the ones he removed were these special ones, made of ??? (titanium?) and they are made to last for at least 60,000 miles, unlike normal ones which last for 20-40,000 miles.
He could have replaced them with the cheaper ones but we made the decision to have the titanium ones put back in so my daughter wouldn't have to replace them again next year (she uses the car at college).
2007-09-24 08:40:48 · answer #5 · answered by justme 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The spark plugs don't put out voltage, the coil does. Plugs merely create an arc. Don't fall for it.
2007-09-24 08:24:48 · answer #6 · answered by bikinkawboy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I call that Major BULL $HlT
2007-09-24 08:33:22 · answer #7 · answered by spammer 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋