SPS spark plug wires and Bosch Platinum +4

I installed SPS performance spark plug wires and Bosch Platinum +4 plugs about 20K miles ago. Everything seems to be working fine, but I realized recently that I never checked whether or not the plugs and wires were resistively matched. Also, I'm fairly sure that the plug gap is different from the spec.

So:

  1. If I haven't been noticing any problems with radio RF interference, should I stop worrying?

  1. Should I change the plugs for Platinum +4s that are gapped to the spec?

  2. What is the typical replacement interval for a plug wire? For plugs? The wires have a "limited lifetime warranty", and the plugs have a 100K mile replacement interval, I think.

Thanks,

Ted

1996 Black-Gold SC2
Reply to
Ted Wong
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Interference or not doesnt mean a thing if you have a dead plug or wire.

You dont gap Bosch plugs... You pitch them. +2's, +4's, Splitfires etc etc are 100% pure gimmick and all Bosch spark plugs just suck. They are easily fouled and the platinum tips fall out. The 100k mile warranty is a joke. One set pays for the next two sets you will trade in way before that.

This varies greatly. Best to do visual inspections every so often. .. .. This is basically a rehash of things I've said here before...

Get an ohm meter and ALWAYS check to make sure the wires you get are good! I have gotten many many bad ones right out of the box. The name brand of wires honestly does not matter. The resistance and long term condition does. The resistance of the wires for a S-series Saturn should be no greater than 12,000 OHMS (12k ohms). If you tug, bend, or look at your wires wrong they could be damaged so if in doubt check the resistance again.

Buy some Dielectric or Silicon grease, if none comes with the wire set, and apply it to the insides of the spark plug boots. This will prevent corrosion and keep the boots from sticking.

(Compression Sense Timing depends greatly upon good plugs, wires, and their connection.)

Wires should be replaced at the same time as the plugs or sooner if they are in poor shape. If you aren't careful in routing them something can and will rub through the insulation in a short period of time. Carefully adding wire looms over the plug wires in area's highly prone to chafing will protect them.

There are only two types of spark plugs I recommend. AC Delco and Autolite both in Double Platinum since this is a "Waste Spark" Ignition System. Some here swear by NGK.

Double Platinum plugs should last 80k miles. Non platinum plugs last about 30k tops. (Depends on how often they spark, not how far you drive.)

The original spec for Spark Plug Gaps on S-Series Saturn's was .060" It was later changed to .040" and this is in all the parts books now. I have read where some had noticed an impact on fuel economy with this change...Unconfirmed though.

And as always apply a little Anti Seize compound on the upper threads of the spark plug.

Reply to
BläBlä

I have to agree with this one...Bosch is not what it says.

The Saturns don't like the platinums at all. They seem to last for about 5-8K and start to get very fouled due to the waste spark.

Yes this was an experiment with Saturn. They did change it back although there are still stickers out there that say the old gaping. All and all get rid of the platinums and go back to the NGKs or Delco and you should be fine (of course after checking the wire like mentioned above that is)

Reply to
nofalt

Who the hell feed you that crap? Waste spark causes wear to the outer electrode, not fouling. (Hence why you should buy double platinum over single platinum.) If you want to argue fouling find another excuse than "waste spark". Nearly everything GM made with Waste Spark ignition uses double platinum plugs pre installed from the factory without issue. If you cant get the plugs I mentioned to last more than 60,000 miles then you have other issues.

Reply to
BläBlä

Well, looks like it's time to change the plugs. I'll check the wires with a multimeter.

Thanks,

Ted

1996 Black-Gold SC2
Reply to
Ted Wong

I am soooo glad that you are fortunate to have good luck with the double plats, really I am. Now with additude you display are you trying to convince me or yourself that the more money you spend the better they are?? I wasn't presenting an argument at all. I was simply passing on information compliled from a very informative, invaluable websight on Saturns. If you hit the

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websight then you can read all the testomonies about people and the problems they have had with the plats. I don't claim to know a thing...which I am sure you will agree, again I was simply passing on info. Again let me re-state I am glad you are fortunate to have good luck with any Plats.

Reply to
nofalt

Define better because at no point did I make such a statement. However the few bucks more you spend on platinums the more money and time you will save in the long term. If that is what you mean by better then yes they are better.

Yes I've been to that site many times. And other people there have had no issues running platinums. I've also see those few people who said problems were caused by "waste spark"... You should question their credibility if that's what they think their problems stem from.

Just to be clear I asked who feed you that crap, at no point did I say you were full of crap. You can pass on information but if it is faulty I am going to challenge it. Northstars, 3800's, 3100's, 3400's, etc etc etc all have had Waste Spark ignition systems with Double Platinum plugs from the factory. I can't remember replacing any of the factory double platinum plugs in them any sooner than 70k miles. So I guess GM has also had a lot of "luck" with them as well. ;-)

Reply to
BläBlä

BTW I like your screen name. No you are absolutly correct on GM running Plats. Ironicly I run them in my 98 3800 Lumina. I do like them. I am taking the word of several others that the Saturns just don't like them...well okay the older Saturns whne GM stayed their distance. I was yanking a little chain on you on the last post about the cost to continue the discussion. You answered quite well and I thank you :~) Thanks for the discussion. Rob

Reply to
nofalt

I measured the SPS wires I have again. Wire 4 is 367 Ohms, Wire 1 is

597 Ohms. Haven't yet measured Wires 2 and 3. Assuming that I'm not measuring the resistance incorrectly (put one multimeter probe in one end of the wire, and the other probe in the other end), should I be worried about very low resistance? A visual check of the wires while the engine is running indicates that there's no arcing along wires, i=2Ee., no worn insulation.

I just got a pack of Autolite double-platinums. If the wires are still good, I'll keep the wires and just replace the sparks.

Regards,

Ted

1996 Black-Gold SC2
Reply to
Ted Wong

I am sure Bl=E4Bl=E4 will chime in here (and hope he does..do you agree??) but did you move the wire(s) while you were checking them? Somtimes a wire will check good but have a crack in them and it shows up if you slightly move the wires in a snake like fashion. DON'T bend them in half but just gently wiggle them with the meter attatched. If the reading changes up and down you have a bad wire or the on set of a bad wire. Just a suggestion Rob

Reply to
nofalt

replying to nofalt, zronmm wrote: I am an ACFT Technician and have owned 3 now, an SL-1, SW-2 and now I've bought an LS2. Regardless ALL piston engine aircraft engines use 4 electrode plugs and have since WWII (it prevents FOULING!) Antilock brakes, fly by wire, autopilot, authorize have worked great on aircraft for years; luckily we don't have any of these NUISANCES on any automobiles, do we?

Reply to
zronmm

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