Spark Plug Replacement
 

Hi, everyone! I'm a newbie to this forum, having just purchased an '03 Protoge5.

The car currently has 28,000 miles & according to the maintenance log, is due for new plugs at 30,000. Is this correct - seems a little early to me! What brand/type plugs do you recommend? Is this a "do-it-yourself" project or do I need an expert?

Thanks for any help you can give me - I look forward to sharing a lot of good info with you all on this Forum!! :)

good to have new members. You'll enjoy a lot of information here. It's all found by using the SEARCH button at the top of the screen. Try there first as this has been covered many times before.

Easy DIY....Mazda recommends NGK's

i got the "long reach" NGK from my dealer for like 3 bucks each installed em myself no problem.

"Long reach"...you mean the 1.6L ones? :rolleyes:

What is the part number?

The part no. of the extended reach spark plugs as used in the 1.6L engine is:
NGK ZFR5F-11. I use them in my 2.0L.

What's the advantage of the extended reach plugs?

someone correct me if i'm wrong, but doesn't the long reach plugs let the ful/air mixture detonate much fully, but at the same time the plug itself is prone to getting too much heat.

I'm not sure, but lets find out what others have to say. You can actually buy the NGK Iridium IX for 6.99 a pop.

You're correct on both counts, that's why it's important that a projected nose plug have the same heat range as the plug you're replacing. The NGK ZFR5F-11 has the same "5" heat range as the stock 2.0 plug. I've got over 5,000 miles on the set I installed and they run fine on 87 octane.

Rich

Iridium Plugs Rule!
 

I put a set of Denso 'Iridium Power' plugs in this week. I've got improved acceleration, smoother idle and more power. Granted my copper NGK's were at 33K, so it was overdue, but what an improvement! It feels like an improvement in hp, but who knows. I had walked into AutoZone looking for the NGK iridiums, but Denso was all they had in stock. At $12.99 each they are not cheap, a dollar more than I was paying for platinum, but they are definitely worth the extra.

The iridium electrode is just 0.4 mm diameter, producing a 'stronger spark', according to the hype on the package. The iridium tip is even harder than platinum, so it should hold up to wear-&-tear even better. The fuel consumption is hyped as increasing, but as yet to be determined, but it does appear to improve, even in around-town travel.

I'm heading to Colorado next week with the car, so I'll be able to give a full report upon my return.

This looks to be a winner!

Buy the NGK iridium plugs for the best ignitability and lowest sparking voltage requirement. I suggest ordering them online through http://www.sparkplugs.com.

Welcome to the forum. I hope that you have fun here.

<~~~just got back from my work conference where I met the human resource manager for Denso. She's going to arrange for me to get a tour of the Denso plug plant in Tennesse and some good information on them.

Sounds like someone is a man of the auto industry....

used to be..... now I'm in the "retirement/profit sharing" industry!

some of our clients include:

Denso
Playboy
MGM/Mirage
Subaru of Indiana
Jamba Juice
American Express
FedEx
etc..

If you have employee's you need us. It's that easy!

Why would anyone want to pay $1 more per plug and $7.50-$31 shipping on top of that? To avoid sales tax, LOL. I'll just go to the parts store and order them.

BTW, the P/N for the irridium version of the "extended reach" plugs is ZFR5FIX-11.

Remember that not every auto parts store carries NGK or Denso plugs. And, of the ones that do, they won't stock every part number (usually just a selection of the most popular ones). Just don't expect to waltz into Walmart and come out with a set of good quality spark plugs! But, if you live near a Murray's or Napa, you may just be in luck...

Yeah but every dealer should, or should be able to order them easily. I just walked in, told them the part number and walked out 5 bucks poorer.

Playboy, eh???? I do need a date for Penn State's homecoming, think you can hook me up? :wave:

Autozone had the Bosch platinums... No too expensive either...

Napa, O'reilys, and CarQuest all have a warehouse distribution center nearby. Guess I'm spoiled, between the three I usually don't have a problem rounding up parts. O'reilys usually cost a bit less. 5.99 for NGK IX.

Not too expensive, but still a waste of money. Buy the NGK plugs.

So are the NGK-ZRF5-11 the stock OEM plugs for these cars? Are there a "non" long reach version?
Thanks.

all the plugs are about the same, but I did dyno runs of ngk vs. bosch, the results were surprising, but so minor that it really wouldnt matter unless you were really going to fight for 1 whp in your upper and lower powerbands.

Nothing is a waste of money if you have the money lol

but if you dont then stick with stock.

I have the Bosch Platinums +2 in there now and they are ok but i think they are whats causing my engine knocking... So i might just get the stock NGK's. :)

Get rid of those plugs. That's the problem.
NGK copper plugs are best suited for what we've got. Anything else is throwing money away IMO.

Hey I'm new to the forum. Recently I had a few probs with the spark plugs in my 2001 Protege 5. I replaced them with Bosch platinum plugs in Dec 2005. About a month ago I had to have them changed back to NGK's. The mechanic said they were heating to hot. He went ahead and replaced them. I drove away from that place and less than a mile away the check engine light came on again. Anyhow, I ended up taking it to the dealership and they replaced the ignition coils cuz they said they were bad on cylinders 2 & 4. Was it a bad idea to put the platinum plugs in and would this have caused the coils to go bad?

Oh and NOW....I have another check engine light and the dealership is telling me I need to replace the catalytic converter.

even if you are a beginner does not necessarily change the spark plugs on the service. I changed the spark with this video tutorial link

Every 10,000km should service your vehicles depending on use also.i prefer every 6000Km.i no of many other mechanics & back yard mechanics change before the recommended 10,000km

Whenever i purchase a new or second hand vehicle I personally service & replace with new & fluids,ex:brake,coolant, transmission ECT.