1998 V70 Spark plugs look dirty, but are they normal?

[misha]

[cn90]

dosbricks,

I don't know about the accuracy of FCPEuro website.

The Volvo dealer website, I believe, is more accurate than FCP Euro. I know for fact that this Volvo PN 8642660 fits both Turbo and Non-Turbo models. In this discussion, I only mention this for cross-reference discussion, and not the 3-prong thingy (which I don't care for...).

http://www.volvopartswebstore.com/produ ... 42660.html

And yes, people in forum have used Bosch 7955 in both turbo and no-turbo 5 cylinder machines.
For practical purpose, the same plug is specified for both turbo and no-turbo 5 cylinder engines. Tons of info in forum.

Yes, I have used this NGK Iridium in all my cars BMW M52, M54 engines, Volvo Turbo and non-turbo (I had a 1998 V70 non-turbo too).

PS: Volvo 3-prong thingy: this is something I don't care for, just marketing tactic and not much science behind it. People fall into this 3-prong trap all the time, thinking 3-prong is better than 1-prong. The 3-prong is a placebo effect.

We have been through this 4-prong thingy in BMW forum too. Many people in BMW forum now go to NGK, single-prong and Iridium plugs and report excellent result in terms of fuel efficiency, engine smoothness etc. In fact, the 4-prong is worse than 1-prong (b/c the 4-prong has gap adjustment issue), tons of experience in BMW forums.

Once I have switched to NGK Iridium, I am not going going back to copper or Volvo OEM.

[cn90]

@misha,

I feel sorry for people falling into the Volvo trap...

Go to dealer website I listed above (real Volvo dealer website) and punch in:
* 8642660
* 8692071

And see for yourself re turbo and non-turbo models. The 3-prong vs 1-prong dance starts.
Even Bosch and NGK website lists the same PN for turbo and non-turbo models.

I have been around these spark plugs too long, the copper, platinum come and go. Iridium is recent, during the last 10 years or so.
The only reason people still use copper is that: it is cheap $2, but it only lasts 25K-30K, after that fuel mileage suffers (you don't notice that but it is a slow degradation). Nothing wrong with copper as long as one changes the spark plug every 25K-35K or so.
The Iridium gives people much more lasting performance. You should see an Iridium plug with 100K miles on it. The gap is virtually unchanged!

The major difference between Iridium and Copper starts after 30K: after 30K, the Iridium holds up nicely leaving the Copper in the dust...

The future sits in single-prong Iridium.
Don't believe me, then ask any spark plug gurus, they will tell you that.

[misha]

I bought the car almost new back in 2000.All that time i used ONLY oem Volvo triple prong spark plugs.Single prong ones,as far as i remember,were the ones the car came from the factory with.
They easily lasts 100k km.Last ones which were replaced at 75k km had a plenty of life on them,but i replaced them anyway since i allready bought them.
They are around 30eur for set of 5,so price is not an issue for 100k km or 8-10 years of service.I don't know what Volvo trap you're talking about since the price is almost the same for both versions...give or take.

[dosbricks]

cn90, okay, so you found a variant--fits C70 2.5l turbo. Maybe I'm wrong, but as far as I know, 1994-1998 turbo are 2.3l. They do not use this plug. The OP's car is a 1998 S70 base which uses this plug.

So you will have to forgive me for using the Volvo OE plug that Volvo sells across the counter for my two NAs. Try and make the best of it, because I'm not going to knot up my shorts or loose sleep because they don't have iridium plugs under the hood.

[misha]

cn90, okay, so you found a variant--fits C70 2.5l turbo. Maybe I'm wrong, but as far as I know, 1994-1998 turbo are 2.3l.

You have T5 with 2.0 liter engine and T5R with 2.3 liter and especially made For Italian market...an T5R with 2.0 liter engine.

[abscate]

I'm still trying to fit my Iridium into my T5....spent all day on it. Is there a number for phone support?

[misha]

[RussB]

cn90, you so stubborn!


N/A 2.4l spark plug,




Turbo 2.3l spark plug,




the future...

[crlande]

Both my '94 850 and '98 S70 original owners manuals:
Replacing spark plugs
The spark plugs should be changed every 30,000 miles (48,000 km). However, city driving or fast highway driving may necessitate changing after 15,000 miles (24,000 km) of driving. When installing new plugs, be sure to fit the right type and use correct torque, see "Specifications". When changing the plugs, check that the suppressor connectors are in good condition. Cracked or damaged connectors should be replaced. When changing the spark plugs, clean the terminals and the rubber seals.