Let's Talk Spark Plugs!

[gblowfish]

Doing a tune up on a 2002 Jeep with the 4.0 liter straight six engine. Not much to do in a tuneup these days but change the plugs and plug wires (if they need it.)

What plugs to you guys like?

Somebody recommended Autolite Iridium XP-985, which cost about $6 a plug. Iridium is rated up to about 100,000 miles, but they burn hot.

The standard copper plugs, recommend the NGK with a "V" notch, cost around $3 ea and have an estimated life of 50,000 miles.

Any thoughts as to what the best plug for an old Jeep like this is?

[Molitoth]

Many cars are different. Typically now days there is an active forum for any car brand/model that will have many people giving advice on what the best plug to use is.

Sometimes the OEM plugs are the only thing that works (My Porsche Cayenne Turbo), while other times the OEM plug is overpriced crap and the $3 copper plug works much better (my old Saab 9-3 Aero).


Go visit the Jeep forums and do a quick search and you will get better advice than from CP in this case.

[Dayze]

speaking of; I was just thinking about this very thing on my Rabbit. 50K miles; bought it used with 41k. So, no idea if they were changed prior.

[gblowfish]

The forums I read said to stay with the basic copper plugs. The Jeep 4.0 engine is a very simple engine, and don't benefit from the fancier, more expensive plugs. If anything, if your engine burns a little oil (mile leaks some and burns a little) the platinum or iridium plugs might foul easier.

I think I'll just go with the standard copper NGK plugs.

[Molitoth]

Originally Posted by gblowfish

The forums I read said to stay with the basic copper plugs. The Jeep 4.0 engine is a very simple engine, and don't benefit from the fancier, more expensive plugs. If anything, if your engine burns a little oil (mile leaks some and burns a little) the platinum or iridium plugs might foul easier.

I think I'll just go with the standard copper NGK plugs.

That's probably the best bet. If you are wrong, you only spent $3 a plug. =)

From what I've seen though, the NGK coppers are typically the best for most models.

When you drive your jeep around town do you wave at every single other jeep driver like you're in a club?

[gblowfish]

Originally Posted by Phobia

When you drive your jeep around town do you wave at every single other jeep driver like you're in a club?

No, but you see a LOT of old Jeeps still on the road. The older boxy style Jeep Cherokees, and a lot of the 4.0 Laredo Grand Cherokees like I have. That straight six engine is a beast.

There's the one chick that flys by me a couple times a week on I-35 headed back towards downtown at night. She drives a red CJ with a Notre Dame tire cover. She must do 80 or 85 weaving through traffic every time. She must get off of work same time I do. Maniac driver... I stay out of the way.

[Bugeater]

Get rid of it. Neither you or anyone else bothered to tell me the damn things are deathtraps before I bought mine.

http://jalopnik.com/isnt-this-just-t...e-tr-511499596

[Radar Chief]

NGK makes good plugs, they're what I've always used in my motorcycles.
For my Jeep engine I use plain ole Autolite copper cheapies since rebuilt and it has never skipped a beat from idle to >7000 RPMs. But I also change my plugs often, it helps me keep track of how the engine is burning and it just runs a little crisper with a bit more pep on fresh plugs.

[gblowfish]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Get rid of it. Neither you or anyone else bothered to tell me the damn things are deathtraps before I bought mine.

http://jalopnik.com/isnt-this-just-t...e-tr-511499596

Yeah, I know about this. Last week Chrysler said they were going to give every affected Jeep owner a free trailer hitch. That's supposed to protect the gas tank in a rear end collision. I really don't care, I don't tow anything, but it would make the Jeep more flexible -being able to tow a trailer. They just agreed to the recall last week.

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by gblowfish

Yeah, I know about this. Last week Chrysler said they were going to give every affected Jeep owner a free trailer hitch. That's supposed to protect the gas tank in a rear end collision. I really don't care, I don't tow anything, but it would make the Jeep more flexible -being able to tow a trailer. They just agreed to the recall last week.

Ah, I hadn't heard any follow-up to it. Mine has a factory hitch on it, I don't see how it will protect the gas tank but I am 0% concerned about it anyway.

[gblowfish]

I called and talked to the Jeep Service Dude at Landmark Dodge. He basically said the same thing. He said he didn't see how a trailer hitch was going to help in a serious rear end collision, but if Chrysler wants to give a free trailer hitch to every Jeep owner in the USA, so be it.

[gblowfish]

Originally Posted by Radar Chief

NGK makes good plugs, they're what I've always used in my motorcycles.

There's a NAPA store about a block from where I work. Bought the NGKs. They were on sale, and I had a 20% off rebate coupon, ended up paying about $2 a plug. Score!

[KCSPORTSNUT]

either champion or ngk as they are the same company now but the jeeps always do better with champion

[El Jefe]

Originally Posted by Radar Chief

NGK makes good plugs, they're what I've always used in my motorcycles.
For my Jeep engine I use plain ole Autolite copper cheapies since rebuilt and it has never skipped a beat from idle to >7000 RPMs. But I also change my plugs often, it helps me keep track of how the engine is burning and it just runs a little crisper with a bit more pep on fresh plugs.

Could be, because I have had nothing but trouble with Autolites, those things are terrible IMO.

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by El Jefe

[/B]


Could be, because I have had nothing but trouble with Autolites, those things are terrible IMO.

Exactly this
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