06 XC70 - Recommended spark plug frequency?

[scot850]

Our car (now our sons) has been dealer serviced since purchased new. No issues with the work that has been done.

However with the dealer labour rate, now at $200/hr, me being retired and having a hoist in the garage it is time to start doing the servicing on this car myself. Plus our son is not earning a huge pay.

I guess it is due the next 'large' service as it has now passed 120,000 miles (192,000km). We have had a lot of stuff done out of sequence due to timing rather than mileage. Some due to the original owner 'passing' on work prior to use buying the car.

Anyway, on to spark plugs. the 60,000 mile (96,000km) service has spark plugs listed. Last set was done at 90,000 miles (144,000km).

Surely in this day and age plugs do more than that? My 03 Toyota 4Runner plug frequency is 192,000km (120,000 miles). Yes I have had them done earlier than that as I was afraid they would be corroded in place (it has not passed 120,000km yet)!

I only use Volvo OE plugs on our cars. But isn't that overkill on such a low mileage between changes?

Last thing, there are 3 different plugs listed on Volvo websites for the car when I plugged the Vin# in (item #17 on drawing)

https://www.volvocarstorontoparts.ca/a/ ... 28688.html

The last time the plug used was the 3rd option # 8692071, so I plan to use that again. However, what are the other 2 options, especially the first one? It quotes 'variant CF17 and CF6C'. Anyone know what this means or where to find that info on a car?

Neil.

[scot850]

I looked at IPD and FCP websites and they listed the 8692701 for the Volvo plugs. IPD also lists a Denso iridium plug. I believe that is what is fitted to the Toyota 4Runner I have (iridium plugs, different part number).

Interestingly, when I look at websites in Canada and Rock Auto, they list 2 or 3 iridium Denso parts numbers but not the same one as IPD lists?? Interestingly, the preset plug gap is either 0.040" or 0.044" depending on the version. For the Bosch platinums the gap is only 0.028" which is what I am used to.

I know many use NGK plugs with no issues. Anyone have any thoughts on plugs other than OE Volvo?

I'll probably stick with the Volvo plugs, as our son does such a low mileage. His car maybe does 5000km/year as he works from home.

Neil.

[Krons]

I seem to recall Volvo ignition can be finicky. I’d stick with what FCP shows as the Volvo OEM. IMO 100k for plugs should be ok, coils at 200k.

At 120k and 20 year old I’d focus more on belts and fluids (steering, brakes and drivetrain)

[scot850]

All those are done and up to date other than I will do a steering flush and coolant in the fall.

Just did an inspection up on the hoist and other than some rusty components that could do with a clean and paint, the lower torque rod needs swapped (today as I have the part), and a slightly weeping RH axle seal, all is good.

I'll probably stick with the Volvo plugs used the last time, but wow, $120 CDN for the kit!!

Thanks,

Neil.

[MoVolvos]

I looked at IPD and FCP websites and they listed the 8692701 for the Volvo plugs. IPD also lists a Denso iridium plug. I believe that is what is fitted to the Toyota 4Runner I have (iridium plugs, different part number).

Interestingly, when I look at websites in Canada and Rock Auto, they list 2 or 3 iridium Denso parts numbers but not the same one as IPD lists?? Interestingly, the preset plug gap is either 0.040" or 0.044" depending on the version. For the Bosch platinums the gap is only 0.028" which is what I am used to.

I know many use NGK plugs with no issues. Anyone have any thoughts on plugs other than OE Volvo?

I'll probably stick with the Volvo plugs, as our son does such a low mileage. His car maybe does 5000km/year as he works from home.

Neil.

.
Plugs like oil changes and filters are cheap considering the price and life expectancy compared with all the other costs associated with car ownership. Just do them more often and you can't go wrong.

Depending on pricing and availability I'm starting to install copper on the older Volvos and other cars. I know they wear faster but from the research they are better performing whereas the newer metals are just longer interval plugs. It's a matter whether one wants to do the work more frequently but the copper can be considerably cheaper for sure.

As for the Iridium, when I installed a set right around 160K miles on our 03 Odyssey it was a huge huge night and day difference in performance besides the quietness and smoothness of the engine. Don't remember the brand removed but it's almost 250K now and van has not had any issues but it's time for a replacement just for the sake of it. A little indifferent getting to it however as if it ain't broke yadi yadi ya kind of thing .
.

[scot850]

I was just baulking at the $90 US from the online Volvo dealers for 5 plugs!!

Neil.

[erikv11]

Plug interval: I use Volvo plugs and change them around 50k miles, or earlier if the gap is opened way up and/or it's convenient to do the swap.

Here are the swap intervals from my maintenance file:
Volvo plugs: 51k, 43k, 47k, 44k, 62k
copper plugs: 32k

You son's car has 30k miles on the current plugs which you said were done at the dealer (Volvo brand), so they are fine for about another 10 years, based on your report that he drives less than 5k km per year. I'd pull them and check/adjust the gap, but probably not replace them.

If you replace them now with Volvo plugs you can expect them to last 20 years, so the brevity if a 60k mile interval doesn't affect this car anyway.

[abscate]

I’m running the copper Volvo OEM plugs on the entire fleet, replace every 25-30k miles. It’s cheaper with Fast Change Plugs, too. I don’t like any steel plug sitting in an aluminum head for 5 years.

If you can wait until September I can bring some up? Send me part number and I’ll check the Colonial price

[scot850]

I'm in no rush for this. I plan to look at tackling this and the fuel filter in the fall, possibly the coolant and brake flush on time. Next year will be the timing belt and pulleys as well as the serpentine belt. Again on a time/mileage bases. This car used to do a lot more miles before our son inherited it and now works from home.

I see many plugs like NGK and the likes (available locally) for a lot less. But this is a case I will probably stick with the OE Volvo ones. Like you guys mention, they are likely the cars last set and at 5kkm/year it will be a long time until the next ones.

Thanks guys!

Neil.

[wch2032]

As an aside since you haven't mentioned it, 120K is a good time to start doing the ATF drain+fills. You can do a full cycle (doing it 3-4 times in a row) but at 120K doing it only one cycle should suffice.

It won't be very noticeable as the fluid won't have degraded much but it'll let it last a long time. That and oil every 5-8K and the drivetrain shouldn't give you any problems. Plugs at 30k miles seems premature, especially if OE Volvo. They can do 60k+ with slight degradation in performance.