Rank heresy, but F5DPOR....ABY (long).

[jameswkr]

Some of you may be following the threads on other turbo car forums (including audis)regarding the use of copper rather than platinum plugs. I will not go into all the arguments here, but I have been very interested in testing "old fashioned" plugs for some time...Last week I sourced two packs of NGK BKR6-E and having proved that the extended nose was not going to come into contact wth piston/valves installed them. These plugs are an alternative fitment for the 7A engine, but are being used in I5s and 1.8T/ 2.7Ts elsewhere - some of them high output motors. Plug gap left @ 0.8mm as supplied. The extracted F5DPORs have evidence of detonation ( minute metallic particles on insulator and centre electrode ). I think this may be due to a clogged fuel filter ( recently changed ) as my fuel economy has worsened slightly ( cold weather not helping either ).

Anyway, with much trepidation I started the engine. No unusual noises, so off for a test drive. I have now run them for three days of mixed usage journeys including motorway and start/stop traffic. I am very impressed - smoother tickover, better pull from low speeds and very free revving. Will pull next week end to check their condition. If we have to keep checking plug tightness anyway, might as well put a new (cheaper) set in whilst the coil pack cover is off. ( Copper will not last anywhere near as long as platinums so I intend to replace with oil/filter at 5K intervals). YMMV - my experience (so far) bears out what I have read elsewhere.........................

[S2central.net]

Keep us posted on this James - thanks for taking the plunge. There was once some talk about traditional copper plugs having better knock resilience than platinums. Sure the life expectancy on Copper is a lot lower, but given the price and the ease by which plugs can be renewed. I'm probably down to 2k miles per year on my S2 so its not like I need longlife plugs !


Paul

[Dave cook]

I'm using these F6-DTC Tri plugs with no problems, better idle , The engine seems to rev alot smoother

[Fat Audi 80]

What are the standard plugs please?

Cheers.

Steve

[jameswkr]

F5DPOR ( Bosch)......

[dan_b]

I'd be interested to hear what Mihnea has to say about the various merits of different spark plugs and their effect on engine tuning, seeing as he's at the sharp end of the ECU...

[Chris M]

I'm using the bosch S2 plugs in my 1.8T Golf with no probs

[Billman]

what are these F6-DTC Tri plugs ?? No copper or am i wrong?

[Dave cook]

what are these F6-DTC Tri plugs ?? No copper or am i wrong?

Yeah these are copper

[charlie]

I tried a few different plugs from Audi Parts including NGK, their own boxes stuff
from S4, TT, RS4, S8
They all seem fine but the real difference is when u start Putting your foot down
and on high boost and high fueling. Their is also the risk of damaging your cylinder
head thread. I noticed alot of them came loose.
i went back to OEM bosch and no problem since.
PS: i don't think OEM platinum last as long as recommended considering all the heat
and carbon they deal with. i replace mine every service (2k) and tighten to 25nm.
has anyone measured the spark plug Impedance so that we can compare.

[Dave cook]

if you torque them to 30nm they shouldn't come loose?

[Billman]

The people who had problems with the plugs hab OEM or others??

@Dave Cook
These plugs are a range hotter than the OEM aren't they?? Are they the same that 034Efi sells?

[jameswkr]

Standard plugs come loose even if torqued correctly/clean/dry threads etc.

Yes these are 034efi recommendation. I could not find a local source for them. GSF have a replacement but I opted to go NGK....

[charlie]

if you torque them to 30nm they shouldn't come loose?

I know that is what it says in the Audi Bible it states
but if you look at the bottom of the bosch packaging
it states 25nm.

[Doug_RS2]

Never had a problem with stock plugs running bad or coming loose when torqued to 28Nm when new or 30Nm if re-torquing.