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MG MGF Technical - Gratuitous Plugs...

My F has done 48k miles, and is running pretty fine having just had a service. However, I'm wondering about changing the plugs:

[1] why are the original plugs specified up to 60k? Surely they can't last that long? Even if the plugs themselves are okay, what about all the crap in petrol - surely some of that gums up the surface of the plugs?

[2] is it worth changing them now, for a period of 12k miles until the next major 60k service? Would I get better starting (which isn't brilliant right now), performance etc. If so, what type should I change them for? (I got brilliant results with Bosch Super Fours in my Rover 216GTi) How much are the originals specified by Rover?

Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

David
David

[1] Basically because of the inaccessibility of the plugs. They are platinum tipped, which means they can last for upto 60K

[2] That's up to you! Others can relay their experiences of various other plugs, I've only ever used the Rover OE plugs.

HTH


Steve.

Steve Childs

Check out the archives on this one- Roger Parker has written quite alot on this subject and recommends Champion plugs.

>>[1] why are the original plugs specified up to 60k? Surely they can't last that long? Even if the plugs themselves are okay, what about all
the crap in petrol - surely some of that gums up the surface of the plugs?<<

They can and do last this long (mine have)- but are probably past their best at half this mileage. Roger recommends annual spark plug changes @ 12k miles. Up to you.
Spark plugs should not gum-up, unless the ignition timing is out, in which case you have a big problem!

>>[2] is it worth changing them now, for a period of 12k miles until the next major 60k service? Would I get better starting (which isn't
brilliant right now), performance etc. If so, what type should I change them for? (I got brilliant results with Bosch Super Fours in my
Rover 216GTi) How much are the originals specified by Rover?<<

See above and search those archives! :o)

Problem with damp weather starting? You have a VVC don't you? Buy and fit new ignition leads.

Fitting new spark plugs will almost certainly give you better performance over the old worn out ones in your engine. As to whether they'll give you a performance gain over an equivalent NEW OE spark plug is an all together different question...
Rob Bell

I've tried to buy some of the good ignition leads from Brown and Gammons via their website. Not impressed so far with the service, done all as required, but still waiting to hear from them regarding confirmation due to postal charges? I thought B&G were better than this. If they don't come thier loss. :)
Paul Lathwell

Paul, B&G where brilliant with mine, ordered it 4pm oneday, it was shipped pre 11am next.

Maybe worth chasing up, they might be waiting for stock. All of mine was in stock, so I don't know what they do if its not in stock.

Steve.
Steve Childs

I can't complain about B&G service either, always been quick, or called if out of stock. They also saved me from missing donnington by fitting my in on the saturday after a phone call at 9am begging for help.

Anyway back to plugs. I just got my plugs changed at 30k, i think the garage put in NKG, i wasn't bothered what was put in, basically the impression i get from all i have read is that performance difference between new plugs isn't very great, basically plugs are plugs, but old plugs are pants.

Instantly i noticed the engine running smoother and sharper so i would recomend it to anybody.

so far in my short time as a car owner i have picked up two things i will do for ever more. Change spark plugs (if they are old) and secondly get a decent air filter. So the volvo 340GL (i have decided to rebadge it R, either that or get a 360 and put Modena after it, it will fool everybody) will have spanking new plugs and a nice throaty growl from the K&N i will fit. I'm sure even on a pants old 1.4 engine these 2 things will make it an even more pleasurable experience.
Matt

Yeah, don't get me wrong - I've always had the impress B&G are good, just surpirsed I've not heard anything even if to say sorry but we are out of stock. Strange. Guess I'll just have to stop being lazy and chase them up. :)
Paul Lathwell

> 360 and put Modena after it.

LOL, don't forget the black prancing horse on yellow background sticker ;) That will complete the illusion :p


Steve.
Steve Childs

Just got genuine Rover leads and plugs for £40 inc vat. Try Express Factors in St Albans - 01727 836644 - I was recommended to go there by Diamond in Hatfield as Diamond were unable to open their parts dept. as they couldn't afford to employ a partsman!!
James

Jame I went for the B&G leads for quality over the standard MG ones - thanks for the suggestion though. :)
Paul Lathwell

Thanks for the PLUG Rob!!

Just to add a couple of minor things to what Rob said... I actually prefer NGK plugs, although I do not find that Champion, Bosch, Nippon Denso, etc atlernatives in the same range are any better or worse. Personal choice dictates along with price.

For the platinum tipped standard type of plug I would suggest a change at 24K miles year intervals for maintained peak performance, economy, starting and general response.

For the alternative copper cored variety I suggest a change at around 6K mile intervals to maintain as above.

For plugs with more than one earth electrode usually two or four then I would double the standard copper cored suggested life.

All plugs will exceed these limits suggested, but you will find that at some point usually close to these suggestions that there will be the start of a tailing off of performance etc.

Plug gaps should remain as standard and whilst there will be distinct advantages for changing plugs outside these suggested limits when comparing one new one of one type with a new on of another I suggest you will see and feel no differences.

David, on the basis of your major service being in signt I suggest a set of standard copper cored plugs, e.g. NGK BKR6EK (twin earth electrode copper type) which should take you nicely up to the service interval.

Rog
Roger Parker

Roger,

>Plug gaps should remain as standard

As in as the plug come or as in to match the gap of the original plugs used in the F?
Paul Lathwell

Do'h- yeah, Rog recommends NGKs... bloomin' prions.

Gaps should be as per standard MGF. Can't remember the gap distance- it'll be in the archive- but can anyone remember it?
Rob Bell

Guy's,
I was thinking about the new ignition leads from B&G. Would I need any special tools to fit them ? especially if I was to change the plugs too ?
That probably sounds really stupid doesn't it...It's just that I know The little red rockets engine is a little sneakier to get to than yer average motor!!

Cheers

Kieren

p.s Paul - I'm gonna pop in to B&G sometime this week. I'm not sure where abouts in Herts you are, but if there's anything you want me to get/ask for you, I'm sure we could meet up somewhere afterwards if you wanted it and couldn't make it to B&G yourself.
Kieren Gibson

David, Bristol
Replacing the plugs is a doddle. As it's so easy, I would go for the copper plugs and replace regularly. It is probably cheaper that way as well.

I have just replaced plugs and leads on my 96P VVC 27k miles. The difference is phenominal. I put a K&N on at the same time which may have helped. But all wet starting problems have gone and the car runs smoothly for the first time in years.

I have also produced some scripts with photos on how to do this for Paul Lathwell's MGF FAQ. Emailed them to him today in fact. If anybody wants a copy in the interim, then email me and I will send you a copy.

Received wisdom says the magnecor leads are better than the OEM. Certainly my OEM looked in a pretty poor state when I changed them.

Kieren,
>>Would I need any special tools to fit them ?
Not the leads, but for the plugs, buy a long spark plug spanner for less than £5 from Halfords. Well worth the money.

Paul,
>> I've tried to buy some of the good ignition leads from Brown and Gammons via their website. Not impressed so far with the service, done all as required, but still waiting to hear from them regarding confirmation due to postal charges? I thought B&G were better than this. If they don't come thier loss. :)
As I have said on another thread give them a call. If you have not got the auto email then the order has got lost. Not a problem exclusive to B&G.
David Mills

David,

>I have also produced some scripts with photos on how to do this for Paul >Lathwell's MGF FAQ.

Would that be the massive file that I'm downloading now then?

As for B&G's I got the auto e-mail to notify me about the need for calculating the postage on my order - I was expecting to get another e-mail to tell me how much this would be and an option to either confirm and allow them to process the order or back out.

Kieren,

Not to worry mate, there no hurry on my part and I'm just as happy to wait to hear from B&G's or wait untl Silverstone and get some leads then. Not as if the car cannot be used type of thing. :)
Paul Lathwell

Just to let you know I received my HT leads from B&G today - to further contact with regards to postal charges. Stil they are here now.

Hmmm, I see from their website that it appears I should have five leads, I only got the four HT leads themselves?
Paul Lathwell

Plugs' gap should be 0.9mm. What a memory (provided I got that right, of course...)

E
Ed Clarke

Paul
>>Hmmm, I see from their website that it appears I should have five leads, I only got the four HT leads themselves?

So did I. Didn't think anything of it at the time, but... I wonder.
David Mills

Krypton factor awaits Ed! ;o)

0.9 mm (36 thou of an inch) is indeed the standard sparker gap. Just checked the archive!
Rob Bell

...so does anyone know where I can get these original platinum plugs, and for how much...?
David

This thread was discussed between 20/04/2001 and 01/05/2001

MG MGF Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGF Technical BBS is active now.