Plug wires and spark plugs

[white74westy]

Getting ready to do a tune up. Is there a favorite go-to that everyone has had good success with? I've had good results with NGK in the past. Is this okay for a '95 EVC? Stay with copper plugs? Stay away from platinum/iridium? Single electrode, or multiple electrode? Are there plugs and wires that I should stay away from?

Thanks for any and all advice.

[ocelotpotpie]

I tend to go with Champion or NGK in copper for that engine - the 2.5L gasoline.

Looks like the OEM plug is BPR5EKU so that's what I'd get again.

If you can get OEM wires and they won't break the bank then do that. Otherwise NGK or any other top quality brand should be good.

If it's lasted this long as OEM I'd go OEM and get another 25 years out of it.

[dazey77]

I like NGK (I ride bikes). I fitted the iridum plug, used them on many bikes and found them to perform well and last well. BPR5EIX is whats in mine
Also got some NGK leads.
If your changing the leads then you may want to do the cap and rotor at the same time.
_________________
My van modification blog:
www.dazedproductions.co.uk/Vanity

[postjosh]

i've been very happy with my 4 electrode iridium bosch plugs in my 2.5 aaf 5 cylinder. they are unobtanium at this point but bus depot still has their little brothers, the 2 electrode platinum.
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'93 EV Wkndr – 5 cylinder – 5 speed - 280k+ miles

[white74westy]

Thanks for all the responses!

I placed an order with RockAuto earlier today. I ordered NGK wires, Bosch double tipped platinum plugs...they were on clearance for $0.99 each. I also bought a genuine VW cap, and a Bosch rotor. I hope to have them soon. I will report back once everything is in place. Hopefully it will eliminate the stutter I get when I step on the accelerator.

[Mark in a Van]

[dazey77]

[quote="Mark in a Van"]

[Mark in a Van]

[quote="dazey77"]

[white74westy]

As I stated above, I placed an order with Rock Auto. I was a little worried after reading some of the other comments that fitment might be an issue. However, I'm pleased to say that everything worked out.

Here's what I got:

My apologies...but I didn't take a picture of the cap, before I installed it. I ordered an original VW cap to go along with the items above. They have all been installed and are working well!

Here's what came out of the van:

All things considered, the plugs didn't look great, but they didn't look terrible either. They had an unknown number of miles since they were last changed. I have no idea when the cap, rotor, wires etc. were replaced prior to taking ownership. It is hard to tell in the photo, but the contacts inside the cap are pitted. The rotor was extremely stubborn coming out. As you can see in the pictures, the end was burned and corroded. Overall, the van seems to be much happier since they were all changed out. I'm waiting on a new oil drain plug, in order to complete the last portion of the tune-up. Somebody reefed on it and stripped the head. As soon as it comes in, I hope to drain the oil and put in some fresh oil.

I hope this helps!

[subdewd]

At one point I had I installed the 4 electrode bosche plug. Performed worse than
The old ones I took out. Lowered mpg consistently .

[ocelotpotpie]

I haven't had very good luck with the four electrode plugs, either, but some people dig them.

Changing plugs is usually a pretty easy job, too, so it's worth trying them out if you dig. I generally tend to stick with copper single electrode plugs.

[1961tbird]

I changed everything out too (wires, distributor, rotor and plugs) in my 95 EVC.

The Bosch Platinum +2 plugs work great.

I bought the Magnecor KV85 8.5mm ignition wire kit from Pelican Parts. Expensive but the build quality is superb. Very happy.

[white74westy]

Thanks for all the feedback! I have no reference point, other than the way the vehicle ran prior to the plugs, wires, rotor, and cap having been replaced. So far, so good! I stayed away from the 4 electrode plugs, because there seemed to have been so many mixed results. The two electrode plugs seem to be doing well. There is a definite difference in the perceived performance. I don't have figures yet, because I haven't had her out enough to be able to gather any data, like mpg etc.

The thing that has me completely hacked off at the moment is the oil drain plug:

As you can see, somebody really went to town on this thing, and I can't for the life of me get it out. So completely aggravated and frustrated by this. I have tried a number of different tools and methods, and it still has not budged. I'm also struck by just how soft the metal on the bolt head is. I will figure it out...eventually.

[dazey77]

Someone made a right mess of that, good luck getting it off.

If you want an interim solution to the oil change, you can get suction kits for sucking all the oil out of the sump via the filler neck

E.g https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002EJ2GUC/?coliid=I12..._lig_dp_it
_________________
My van modification blog:
www.dazedproductions.co.uk/Vanity

[Abscate]

Get a good, new Vice Grip and get that locked on.that will get it.

Easy to weld a bar onto it , too.
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.ssS!

[subdewd]

The problem is that the drain plug washers aren't soft.aluminun
so people goon them on to keep them from dripping. Good luck, use vice grips and get a new plug washer and maybe use an oring behind.it

[white74westy]

[white74westy]

[white74westy]

[subdewd]

2 words,,,jiffy lube. R neighbors honda came home with a cracked oil pan.
Leaked out on their driveway.