Bosch Iridium plugs
Bosch Iridium plugs
Ok.... I got a set of Bosch Iridium plugs last week (due to a giveaway trial posted here) while I was away on a trip.
I installed them today, for what it's worth. I have .... in the past.... had issues with Bosch plugs in my Fords but I thought I would give these a chance.
I know Bosch would like perfect reviews, but I would rather be honest and forthcoming for our members.
The plugs (9608's) came pre-gapped at .045 when our 5.4's require .052 - .056. When attempting to gap to specs, the small electrode tip of the first 3 plugs broke of. So I got wise to this and took extra care when gapping.
My truck seems to run fine so far (in the driveway) without a seeming misfire. The drive to work tomorrow will tell more of the story and so I will post back my opinions or heartaches.
David
I installed them today, for what it's worth. I have .... in the past.... had issues with Bosch plugs in my Fords but I thought I would give these a chance.
I know Bosch would like perfect reviews, but I would rather be honest and forthcoming for our members.
The plugs (9608's) came pre-gapped at .045 when our 5.4's require .052 - .056. When attempting to gap to specs, the small electrode tip of the first 3 plugs broke of. So I got wise to this and took extra care when gapping.
My truck seems to run fine so far (in the driveway) without a seeming misfire. The drive to work tomorrow will tell more of the story and so I will post back my opinions or heartaches.
David
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
From: joplin, mo
I tried iridiums in a 97 4.6 and can say I didn't think the best of them. They were costly, didn't perform any better as far as feeling any difference or mpg wise. When I changed them out I went back to good ol motorcraft. I can't blame you for trying them, they were free. In the end I think you'll see that there isn't any extra value in them.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,522
Likes: 6
From: Utah
I dont think there is enough collective experience with the Iridium Bosch plug to say one way or the other. I can say my own experience with Denso iridium plugs has been good. The only thing I've ever done to my truck that improved fuel economy and I've done allot of stuff. but we are talking about Bosch, they have had a real hard time making a decent standard plug for the mod motor..
Well so far guys, I would say my truck idles just a little smoother and acceleration is right on. Alot better than my previous experience in a Ranger 2.9 I had some time ago.
Although, since it is common practice to make sure plugs are gapped to spec, I feel that if plugs that are gapped significantly less are suppose to be that way... there should be a "do not re-gap" statement on the product package.
I am going to reset them to the original .045 tomorrow and see what gives then
Although, since it is common practice to make sure plugs are gapped to spec, I feel that if plugs that are gapped significantly less are suppose to be that way... there should be a "do not re-gap" statement on the product package.
I am going to reset them to the original .045 tomorrow and see what gives then
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 25,641
Likes: 19
From: MI
Might want remove those , - I would. - Specially if you gaped them. Bosch has been the #1 worst plug for all modular motors. Why ? Because they break inside the cylinders, - Bosch has yet to grasp the modular motors heat range. Instead they focus upon making plugs that can be cross referenced with many other engines.
They don't care, - problem has been around since 97, atleast.
Notice how easily they break ? Well the over heat inside the plug chambers and just fall apart. That was the older issue before irdiums.
That said and after reading your post, - they sent you a set of iridium plugs that may of may not been gaped properly. (?) There should be no question w/irdiums and they will say everything right on the box, - so there's no guess work. Shoot, Denso give you instructions about how to torque them down without a torque wrench lol.
I would mess around with plugs, specially those. An engine is a rather large expense..- Well, - guess where those pieces go when one of them falls apart inside the engine ? -
Yea, -upstairs, - then down ... Maybe lol.
___________________________________
Jethat, - I'm still running my Denso's as well. I installed those back in 07 lol. Still 16 mpg, but runs very well on them. 16 mpg consistent. Not the greatest I know,- good for this old truck.
They don't care, - problem has been around since 97, atleast.
Notice how easily they break ? Well the over heat inside the plug chambers and just fall apart. That was the older issue before irdiums.
That said and after reading your post, - they sent you a set of iridium plugs that may of may not been gaped properly. (?) There should be no question w/irdiums and they will say everything right on the box, - so there's no guess work. Shoot, Denso give you instructions about how to torque them down without a torque wrench lol.
I would mess around with plugs, specially those. An engine is a rather large expense..- Well, - guess where those pieces go when one of them falls apart inside the engine ? -
Yea, -upstairs, - then down ... Maybe lol.
___________________________________
Jethat, - I'm still running my Denso's as well. I installed those back in 07 lol. Still 16 mpg, but runs very well on them. 16 mpg consistent. Not the greatest I know,- good for this old truck.
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Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 25,641
Likes: 19
From: MI
Yea, I think it's user "torkum" that has pics of a 5four engine he had Bosch Plugs in for awhile. The plug over heated, fell apart in the cylinder. From there, it went into the valve train, bust the the top off the valve.
That happens, junk the motor and find a new one with low miles.. I can do that cheaper than it would cost from the head gaskets up.
Thing is, you don't know wher every piece went. Might have got in the main...
Not worth all the head aches those plugs can and have costed members in the past.
I hope it doesn't happen to you red. Keep in mind that they are already weak since you had to gap which is cheap and reticules IMO. Sorry, that's bad lol
Scary more so. I'd pull them.
How easy do they break gaping them ?
That happens, junk the motor and find a new one with low miles.. I can do that cheaper than it would cost from the head gaskets up.
Thing is, you don't know wher every piece went. Might have got in the main...
Not worth all the head aches those plugs can and have costed members in the past.
I hope it doesn't happen to you red. Keep in mind that they are already weak since you had to gap which is cheap and reticules IMO. Sorry, that's bad lol
Scary more so. I'd pull them.
How easy do they break gaping them ?