Topic: Champion spark plugs?

[aquadorhj]

I just changed spark plugs on my jetta.

went to canadian tire originally to get some NGKs, but they didn't have platinum plugs for my car.
vwvortex people recommended copper NGKs, but apparently they don't last long.

so, instead, i picked up some Champion platinum (not iridium plugs.  they are quite expensive.    )
gapped to 0.032 inches.(perfectly gapped from straight out of package).

took about 30 minutes.

old spark plugs looked fine(btw, also NGKs with VW branded), but had some dried oil residue near where it plugs into coil pack. 

spark plugs, $18
gapping tool, $5
car starting right up, priceless.

BTW, everyone recommends NGK, and we used to use NGKs only when my father had the shop.  are Champion plugs not good?

[CatsEye68]

I just changed spark plugs on my jetta.

went to canadian tire originally to get some NGKs, but they didn't have platinum plugs for my car.
vwvortex people recommended copper NGKs, but apparently they don't last long.

so, instead, i picked up some Champion platinum (not iridium plugs.  they are quite expensive.    )
gapped to 0.032 inches.(perfectly gapped from straight out of package).

took about 30 minutes.

old spark plugs looked fine(btw, also NGKs with VW branded), but had some dried oil residue near where it plugs into coil pack. 

spark plugs, $18
gapping tool, $5
car starting right up, priceless.

BTW, everyone recommends NGK, and we used to use NGKs only when my father had the shop.  are Champion plugs not good?

Back in ye olden days, Champion used to be very good. Then somewhere along the way the company got purchased by a conglomerate, the usual MBA thinking kicked in and they cheapened out on the product, and their reputation suffered.

Perhaps there has been another change subsequent to that, I do not know.

[tpl]

Olden days is right!    I remember 4 champions for 1 pound changed every 10, 000 miles.

[aquadorhj]

drove around 70 km after the spark plug change.

not a change of drive characteristics.  still idles about the same.  a little less hesitation if at all.  may just be my imagination after changing it myself.
did an italian tune up after a thorough warm up.   

feels fine. 

[rrocket]

While Iridium plus seem expensive, they are more that worth the money, IMO.  Denso Iridiums are the top shelf.  Not only do they last as long a platinum, they are less prone to misfire, and melting in boost applications.

As an example in my Supra, Champions or NGK Coppers would last 1 month in the Supra before a misfire. Denso Iridiums lasted forever...at least until I sold my car.  These plugs are particularly good on boosted applications, but even in non-boosted, they show better performance.

I don't find $10-$12 a plug obscene for the reliability and performance of these plugs.

[Vanstar]

Denso Iridium plugs are the best in the business. When the plugs on my TL are due for replacement, this is what I will have them replaced with. The price is not high when one considers that plugs can easily last 100,000 km without any problems.

[tpl]

Denso Iridium plugs are the best in the business. When the plugs on my TL are due for replacement, this is what I will have them replaced with. The price is not high when one considers that plugs can easily last 100,000 km without any problems.

Is it not true that under US regulations on emission control equipment on new cars that the OEM plugs have to last 160,000 KMs now ?

[5 Wheel Drive]

Denso Iridium plugs are the best in the business. When the plugs on my TL are due for replacement, this is what I will have them replaced with. The price is not high when one considers that plugs can easily last 100,000 km without any problems.

Is it not true that under US regulations on emission control equipment on new cars that the OEM plugs have to last 160,000 KMs now ?

I guess not.  My '09 Forester (non-turbo) calls for the first plug replacement at 48,000 km's.

[Erik]

Champions are crap.  Years ago I had a 318 Grand Cheorkee...needed a tune up so I threw on new wires and Champion plugs...and it ran worse.  Took it to the shop thinking it was something else, they pulled the plugs and said I needed new ones. Huh!? Told them what I did and they are the one's who told me why..."you bought crap plugs".  NEVER buy Champion they said.  Enough to convince me never to buy them again.  Ever.

Funny, considering your Jeep came from the factory with Champions, and they were the recommended plug by Chrysler. Still are. They are what you would have gotten if you picked them up from the dealer parts counter.

No chance the shop was trying to sell you new plugs, huh?

[Seafoam]

Gee I thought it was the other way around. That a dodge would only work right with Champion's. Atleast that's what they said about my father's K car motors[2.2 and 2.5],also 3.3 intrepid motor.They all used champion's.

[jamie1]

It's a good 10 yrs ago...so that's probably why I bought Champions in the first place, but as I recall we replaced them with NGK's and it instantly ran better.  I guess the most important thing I remember from it was "don't ever buy Champion again", and I won't.

Do want to try some of those Denso's though...as the Eco Boost seems to have an intermittent miss (heard and felt), and it's only got 4000 km on it.  Maybe they'd perk it right up.  Have to go forum hunting, see if anyone else has the same issue.

I would say you most likely got a bad plug right out of the box. It happens and not just with Champion. As Erik said, your  Jeep came with Champions and for the most part Chryslers run best with Champions. Some Chryslers now use NGK.

[jamie1]

Denso Iridium plugs are the best in the business. When the plugs on my TL are due for replacement, this is what I will have them replaced with. The price is not high when one considers that plugs can easily last 100,000 km without any problems.

Is it not true that under US regulations on emission control equipment on new cars that the OEM plugs have to last 160,000 KMs now ?

I don't think so. The HEMI needs the plugs changed every 50K KMs. The Chrysler 4.7L has the intake side plugs  changed 50K KMs and the exhaust side plugs changed at 160K KMs.

[Vanstar]

Denso Iridium plugs are the best in the business. When the plugs on my TL are due for replacement, this is what I will have them replaced with. The price is not high when one considers that plugs can easily last 100,000 km without any problems.

Is it not true that under US regulations on emission control equipment on new cars that the OEM plugs have to last 160,000 KMs now ?

I will do the plugs when the timing belt is up for replacement at 100,000 km but I still have a ways to go. I also think that 160,000 is too long a replacement interval and can lead to check engine lights due  to intermittent misfires. But to each  his own.

[Gardiner Westbound]

I will do the plugs when the timing belt is up for replacement at 100,000 km but I still have a ways to go. I also think that 160,000 is too long a replacement interval and can lead to check engine lights due  to intermittent misfires. But to each  his own.

Some cars come with 160,000 kilometer platinum tipped spark plugs. Replacement is unnecessary unless they’re misfiring.

Spark plugs left in place too long can seize, a costly repair. Inspect the earliest of five years or 100,000 kilometers, set the gap, apply anti-seize compound to the threads and reinstall.

[safristi]

Don't know wot they put in "Millie" (2000Mazda Millennia)at the factory in Hiroshima but they were da BOMB. ...lasted 160,000Km............ain't that the PROMISE! these days..Champignons aren't they Frenchy mushrooms....

[ktm525]

Champions. I wouldn't put anything else in my lawn mower.