vs
Spark plug Autolite or BRISK
So here is my experience with gaps on this engine. The wife 09 Passat was misfiring so I decide to replace the plugs. I buy Autolite double platinums which were gapped huge. Turns out the 0.032 gap was not correct after all and it should have been 0.028. Big difference, this baby flies again (GIAC tune).
Pros: baby flies again
Cons: misfiring, gapped huge
Vehicle:
Volkswagen Passat
I changed the spark plugs to Autolite Double Plat plugs from Autozone. The smoke cleared up and it is MUCH easier to keep cranked in the cold (30's F) in the morning. It still has a very light stumble every few cycles and a louder engine idle than I'd like, but runs good and seems to be much better.
Pros: smoke cleared, easier cold crank, runs good
Cons: light stumble, louder idle
Vehicle:
Volkswagen Passat B6
I installed a set of Autolite 3923's gapped to .032 and guess what? FIXED! unbelievable, after all this testing only to find out that all I needed was new plugs.
Pros: problem fixed, unbelievable result
Vehicle:
Volkswagen
Mileage: 172199 km
Part number: 3923
So, I went ahead with the Autolite XP iridium plugs. Right now, I cannot complain. Everything is running pretty good. I put these in to compare to the standard Autolite copper plugs that I put in my 2001 2.0L AEG in January of 2009. Here is what has happened so far. 1. Since the new plugs, my idle rpm increased about 50-100 rpm to low 800s to mid 800s . Whether this is good or bad, I don't know. This may consume a small bit more of gas though while sitting at a stop light. 2. Since the new plugs, I can also feel a small vibration that seems to come from the engine bay. This only happens on a cold start as I am accelerating from around 15-40 mph. When it's warmed up, it's gone while accelerating. This may come my new catalytic converter and flex pipe that I just got installed, but I don't know. It may also come from new front rotors and pads that I just put in that haven't had time to properly be bedded, I don't know. I am putting some new dog bone mount inserts in within the next few days as well. 3. Since the new plugs, my engine seems to have had a small performance increase in acceleration, response, and in smoothness; except in cold start accelerations as stated above. This may not make a big deal to some, but I am happy with this. 4. Since the new plugs, the best deal I have had is the lower rpms when I am using cruise control around 40-55 mph. I am serious when I tell you that my rpms went down a good 150-250 rpms at these cruising speeds. I do believe that because of these plugs, I will get a small boost in mpg; I will let you all know shortly. Also note that only the plugs and nothing else was changed at this interval. Can I tell you what happens at 65 mph+, no because I don't go on a highway to school or work. So, my overall impression with the iridium plugs is a positive one so far. I have gone just over 500 miles since the new plugs were put in.
Pros: improved acceleration, smoother engine, lower cruising RPMs, potential MPG boost
Cons: increased idle RPM, cold start vibration
Vehicle:
Volkswagen Jetta
Mileage: 805 km
Good old standard Autolite Coppers work just as well as anything on the market, as long as you replace them every few thousand miles. At $.99 a piece, you can't beat 'em.
Pros: good performance, excellent value
Cons: short lifespan
I bought some Autolite Platinums and now I find out they are crap Anyway, I needed something fast. Replaced them earlier this afternoon after work and so far so good. Acceleration is ALOT smoother.
Pros: acceleration is smoother
Cons: they are crap
Autolite made the only plug I've ever had that was dead when brand new.
Cons: dead when brand new
I did the plug change for the first time on my Tig. Pretty easy and took maybe 30 minutes. tricky part was getting the wire harness/clips to release from coil packs. Just be patient and use a small screwdriver. FWiW, I used Autolite Iridium plugs cuz my local NAPA dealer was out of the NGK's and recommended these. The quality was really bad on my set.. The cathode (curved portion of the plug) was significantly off axis, misaligned. One plug was bad enough that I returned it for an exchange. These plugs get high reviews on Amazon, so I kept them in without any problem but will be going back to the OEM NGK's next time. My old plugs looked very good for 45K miles.
Pros: easy plug change
Cons: bad quality, misaligned cathode
Vehicle:
Volkswagen Tiguan
Mileage: 72420 km
I didn't know any better and used ****ty autolite spark plugs, and everything was fine and the misfires went away... A few days ago I noticed on quick acceleration and around 4-5k RPM's, the engine loses power, accelerates slower than...well, slower than a 2.0 normally is.
Cons: engine loses power, accelerates slower
Vehicle:
Volkswagen Golf
The autolite is a cheap plug, not what is recommended to be used.
Cons: cheap plug, not recommended
Vehicle:
Volkswagen
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