Spark plugs, suggestions?

Just clicked over 10,000 miles today. Thinking about replacing my spark plugs.
Any suggestions? I suppose I should also replace the plug wires with the NGK upgrades too, although the stock ones still work.

I like the NGK CR8EIX Iridium plugs for both the GRiSO and the Stelvio.

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No need to replace your spark plug wires, just be gentle with the plug cap extraction. Someone else here made the great suggestion of disconnecting the plug boot by removing the valve cover bolts and pull up the boot by removing the valve cover. Works great, and you're all set to check the valve lash at the same time.

I'm still running the original spark plug wires on my GRiSO.

SD

Looks like there are now 3 tricks for this ?? I thought the standard trick was to jemmy the plug covers through the front opening in the fins (was going to be my 'next time' approach); and up to now I've used the 'PP thin rope around the plug cover top' trick which has always worked so far. Doesn't using the cam cover risk whacking the tank when it releases ? BTW NGK Laser Platinum PMR8B work fine for me although Iridium is claimed to be an 'Upgrade' .....so is Unobtainium but I can't seem to find them at any of the shops :-)

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] until the suggestion to pull them up with the valve covers. Using the covers is much easier, and in my experience they don't "pop" up enough to bang into anything. Besides, they are still "restrained" by the HT leads...

The screwdriver trick through the drain channels works ok, but there's really not much leverage to be had.

Will give it a try - thanks for the insights

Caveat: Obviously, the valve cover lifting trick is useless if the boots have already been cut and the SB05E boots have been grafted on... It's only useful for preserving the OE fragile elbows.

Thanks! I always use the shoelace method. 3 turns around the right angle and a gentle pull. No damage yet. Say, those plugs are expensive! Should I wait a few more miles?

Those plugs do 100,000 km in car engines, I've used the same plugs for 50,000km (30,000 miles) in my GRiSO without issues. I wouldn't change them at 10,000 unless they were creating problems.

Its not like I own a BMW or a Ducati and have $$$$ to burn!!!

It looks like the Iridium ones are almost 1/2 price of the platinum ones (UK sites & prices) which goes against the periodic table 'rareness' theme but hey-ho (on that basis unobtainium ones would be free or they'd pay you to use them... if you could get hold of them). PS would need to add in the cost of a new pair of shoe laces each time you change them though

Tey're cheaper in the US too...

Steak wrote:

I like the NGK CR8EIX Iridium plugs for both the GRiSO and the Stelvio

What is the advantage to use those plugs ?

If you use external iridium plugs do you have to use the internal plugs with the same technology or can it be mixed between external and internal ?

Richard, those plugs are better on all level.
Iridium is a great material to combat heat and corrosion thus, perfect in the combustion chamber of the engine.

As far as external plugs, the 8V mill only has one plug per cylinder and it's the external one.
On the 1100, it would make sense to go iridium with all four plugs. I have not done that yet on my 2007 but next service at 36K miles, I will.

Thanks for the explanation Pascal. Understood. Better wait for the next service and change all the plugs.

Yep. I believe you have to lift the gas tank for at least one side to get to those inner plugs on the 1100.
So once you install the iridium ones, you're done for a long time...I say 60K miles at least.