Spark Plugs for the Xant!

Ref · Post by **Ref** » 14 Nov 2010, 12:14

So it's time to change them, any recommendations for 1.8 8v?

handyman · Post by **handyman** » 14 Nov 2010, 12:55

Always NGK!

Be careful of the threads on these heads, as I have had to do rethreading on a few of these 8V units. The material does not seem to be too good, especially if the plugs have not been regularly changed. If they are tight to remove, chances are you will take out the thread as well.

However, they can be repaired in situ.

H

XantiaMan · Post by **XantiaMan** » 14 Nov 2010, 15:52

handyman wrote:Always NGK!

Be careful of the threads on these heads, as I have had to do rethreading on a few of these 8V units. The material does not seem to be too good, especially if the plugs have not been regularly changed. If they are tight to remove, chances are you will take out the thread as well.

However, they can be repaired in situ.

H

+1.

Ref · Post by **Ref** » 14 Nov 2010, 20:02

It's not tight to remove as i toke them off last week as it water dropped in when i was changing the coolant,will take your advice and go for NGK, thanks for the help!

Post by **CitroJim** » 14 Nov 2010, 20:22

I've used the ones with the strange name supplied by GSF with no issues... For a V6 especially, they're a very economical buy...

Personally, I've never quite got how one plug is necessarily better than another. If it is of the correct heat range then all it does is provide a gap to allow a spark to jump and ignite the fuel - job done. How precisely can say, an NGK, do a better job than the ones flogged by GSF at half the cost?

This is a serious question as I really don't get it.

To my mind, plugs don't seem to wear anything like as badly as they used to 30 or 30 years ago...

I tend to totally ignore plugs if the engine starts, runs fine and has low MOT emissions...

handyman wrote: Be careful of the threads on these heads

V6 heads too... I find it best to remove plugs when the head is still a little warm and to ease them back and forth - don't just try to screw them straight out. It's often a ring of carbon on the very bottom of the threads that make them tight. A bit of Plus Gas when they initially start to move can help as well...

XantiaMan · Post by **XantiaMan** » 14 Nov 2010, 20:32

I can get the NGK ones for less than the GSF ones, about £5 cheaper for the set. I've used them for years and never had a problem.

I didnt use them in my Mondeo though, OE Motorcraft plugs made by Autolite in the states.

Ref · Post by **Ref** » 14 Nov 2010, 20:50

XantiaMan wrote:I can get the NGK ones for less than the GSF ones, about £5 cheaper for the set. I've used them for years and never had a problem.

I didnt use them in my Mondeo though, OE Motorcraft plugs made by Autolite in the states.

what part number for the ones you use?

XantiaMan · Post by **XantiaMan** » 14 Nov 2010, 21:08

Ref wrote:
XantiaMan wrote:I can get the NGK ones for less than the GSF ones, about £5 cheaper for the set. I've used them for years and never had a problem.

I didnt use them in my Mondeo though, OE Motorcraft plugs made by Autolite in the states.
what part number for the ones you use?

For the Activa, i think it was BPR6E. Same for other petrols i think (8 valve)

Ref · Post by **Ref** » 14 Nov 2010, 21:16

thanks for the reply i will look for them, by the way have anyone tried the bosch super 4?

XantiaMan · Post by **XantiaMan** » 14 Nov 2010, 21:19

Ref wrote:thanks for the reply i will look for them, by the way have anyone tried the bosch super 4?

Yes and they are appalling, dont waste your money. Some cars did have multi electrode plugs but many just use high quality iridium now. My experience is they do not work well in an old tech engine.

VertVega · Post by **VertVega** » 14 Nov 2010, 21:20

I have never used NGK spark plugs and found this thread interesting.

Ref, NGK product selector offers these options for
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xantia 1.8:
Model Detail Engine Type / Additional Info Year Part No Stock No
XANTIA 1.8 LFZ (XU7JP/Z) / 8 VALVE 06/93 –> 05/95 BCPR6E 1269
XANTIA 1.8 LFZ (XU7JP/Z) / 8 VALVE 06/95 –> 09/99 BKR6EZ 4619
XANTIA 1.8 LFY (XU7JP4L3) / 16 VALVE 05/95 –> BKR6EZ 4619
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xantia 2.0:
Model Detail Engine Type / Additional Info Year Part No Stock No
XANTIA 2.0 RFX (XU10J2C/Z) / 8 VALVE 05/93 –> 05/95 BCPR6E 1269
XANTIA 2.0 RFX (XU10J2C/Z) / 8 VALVE 06/95 –> 09/99 BKR6EZ 4619
XANTIA 2.0 RFV (XU10J4R) / 16 VALVE 01/94 –> BKR6EZ 4619
XANTIA 2.0 RGX (XU10J2TE/Z) / TURBO/ACTIVA 02/96 –> BKR6EZ 4619
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Have you heard of Eyquem spark plugs. I have used them so far in my Xantia (200k + miles), happy customer

Post by **CitroJim** » 14 Nov 2010, 21:32

VertVega wrote: Have you heard of Eyquem spark plugs. I have used them so far in my Xantia (200k + miles), happy customer

They're the ones

The ones I referred to with the strange name earlier. As I said, I've found them fine..

Ref · Post by **Ref** » 14 Nov 2010, 21:34

@XantiaMan The electrode thing is confusing me really so there's no point to use them in my 94 xantia? the plugs came with the car are denso with 3 electrodes, and a mechanic adviced me to buy the 3 electrode plugs as well but he didn't mention a brand.

@VertVega i never seen Eyquem before but it's an option to consider,

XantiaMan · Post by **XantiaMan** » 14 Nov 2010, 21:41

Keep it simple, keep it single electrode... My point is your engine is not sophisticated, nor is its ignition system and fitting a plug it wasnt designed for will either give no benefit, or cause rough running and misfires at the worst.

VertVega · Post by **VertVega** » 14 Nov 2010, 21:41

I thought I was the only one

, thanks CitroJim

They were the spark plugs I had when I bought my car and since then always used Eyquem.
I'm not sure about it but they might be the factory installation brand.
Since last summer I have the Eyquem F54 (3+1 model) type spark plugs.