Platinum +4 wtf????
Overlanding
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Welcome to the forum I see you found your way over from LRO. You sound like an advertisement btw, same with the dexcool nonsense. Platinum, copper, iridium, whatever the wallet can afford in this engine. You talk about this engine like it is a modern marvel but it has been around long before platinum plugs were a twinkle in an engineer's eye. The only reason to use anything besides copper plugs is for longer intervals between changes. People use plus 4's and it makes them feel better, I use NKG iridiums because it gives me a warm fuzzy, they don't give any performance improvements over coppers though they will last 90k miles. I will change them before then though. Again welcome.
As I stated previously, I reviewed the documents for DexCool for legal reasons. This is not nonsense. DexCool is composed of a different chemical composition and anti-corrosion package than the green coolant. Specifically made for use in aluminum radiators, DexCool neither gels when combined with it and does not gel when exposed to oxygen. The Land Rover engineers authorized DexCool use back when BMW owned the company and gave it their approval at the completion of the R&D.
However, as I always listen to my fellow enthusiasts, I did check out the back of the Prestone coolant that could be added to any color coolant, and the DexCool version. On the back of the yellow bottle, it stated that this type of coolant could be added to any color coolant and would extend protection. On the back of the DexCool bottle, it specifically states the product is recommended for aluminum radiators. They are two different sentences with two completely different meanings.
Also, I give credit where it is due, you were correct in that the yellow bottle claimed it was safe for all radiators inclusive of aluminum. But it still does not expressly state it is recommended, and therein lies a major difference. Technicality, yes, but an important one in terms of manufacturer liability.
As far as the plugs, I have also talked to Land Rover engineers at length about certain requirements of the engine, including the reasons for platinum plugs that I stated earlier. You could use anything you wanted, just as using regular as opposed to premium, but performance will suffer. The issue with plugs is no different.
Recovery Vehicle
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,099
Likes: 8
source of the problem...
Thanks for the greeting. The "Thor" engine found in the DII is a derivative of the aluminum block Buick engine Rover bought the rights to from GM in the mid 60's, with updates of course, throughout the years and the most recent, and last, being the 4.0L and 4.6L engines. It only stopped leaking from 99-04 due to the BMW/Bosch years of development.
As I stated previously, I reviewed the documents for DexCool for legal reasons. This is not nonsense. DexCool is composed of a different chemical composition and anti-corrosion package than the green coolant. Specifically made for use in aluminum radiators, DexCool neither gels when combined with it and does not gel when exposed to oxygen. The Land Rover engineers authorized DexCool use back when BMW owned the company and gave it their approval at the completion of the R&D.
However, as I always listen to my fellow enthusiasts, I did check out the back of the Prestone coolant that could be added to any color coolant, and the DexCool version. On the back of the yellow bottle, it stated that this type of coolant could be added to any color coolant and would extend protection. On the back of the DexCool bottle, it specifically states the product is recommended for aluminum radiators. They are two different sentences with two completely different meanings.
Also, I give credit where it is due, you were correct in that the yellow bottle claimed it was safe for all radiators inclusive of aluminum. But it still does not expressly state it is recommended, and therein lies a major difference. Technicality, yes, but an important one in terms of manufacturer liability.
As far as the plugs, I have also talked to Land Rover engineers at length about certain requirements of the engine, including the reasons for platinum plugs that I stated earlier. You could use anything you wanted, just as using regular as opposed to premium, but performance will suffer. The issue with plugs is no different.
As I stated previously, I reviewed the documents for DexCool for legal reasons. This is not nonsense. DexCool is composed of a different chemical composition and anti-corrosion package than the green coolant. Specifically made for use in aluminum radiators, DexCool neither gels when combined with it and does not gel when exposed to oxygen. The Land Rover engineers authorized DexCool use back when BMW owned the company and gave it their approval at the completion of the R&D.
However, as I always listen to my fellow enthusiasts, I did check out the back of the Prestone coolant that could be added to any color coolant, and the DexCool version. On the back of the yellow bottle, it stated that this type of coolant could be added to any color coolant and would extend protection. On the back of the DexCool bottle, it specifically states the product is recommended for aluminum radiators. They are two different sentences with two completely different meanings.
Also, I give credit where it is due, you were correct in that the yellow bottle claimed it was safe for all radiators inclusive of aluminum. But it still does not expressly state it is recommended, and therein lies a major difference. Technicality, yes, but an important one in terms of manufacturer liability.
As far as the plugs, I have also talked to Land Rover engineers at length about certain requirements of the engine, including the reasons for platinum plugs that I stated earlier. You could use anything you wanted, just as using regular as opposed to premium, but performance will suffer. The issue with plugs is no different.
"I have also talked to Land Rover engineers at length about certain requirements of the engine"
There's the problem...talking to idiots who designed the pile of Crap in the first place....
Thread Starter
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Mudding
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Elizabeth City, NC
I assure you from an electronic engineer perspective a plug that is made from platinum does not make a better spark then one made from copper, this is pure fact. Now the shape of the electrode may in fact cause a more efficient burn. As in the E3 spark plugs, and the platinum +4's. There is more "line of sight" access to the spark for the fuel mixture. These companies have essential reproduced in mass what race car engine builders have been doing for years. You can easily get the same affect with a set of indexing washers, a sharpey, two cobalt drill bits, and a table vise. The only reason platinum plugs are ever recommended by a vehicles manufacturer is because people neglect their spark plugs, that is all.
Baja
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,232
Likes: 52
From: Georgia, USA
People use the + 4's because Disco Mike says to.
The only advantage to platinum coated plugs, and that's what they are, coated or tipped, is that the platinum doesn't erode as fast as copper.
Platinum is about 1/6 as electrically conductive as copper, but has about a 70% higher melting point. A little over 1000c for copper vs a bit over 1700c for platinum.
A spark plug performs best when the electrode temperature is between about 500c and 950c.
If that 500-800% price premium over the price of copper it worth it to you, go for it.
Personally I watch the ads and buy cheap Autolite, or whatever, when they are less than $1 a plug.
The only advantage to platinum coated plugs, and that's what they are, coated or tipped, is that the platinum doesn't erode as fast as copper.
Platinum is about 1/6 as electrically conductive as copper, but has about a 70% higher melting point. A little over 1000c for copper vs a bit over 1700c for platinum.
A spark plug performs best when the electrode temperature is between about 500c and 950c.
If that 500-800% price premium over the price of copper it worth it to you, go for it.
Personally I watch the ads and buy cheap Autolite, or whatever, when they are less than $1 a plug.
my truck came with champion plugs (ill gapped) and cheap wires from the PO. When i got the truck I had misfires so while doing the headgaskets i switched to the Plat +4's and magnecor 8mm's. I no longer have misfires, don't have to worry about the gap or the 8mm's breaking down. For me its more peace of mind than anything. I got the plugs off ebay for $43 shipped and of course the wires from apex performance... just my 2 cents.