Bosch Spark Plugs

[robison]

Greg, I really have no argument about the wisdom of installing oem plugs.

I just feel compelled to stick up for Bosch because, as you point out, most of what you see of "Bosch plug problems" are really problems stemming from inexperienced or incompetent people who bought a bunch of parts at a mass marketer and threw them on the car.

And we don't service Ford or Lincoln/Mercury branded vehicles but we do provide service for Ford's Jaguar, Land Rover, and Aston Martin vehicles covered by factory backed certified warranty. And we use oem plugs on them.

 

[JerryG]

In all fairness, I need to say something else about my previous post. I have tried many different brands of plugs, but haven't tried Bosch in the Fords. There is a very good chance that I will try them at the next change. I would like to see how they perform compared to the Motorcrafts.

 

[Soundguy]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( That is the exact same thing that I have said for several years now. I have tried just about every brand of plug at one time or another and the only thing that I can get to last very long and do a good job in the Fords that I have owned are Motorcraft plugs )</font>

Funny that you guys mention this. over on the ford bords I haunt, the running consensus is that autolite 437 plugs are the ones to use in the 4 cyl gas fords. That crosses to a champion h12. Overwhelmingly, at least 3:1 we get complaints that the h12 fouls out way to easilly. whereas the 437's just perform better. A few use the NGK.. guess they must work ok.. don't here many complaints about them. Do hear complaints about the h10 which was an oem # for the 4cyl engines as well as the al number that crosses to ( forget at the moment).. those plugs are a range colder than the h12/437... and don't seem to do as good on the unleaded fuel.. etc.. fouling.. etc.

Soundguy

 

[deerefan]

So what I am gathering here, basically, is the off brand plugs will work but for best fit and quality, go with motorcraft?

 

[Highbeam]

Ugh, yes, the OEM plug bought from the dealer after he correctly identifies the plug needed for your truck will always be the right plug. A different brand of plug will also work if it is equivalent. If some kid from autozone gives you the wrong plug or the aftermarket manufacturer makes a universal type plug that they think fits your truck then performance may be lesser than the OEM. That is a gamble.

"Ford (typicly) responds better to the ignition components that it was designed with"

This is a little bit much like propoganda from a dealer to scare people into buying from them. If the aftermarket components meet or exceed the Ford design then it won't matter, it is when corners are cut and attempts at one-size-fits-all are made that the components aren't as good as OEM. It is tough to tell though and you are always guaranteed of design compliance with the OEM component.

Why not use the OEM part? To save money? A perceived performance improvement? A bad OEM design is about the only time that I have ever seen an aftermaket piece improve the performance of electrical parts. I know that I will never use the OEM ACdelco plugs in my truck so I have to search for a substitute, the Bosch plugs have been a fine substitute.

Dexcool coolant is another bad OEM design, the tires that came with your truck are likely lousy and in need of aftermarket improvement. So are the shocks. You could buy motorcraft branded brake fluid but you probably don't because some things don't need to be OEM. GM even makes a glass cleaner to take advantage of this OEM is best marketing ploy.

 

[TractorLegend]

Yes there are certainly some oe parts that can be improved upon as you say, but with the plugs and wires on Fords I like oe---I have found some differences in lenghts which can cause issue especially on coil on plug set ups. We don't normally buy Motorcraft from the dealer. We use a wholesale warehouse---so I feel a little better not supporting those local dealerships that, in my opinion, hose the public during the car sale.
If you call AutoZone they cant even tell you which plug was o.e.-platinum, standard or whatever. They just list off what physically fits. Toyota uses a Denso dual electrode plug on some of their fours and v-6 engines, I had trouble deviating there too. Subarus radiator hoses seem to fit right compared to Napa/ Gates/ Goodyears "cut-and-bend-to-almost-fit" variety.
But yes, glass cleaner, coolant, etc are generic.
I too detest dexCool but unless you are starting with a new motor and do a thorough flush of the heater etc, you will get a bad cross contamination issue which will be worse than continuing DexCool.

 

[Volfandt]

My 98 F150 has 116K on it and I'm only on my 2nd set of plugs. I replaced the OEM's at 90K because I thought 100K on a set of plugs is just too much. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I've never had a missfire or code generated that was the result of a missfire or plug failure. I run OEM Motorcraft plugs and have in all the Fords I've owned. Also ran them in my 1967 Mercury Cyclone GT w/a 310hp 390. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Back in the day, I used to work on aviation GSE equipment and one model of tow tractor(s) we operated/maintained was powered by a Ford 2bbl 302 and modified C4 tranny. The USMC/Navair specs called for Motorcraft replacement parts and as varied as the environments were as well as the abuse these machines endured to just keep on working, I've followed suit staying w/OEM parts since. Exceptions being tires, brake pads, fuel,air & oil filters, and the alternator I had to replace around 10k miles ago. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Volfandt