What did you do to your Volvo today? Topic is solved

[abscate]

Stopped in at the Bendix Diner in Paramus

Known for its starters

[bmdubya1198]

Spark plugs come in a blue package that says Volvo and models they fit on it..

Definitely going to be the best option! You can find good deals online for genuine plugs.

I've always been a bit confused with what are the proper spark plugs for the T5. I see lots of recommendations for Bosch coppers gapped to 0.028", but the manual states the gap for turbos is 0.030":

Champion RC8PYP cross references to Bosch FR7DP which are the plugs currently in my T5, running happy.

Why does everyone recommend a gap of 0.028" regardless if turbo or NA? I've never seen anyone actually explain this. Is the manual wrong?

I did a lot of reading on VS, and most of those guys recommend using FR7DC with 0.028" gap on all turbo models. I'm not sure why they say 0.030" in the manual, I haven't really looked into that.
The correct plugs for the NA are actually 2- or 3-prong plugs, and are not adjustable. My cousin put a set of those in his last NA S70 and it ran much better than the old plugs (they were old and worn out, so an improvement was inevitable!).
I also read that the platinum plugs work best in NAs if you aren't using the Volvo plugs.

[WhatAmIDoing]

Yes, but if I go to Volvo (60 mile trip) they'll charge me £55 for spark plugs. Now if those spark plugs are Champion RC8PYPs, then I can buy those for £30 delivered. If we're talking compatible spark plugs like the FR7DP, then I can get those for £20 delivered. The equivalents from NGK would cost me £12. Potentially significant savings to be had here, especially if they all perform equally due to having the same composition and same core thickness equating to the same ohm resistance and temperatures. Hence the dilemma, and the query.

All for Volvo blue boxes, but if I can get the same part for half the price or even less, you better believe I'm taking 50% off.

[Rattnalle]

Same part will likely be from Bosch. The three prong ones

[abscate]

The Volvo ones won't be counterfeit. The Bosch ones can be, with probability exp(666/price you paid in cents)/Po

[WhatAmIDoing]

Spark plugs come in a blue package that says Volvo and models they fit on it..

Definitely going to be the best option! You can find good deals online for genuine plugs.

I've always been a bit confused with what are the proper spark plugs for the T5. I see lots of recommendations for Bosch coppers gapped to 0.028", but the manual states the gap for turbos is 0.030":

Champion RC8PYP cross references to Bosch FR7DP which are the plugs currently in my T5, running happy.

Why does everyone recommend a gap of 0.028" regardless if turbo or NA? I've never seen anyone actually explain this. Is the manual wrong?

I did a lot of reading on VS, and most of those guys recommend using FR7DC with 0.028" gap on all turbo models. I'm not sure why they say 0.030" in the manual, I haven't really looked into that.
The correct plugs for the NA are actually 2- or 3-prong plugs, and are not adjustable. My cousin put a set of those in his last NA S70 and it ran much better than the old plugs (they were old and worn out, so an improvement was inevitable!).
I also read that the platinum plugs work best in NAs if you aren't using the Volvo plugs.

Tried to do a little research. FCP lists "Volvo Spark Plug Set - 8692071" as the factory replacement for P80 turbos since 1994. After digging through the cross reference charts for those as well as Champion RC8PYP (appears NLA), I came up with DENSO PK20PR-P8, NGK PFR6B, and BOSCH FR7DPP+. After looking at Champions very nice parts finder tool, it would appear that RC8PYP has been superseded by RC9PYP.

As for who makes Volvo plugs, there seems to be some debate (probably Bosch). All these plugs are (double) Platinum, so I'm assuming Volvo's are platinum as well. Anyway, based on my research (unless all the literature is wrong), platinum plugs gapped to 0.030" are the correct plugs for turbo P80s. *Your mileage may vary.

Same part will likely be from Bosch. The three prong ones

Everything I have read says not to use three pronged plugs in turbo engines.

[Rattnalle]

I could be confusing then with the NA that I switched plugs ok about the same time as my turbo. It's soon time again so I guess I'll find out.

[bmdubya1198]

I could be confusing then with the NA that I switched plugs ok about the same time as my turbo. It's soon time again so I guess I'll find out.

That's possible, the OE plugs for the NAs are 3 prong.

[bmdubya1198]

Changed the heater core in the GLT today. No coolant on the floor fortunately, but it appears there was a slow leak coming from the heater core itself. There was some white crust around the bottom.
Probably the source of the coolant smell in the car, though. Unfortunately the trash bag I was using to cover the floor while removing the old heater core must have had a hole in it, I ended up spilling coolant all over my floor mat. Fortunately I decided to keep the mat in the car, otherwise my carpet would have been drenched!

I also installed my do88 expansion tank hoses since I had the coolant drained. Those had been on the shelf for at least a year!

[Cookeh]

Canistos really suit the V70, more so than the C70 in my opinion.

Spark plugs come in a blue package that says Volvo and models they fit on it..

Definitely going to be the best option! You can find good deals online for genuine plugs.

I've always been a bit confused with what are the proper spark plugs for the T5. I see lots of recommendations for Bosch coppers gapped to 0.028", but the manual states the gap for turbos is 0.030":

Champion RC8PYP cross references to Bosch FR7DP which are the plugs currently in my T5, running happy.

Why does everyone recommend a gap of 0.028" regardless if turbo or NA? I've never seen anyone actually explain this. Is the manual wrong?

I did a lot of reading on VS, and most of those guys recommend using FR7DC with 0.028" gap on all turbo models. I'm not sure why they say 0.030" in the manual, I haven't really looked into that.
The correct plugs for the NA are actually 2- or 3-prong plugs, and are not adjustable. My cousin put a set of those in his last NA S70 and it ran much better than the old plugs (they were old and worn out, so an improvement was inevitable!).
I also read that the platinum plugs work best in NAs if you aren't using the Volvo plugs.

Tried to do a little research. FCP lists "Volvo Spark Plug Set - 8692071" as the factory replacement for P80 turbos since 1994. After digging through the cross reference charts for those as well as Champion RC8PYP (appears NLA), I came up with DENSO PK20PR-P8, NGK PFR6B, and BOSCH FR7DPP+. After looking at Champions very nice parts finder tool, it would appear that RC8PYP has been superseded by RC9PYP.

As for who makes Volvo plugs, there seems to be some debate (probably Bosch). All these plugs are (double) Platinum, so I'm assuming Volvo's are platinum as well. Anyway, based on my research (unless all the literature is wrong), platinum plugs gapped to 0.030" are the correct plugs for turbo P80s. *Your mileage may vary.

Same part will likely be from Bosch. The three prong ones

Everything I have read says not to use three pronged plugs in turbo engines.

Great information, thanks for taking the time. I've now seen a mix of platinum-iridium and double platinum being cross-referenced with the OE Champion plug, does anyone know if there is a performance advantage to one or the other?