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Spark Plugs Single pin Vs 4

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  • 11-02-2014 10:43am
    #1
    Alanstrainor
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 23,157 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    So I ordered some Denso spark plugs for my 325ci and I was expecting a 4 pin plug, but get a single and I was wondering what kind of difference this will make.

    I'm a bit peeved as I was hoping to get this done on the weekend.
    Tagged:


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    #2
    CJhaughey
    Registered Users Posts: 14,906 ✭✭✭✭CJhaughey


    I don't think it makes a whole pile of difference single electrode vs 4 electrodes.
    Are they Platinum or Iridium plugs?


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    #3
    Alanstrainor
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 23,157 Mod ✭✭✭✭Alanstrainor


    Cheers, they're Iridium.

    If its not going to make any noticeable difference then I'll fit them tbh. I'll compare them to the ones I take out on the weekend, and just fire ahead.


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    #4
    CJhaughey
    Registered Users Posts: 14,906 ✭✭✭✭CJhaughey


    I think the 4 electrode ones are aimed more at longer life with a cheap electrode, as they erode away different electrodes spark.
    With a single precious metal electrode the spark is probably better than being shadowed by 4 bulky electrodes.


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    #5
    jimgoose
    Registered Users Posts: 20,176 ✭✭✭✭jimgoose


    CJhaughey wrote: »
    I think the 4 electrode ones are aimed more at longer life with a cheap electrode, as they erode away different electrodes spark.
    With a single precious metal electrode the spark is probably better than being shadowed by 4 bulky electrodes.

    Aye. The Engineering Jury appear to be in two minds about this multi-electrode malarkey. First, as you say above about multiple electrodes shielding the spark from the fuel mix. Others maintain that with a spark arcing across the electrodes in a sort of web the ignition performance is improved. Personally I think there's a lot to be said for a good-quality single electrode iridium plug.

    On a related note, there seems to be two slightly different variants of iridium plug emerging lately, particularly from manufacturers like Denso. There's the long-life type, which runs an electrode around .7mm diameter much like "traditional" plugs and provides excellent performance and very long service life. There's also the type that runs a .4mm diameter, usually marketed as "Ultra High-Performance" or similar. These are supposed to give a strong, highly-focused spark without needing huge voltage, but wear out after about the same time as the likes of platinum plugs, and such.


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    #6
    Alanstrainor
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 23,157 Mod ✭✭✭✭Alanstrainor


    Mine is the 0.4mm, not terribly worried about the life of them to be honest. I just want to change them since the ones in there are most likely years old and I think i can notice it at idle. Curious to see how the spark plug replacement will change things.


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    #7
    Alanstrainor
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 23,157 Mod ✭✭✭✭Alanstrainor


    Well guys, I changed the plugs today, easy job, no surprises and the car is back and running smoother than ever. The old plugs looked like they were past their best. I don't know if it's me just imagining things but the car feels more responsive in the mid to high rev range. Most noticeably from maybe 4,500 to the red line. There's a definite kick there that wasn't as pronounced before!

    So cheers for the advice and opinions lads. Job done.


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    #8
    biko
    Registered Users Posts: 81,223 ✭✭✭✭biko


    Sound, a bit of new life in the car :)
    Out of interest how old were the plugs before?


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    #9
    Alanstrainor
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 23,157 Mod ✭✭✭✭Alanstrainor


    biko wrote: »
    Sound, a bit of new life in the car :)
    Out of interest how old were the plugs before?

    I've no idea! Well I've had the car almost 2 years, and there's no mention of plugs in any of the documentation I have with the car. So they could be any age tbh. Complete unknown. The old ones weren't BMW OEM plugs. Just did it to see what difference it would make.


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