NGK Iridiums IX - Anyone with bad experiences??

[purplesignal]

I have a 1993 Infiniti J30. It runs great thanks to help from nico members. I am thinking of doing what everyone recommends against...which is installing spark plugs that are NOT NGK Laser Platinums. I really want to try the NGK Iridium IX's... So, has anyone had bad experiences with the Iridium IX's??

[maxnix]

Sure, go ahead and be a guinea pig!

Of course the Nissan engineers specified the laser platinums in their design of the VG30DE, but what do they know? I mean, the car really runs poorly on them, right?

[bullittandy]

Sure, go ahead and be a guinea pig!

Of course the Nissan engineers specified the laser platinums in their design of the VG30DE, but what do they know? I mean, the car really runs poorly on them, right?

This is a worthless post.

[Fenvy]

yeah I don't get what he's trying to say

[Defiant]

I believe the translation would be along the lines of, "The factory specifies Laser Platinums for the engine, but if you think Iridiums may be better, by all means do go and try them and let us know. We're skeert and are going to do what dad tells us without deviation."I.E., apparently no one here has seen any need to try a non-spec plug. I'm betting it won't really matter. Iridiums are meant for motors such as GM has such an odd fetish for, where engine removal is required for spark plug changes.

Just don't try to use other than NGK on a Dats... er, Nissan.

[3Q Jay]

i have had the double iridiums (NOT the IX's) in for over a year on the 94.no issues.

why did i try iridiums? i don't expect to drive these plugs beyond 60000 miles, so that wasn't it, even though the iridium should experience less wear vs. platinum. you might note that the voltage required for the iridium for the same gap is less than for the platinums. couldn't find a downside--although i'm sure someone will flame me.

IFR-5E11.

[purplesignal]

Hmm...so could it be that...I know this is a stretch...ngk iridiums are just as good as platinums...??

[greenwar]

I have NGK iridiums (Not sure if they were IX though) in my 93 J30. However, I put on less than 300 miles on my car after I installed those, so I can't really give you any info on long terms effect of using those plugs.
Modified by greenwar at 11:13 PM 9/28/2006

[96Qowner]

greenwar - Off Topic:

Romeo is looking for a quick carfax on the Q45 forum, if you can still run 'em.

[Fenvy]

a lot of the sr guys run these plug, myself included

[Defiant]

Hmm...so could it be that...I know this is a stretch...ngk iridiums are just as good as platinums...??

They should actually be "better", as their primary design goal is extremely long-life. Whether the motor will like them any better, and demonstrate such by better mileage/power/efficiency/speed/smoothness, will be a terribly subjective call. After all, look how much better it runs and even how much better the stereo sounds after you've put a good layer of wax on the paint. However, in that there isn't a huge whispered secret that iridiums are the hot tip (as it were) for stellar improvement, either the secret is well-kept or it's only another bit of myth-information.

[Jesda]

There's tons and tons of examples on this forum over the years of what happens when you dont use the exact plug specified for your high-end Nissan.

Electrodes fall off. This is BAD.

[greenwar]

Quick update, my J30 started idling/running rough. As some of the guys mentioning here, it could possibly be because of the engine not liking the iridium tipped plugs. I am yet to diagnose whats wrong but it may well be a bad plug.

So stick to OEM plugs - they are cheaper than iridium tipped ones.

I posted on another thread (not a new thread) but just out of my stupid curiosity I will post it here as well.

1) How is it possible to diagnose a bad ignition coil?2) Does bad fuel injector bring a CEL?

Apologies for posting these questions twice.

Answer to 96Owner: man carfax banned my account (for offering carfax here) and does not let me sign up for any more unlimited subscriptions. This is very bad for me as I change cars often. Moral of the story, there is nothing called free carfax. Apologies..

[Fenvy]

did you have the right gap range? iridium can't be gapped so you have to buy the right ones, you know I once bought the wrong ones and tried to gap them.... bad result

[greenwar]

Actually no I did not gap them. Guys at Autozone told me it should already be gapped. I am hoping the cap didn't break off and fall inside the cylinder.

[Q45tech]

Never trust pregapped plugs alway take the time to check especially from discounters.

The reason 60k is specified is to avoid the the plug galling in the head not that Platniums won't last 100k.........................the wider the gap the more stress on the coil insulation so it's all about balancing plug cost and labor cost and the potential for expensive errors.

On the Q the valve covers leak at 60-80k so changing plugs [to get them out of the dirty leaked oil is always a good thing.

[greenwar]

Never trust pregapped plugs alway take the time to check especially from discounters.

The reason 60k is specified is to avoid the the plug galling in the head not that Platniums won't last 100k.........................the wider the gap the more stress on the coil insulation so it's all about balancing plug cost and labor cost and the potential for expensive errors.

On the Q the valve covers leak at 60-80k so changing plugs [to get them out of the dirty leaked oil is always a good thing.

Q45Tech, is there a way to diagnose a coil pack? Please post some tips if you will.

[maxnix]

If they are interchangeable with another location, you can do one at a time and monitor.

[Defiant]

Actually no I did not gap them. Guys at Autozone told me

Oh, no. Don't ever listen to anything one of those guys says about cars. If they tell you a car uses four wheels and tires, re-count them yourself.Quote » it should already be gapped.[/quote]Pre-gapped plugs are checked at the factory by green winged monkeys. When was the last [sober] time you saw a green winged monkey? Bingo. Spark plugs must always be gapped, and try to use a wire feeler instead of one of those giveaway ramp-coin pieces of junk.Quote » I am hoping the cap didn't break off and fall inside the cylinder. [/quote]It didn't.

[greenwar]

Hey guys, thanks for the kind words of help. I am buying a set of coils and injectors from a parted J30 to keep in stock as temp replacement part. That should possibly help me use maxnix's advice to find out if a coil pack is bad.

I will post an update.

[infinitidreams20]

Hey guys, thanks for the kind words of help. I am buying a set of coils and injectors from a parted J30 to keep in stock as temp replacement part. That should possibly help me use maxnix's advice to find out if a coil pack is bad.

I will post an update.

you can always just unplug the coil while the car is running one at a time and if it runs worse when you unplug it it is working if there isnt any change when you unplug or a slightly little change compaired to the others then you have found your problem child

[C-Kwik]

Iridium plugs are used to extend life of a thinwire electrode. Thin electrodes of a given material will wear faster than a wider one as there is less material. Thin electrodes are beneficial from a performance standpoint though. They allow a spark to occur with less voltage and reduce quenching (larger electrodes can momentarily absorb more heat from the flame propagation and cause the flame to blow-out). Iridiums were not used before due to the expensive process of welding them to the electrodes. They have since developed the technology to do this inexpensively and price points are similar to platinum. The only problem is double iridium plugs are not widely available yet as OE's are just starting to use these in cars. Most are single platinums which will work fine for cars with distributors, but cars with coil packs have 2 sparks and need iridium on both electrodes.

However I bought a set for the Maxima recently as they didn't have any platinums in stock and they work great.