FU: Car issues

[blusubaru]

http://forums.macresource.com/read.php?1...msg-818257

The problem has been solved by a fantastic indie mechanic I found on CL. Sure, he's 100 blocks north of me, but worth it! The problem was not vacuum, not ignition coil, not MAF Sensor, not ECU, not transmission sensor... it was spark plugs. I had put the E3's in for more power and better fuel economy. Apparently it was too much for the old girl. The mechanic put in stock plugs and Ruby is good to go again! He trouble-shot on and off for 36 hours and only charged me $100, including the new plug install!

[Racer X]

what are E3 plugs?

[mikebw]

Racer X wrote:
what are E3 plugs?

I never heard of them before either- http://www.e3sparkplugs.com/technology.htm

[blusubaru]

E3 DIAMONDFIRE SPARK PLUG, -- 14 mm thread; 19 mm reach, 5/8 in. hex size, resistor type, gasket seat, copper core, projected tip; Guaranteed to provide more power while using less fuel, quicker starts and less fouling than competitive standard spark plugs; With E3's limited 5-year or 10,000-mile warranty.
http://tinyurl.com/ykvpbww

[space-time]

so some company can find a design flaw in an Engine from Subaru (or Honda, Toyota, etc) and they optimize the faulty component (spark plugs in this case) and then you get more power and better gas mileage? if it were that simple, why didn't the car manufacturer implement it in the first place?

not trying to play smart here, but I believe most things (cars, appliances, etc) were optimized by the manufacturer and there is not much to gain by using "high performance" after-market parts. I don't deny that you could get more power/performance in some cases, but it is usually not cost effective

EDIT: check out LASER spark plugs

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn89...plugs.html

[blusubaru]

Sure, hindsight is great. At the time (4k miles ago) I made the decision to do what looked like something good for my car that was made 11 years ago. Yes, I believe that things have changed in the aftermarket parts industry in that amount of time. I'm not trying to be smart either, just trying to help out other people by laying my mistake out there.

[mikebw]

Thanks for sharing. Obviously none of us were able to figure it out.

[Carm]

Space-time, that is usually the case.
There are some other modifications(increased exhaust diameter in intake and exhaust for example) that can improve performance, don't think they improve gas mileage.

Joe

[Harbourmaster]

I remember seeing these sorts of issues when Bosch first released their Platinum spark plugs...

Haven't been spending much time here lately and missed your original post about the problem...

[Racer X]

Harbourmaster wrote:
I remember seeing these sorts of issues when Bosch first released their Platinum spark plugs...

Haven't been spending much time here lately and missed your original post about the problem...

I was managing an auto parts store when the Boschj Platinums were released. oots of issues. Possibly the absolute worst plug you could put in a Buick turbo car for example, intensely hot but SMALL spark. Horrible for pre-ignition. And if the plugs heat range was cold enough to not pre-ignite, they fouled immediately.

Best bet is an Autolite double platinum. Standard plug design, but 2 platinum buttons where the spark jumps. Prevents spark erosion.

Those E3 plugs look like a redesigned Splitfire.