New plugs
New plugs
So last week I threw a random misfire code on my Ultra-Gauge.
I had already had a slight rough idle that only I could feel (my wife thought I was nuts)
Finally threw the code, bought new plugs Thursday and installed them today and then went for a short drive to burn out the carb cleaner from cleaning the t-body and oil separator and PCV hose.
She runs SOOOO much better, idle is smooth as silk and throttle response is way better.
I had NGK V-Power in it from last time, this time I went with NGK Platinum.
They were $3 each and have the .04mm tip just like on a iridium spark plug.
I will know by Friday if my MPG improves or not.
I had already had a slight rough idle that only I could feel (my wife thought I was nuts)
Finally threw the code, bought new plugs Thursday and installed them today and then went for a short drive to burn out the carb cleaner from cleaning the t-body and oil separator and PCV hose.
She runs SOOOO much better, idle is smooth as silk and throttle response is way better.
I had NGK V-Power in it from last time, this time I went with NGK Platinum.
They were $3 each and have the .04mm tip just like on a iridium spark plug.
I will know by Friday if my MPG improves or not.
Yes it does, and I also use a MPG app on my iPhone4 and the UG is surprisingly accurate on the MPG.
Over the ~4500 miles with my UG it says currently 12.23MPG average.
My app says 12.5mpg over the 1365 miles I've driven since I started using it.
Grated it is winter time and I let my truck warm up in the morning and after work before driving.
Over the ~4500 miles with my UG it says currently 12.23MPG average.
My app says 12.5mpg over the 1365 miles I've driven since I started using it.
Grated it is winter time and I let my truck warm up in the morning and after work before driving.
It is pretty easy to take down and hide if you wanted to.
The window mount is just a universal cell phone mount, you can buy it at Wal-Mart (the mount) for $20 and it just clips to the mount like a cell phone.
They say not to leave the UG in the hot summer sun because it may ruin it and it will void the warranty, so it is easy to take down.
The window mount is just a universal cell phone mount, you can buy it at Wal-Mart (the mount) for $20 and it just clips to the mount like a cell phone.
They say not to leave the UG in the hot summer sun because it may ruin it and it will void the warranty, so it is easy to take down.
Camel Trophy
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,245
Likes: 402
From: Traverse City MI
Thread hijacking in progress........
XCELLER8, what did your cracked exhaust manifold sound like? Sound like one of the rockers was doing an Irish jig with tap shoes? I know what failed exhaust gaskets sound like and it's close but even higher pitch, like a stuffed lifter. This is only when motors cold and under load, it's almost inaudible when fully warmed up under load. I've had all the other unique LR sounds. Bought a neglected truck four years ago, still gets neglected....until I'M ready! I've looked the manifold over but nothing obvious staring back at me.
Spike, I just replaced mine this week and went with the standard NGK's (Champion equivalent) since NAPA didn't have standard Champs in stock???? Every plug they offered was platinum which I'm not really sold on for a wasted spark system. The champs I removed are all very light tan with over 30k on em and the gap at .038 on every one which is awesome since I set it at .035 the last time I checked them last summer. A buddy of mine on another forum went the Champion platinum route and said his idle had smoothed out as well so maybe next time I'll give em a try.
XCELLER8, what did your cracked exhaust manifold sound like? Sound like one of the rockers was doing an Irish jig with tap shoes? I know what failed exhaust gaskets sound like and it's close but even higher pitch, like a stuffed lifter. This is only when motors cold and under load, it's almost inaudible when fully warmed up under load. I've had all the other unique LR sounds. Bought a neglected truck four years ago, still gets neglected....until I'M ready! I've looked the manifold over but nothing obvious staring back at me.
Spike, I just replaced mine this week and went with the standard NGK's (Champion equivalent) since NAPA didn't have standard Champs in stock???? Every plug they offered was platinum which I'm not really sold on for a wasted spark system. The champs I removed are all very light tan with over 30k on em and the gap at .038 on every one which is awesome since I set it at .035 the last time I checked them last summer. A buddy of mine on another forum went the Champion platinum route and said his idle had smoothed out as well so maybe next time I'll give em a try.
I have that same exhaust leak noise after a hot start, there is a crack in my exhaust manifold but it swells shut once warm and only does it after a hot start, like running into Peters Imports to build a 6-pack of beer and then start it back up to go home.
Starting it cold it has the exhaust leak but no bad lifter sound, runs smooth and strong no matter the noise so I know it is not a bad lifter.
I went with the platinum because of the price, only $.50 more per plug.
I am not sold on the platinum either, but it has the .04mm tip which does improve combustion and what not.
And it is not a true platinum plug, it is a alloy.
Had I re-adjusted my old plug's gap I'm sure the idle would have smoothed back out, but plugs are cheap and since they were already out...my new plugs were gapped at .38 from the factory so thats where I left them.
I did not check the old ones but they are in the garage and now I am curious.
Starting it cold it has the exhaust leak but no bad lifter sound, runs smooth and strong no matter the noise so I know it is not a bad lifter.
I went with the platinum because of the price, only $.50 more per plug.
I am not sold on the platinum either, but it has the .04mm tip which does improve combustion and what not.
And it is not a true platinum plug, it is a alloy.
Had I re-adjusted my old plug's gap I'm sure the idle would have smoothed back out, but plugs are cheap and since they were already out...my new plugs were gapped at .38 from the factory so thats where I left them.
I did not check the old ones but they are in the garage and now I am curious.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 16,322
Likes: 88
From: Savannah Georgia
Re: 12.23MPG
Well now I don't feel so bad on my 15 mpg while running a 160 thermostat... will also up-switch to those plugs, had something like that in my old Montero Sport , new to 295K on same plugs, PITA to change them, never had to.
Well now I don't feel so bad on my 15 mpg while running a 160 thermostat... will also up-switch to those plugs, had something like that in my old Montero Sport , new to 295K on same plugs, PITA to change them, never had to.
But you need to remember Buzz, I have a SD roof rack and ARB winch bumper and 20 min of warm up time everyday.
Plus lots of ethanol in the fuel (winter blend), my MPG will go back up to ~15 once warm weather is back.
The extra ethanol prevents gasline freezing.
And it is actually 12.5mpg, I trust the app over the UG because the app is "enter miles and gals" and it gives you your MPG.
Plus lots of ethanol in the fuel (winter blend), my MPG will go back up to ~15 once warm weather is back.
The extra ethanol prevents gasline freezing.
And it is actually 12.5mpg, I trust the app over the UG because the app is "enter miles and gals" and it gives you your MPG.
