Spark Plugs for old car

[caretaker]

Going back 40 years I had a collection of spark plugs and old cars and I was always tinkering with them, I remember I would get any spark plug and as long as it was the right length put it in the car and it would run ok.
I was having a clear out in my garage and I came across 4x NGK BP6ES long reach plugs brand new, now do I dare try them in my car.
The ones in my little car are BKR5EKC for a Perodua Kenari.
Or are they desting for the bin.
Reg

 

[mind_the_goat]

you could always put them on ebay, someone with an old car might be very grateful for them.

 

[bodge]

Unless they are the same length I would give them a miss. The longer ones may encourage contact with the piston which you do not want. Also, the ones in your car at present are resisted to help suppress RFI and the replacements are not. The heat rating would also seem to be different, which may promote pinking/knocking. If it were me, I would even think of it. Modern computer controlled cars with sensors everywhere can be very fussy
For the sake of £12 for a shiny new set (you only need three!) it really doesn't add up in my book.

 

[caretaker]

For once I will listen to my betters, ebay it is then.
What ever I get it will go towards new plugs.
I don't have a lot of luck with ebay, I sold an object on there for £10 and had to pay £8 postage, so will find out postage first.
:ho2

 

[MMUK]

BP6ES is standard fit for the original Mini as well as several motorbikes from the late 80's and early 90's such as the Kawasaki ZZR600.

 

[ChrisR]

Reg.

Don’t sell them cheep.
My brother-in-law, purchased a set, (don’t know the number) for his vintage Austin, a few months back, can’t remember how much he paid, but I know I had a sharp intake of breath when he told me the price.

It looks as if the day of the five bob spark plug is over.

Take care.

Chris R.

 

[MMUK]

Reg.

Don’t sell them cheep.
My brother-in-law, purchased a set, (don’t know the number) for his vintage Austin, a few months back, can’t remember how much he paid, but I know I had a sharp intake of breath when he told me the price.

It looks as if the day of the five bob spark plug is over.

Take care.

Chris R.

It's only certain models of plug that are expensive. The ER8EH plug for the VFR400 for example are around £15 each whereas the CR9E for the Yamaha Thundercat (among many other bikes) are only around £6 each. Why? Because the ER8EH is produced in very limited numbers because the demand is so little.

The BP6ES is a common plug fitted to lots of different cars (Mini, Saxo, 106, R5, Metro, Rover 100, etc.) so cost is a lot less as they are mass produced in the millions. Around £4 each is a decent price.

 

[carlb40]

Reg.

Don’t sell them cheep.
My brother-in-law, purchased a set, (don’t know the number) for his vintage Austin, a few months back, can’t remember how much he paid, but I know I had a sharp intake of breath when he told me the price.

It looks as if the day of the five bob spark plug is over.

Take care.

Chris R.

A lot seem to be going over to spark plugs with a built in coil pack. So you end up paying £30+ for one plug :shock:

 

[MMUK]

Aye, they've been using stick coils on bikes for over ten years now. They're not part of the spark plug, just one separate coil per plug. A much better system as it does away with HT leads.

 

[undergroundhunter]

Fiat now use iridium spark plugs in the punto 1.4 turbo they are £90 for a set of four!!!!! Glad I run a diesel.

Matt

 

[blackrodd]

Spark plugs are made in different heat values, to help an engine to run hotter or cooler, so if you get it wrong you may well run you're engine too hot and seize it up!
Most coil motorcycle packs are more than £100. each now, at 1 per cylinderand part of the annual service is to take the coil packs out and clean and grease them because as they are enclosed they are subject to condensation and corrode in place, trapping the spark plug.
It happened to someone I know who bought an apparently "well maintained" honda vfr and all 4 packs were seized and had to be drilled out at a cost of over £700.
A very expensive service! Regards Rodders