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Best Spark plug for the 850 T or V70 ?

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

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Red-Arrow
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Year and Model: 850 T5 1995
Location: Scotland.
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Best Spark plug for the 850 T or V70 ?

Post by Red-Arrow »

I have just to complete the full service of the engine and the only thing missing is a set of new spark plugs.

What do most people use in there engines? I do not run high boost so I don't need a colder plug. OEM spec is fine.

Are there any plugs I should avoid? Champion plugs in Saabs are a waste of money for example.
Life would be enjoyable if it wasn't so painful to live.

confused_al
Posts: 1025
Joined: 4 August 2008
Year and Model: 1996 TLA wagon
Location: NJ

Post by confused_al »

You cant go wrong with OEM plugs (I think Bosch is the maker for turbo plugs). People here and in VS reported all kinds of problems with various other plugs.
Last edited by confused_al on 06 Nov 2010, 18:15, edited 1 time in total.
96 850 Platinum Wagon
98 MB ML320
06 V70
95 850 GLT(RIP)

Ozark Lee
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Post by Ozark Lee »

I just use the plain old Bosch coppers on mine. Like Al said, you can never go wrong (at least yet) with Volvo OEM parts.

I think the old plug number I used was Bosch number FR7DC but they have changed their numbering scheme and I can't recall the new part number.

The gap is critical - 0.028 or slightly less
.

...Lee
'94 850 N/A 5 speed
'96 Platinum Edition Turbo
Previous:
1999 V70XC - Nautic Blue - Totaled while parked.
1999 V70XC - RIP - Wrecked Parts Car.
1998 S70 T5
1996 850 N/A
1989 740 GLT
1986 740 GLT
1972 142 Grand Luxe

Red-Arrow
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Post by Red-Arrow »

I like NGK plugs as they always make durable plugs. I just bought 5 OEM plugs made in Germany apparently for $35, is that average?
Life would be enjoyable if it wasn't so painful to live.

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jreed
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Post by jreed »

I like the Bosch FR7DC (aka 7555) in my '97 855 GLT. I had the OEM platinum plugs and found that if I started the car and ran it for less than about 1 minute, it would not start easily the next time due to platinum tip fouling. The copper FR7DCs have not exhibited this problem. I need to regap them about every year or so, so I usually just replace them since they only cost about $2 each.
1997 855 GLT (Light Pressure Turbo) still going strong. Previous: 1986 240 GL rusted out in '06, 1985 Saab 900T rusted out in '95, 1975 Saab 99 rusted out in '95, 1973 Saab 99 rusted out in '94

jblackburn
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Post by jblackburn »

The Bosch Coppers just don't last long enough for me. I was getting misfires after only 20-some,000 miles on my engine, so I decided to go back to the Autolite Platinums I'd run before.

I found that it's very finicky about the gaps with other plugs - I needed to set mine to .026" to keep it from occasionally hiccupping, but now it runs great! The Autolites get me better gas mileage than the Copper's too (and no, it's not my imagination - I drive the same route every day)

My car came with NGK's installed, and ran pretty well with them too. They're good plugs, those are the only kind I use in our Hondas.
'98 S70 T5
2016 Chevy Cruze Premier


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Red-Arrow
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Joined: 26 August 2010
Year and Model: 850 T5 1995
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Post by Red-Arrow »

Copper is a better conductor than platinum but copper is much softer and will deteriorate faster. Platinum is much harder and resistant to pitting and erosion but the spark is less intense by a very small percentage.

Where on Earth do you find plugs for $2 each?
Life would be enjoyable if it wasn't so painful to live.

Dad03
Posts: 44
Joined: 12 October 2010
Year and Model: 1995 850 Turbo
Location: Tennessee

Post by Dad03 »

Autolite Platinum for $2.99. Gap .028. Have had no problems.

Allen in Hemet
Posts: 54
Joined: 2 July 2010
Year and Model: 2000 V70XC SE
Location: Hemet, CA

Post by Allen in Hemet »

I have good luck /experience with Denso E3 plugs. They are pregapped, and the gap is not adjustable on these "Diamond Fire" plugs. I have been using them for the past year/approxamtly 15,000 miles with no missfire issues due to the plugs. R/ Allen

carboncow
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Year and Model: 2003 XC70 2018 S60
Location: Central Ohio

Post by carboncow »

Guys need some input, hopefully I'm not truely hijacking.

What is the gap needs on copper NGKs? I tried the Bosch Platinum Plus (as recommended by FCP) and have had nothing but issues. The local autozone had this NGK listed as I requested a copper only option after reading so many posts.

Do I gap to .028 the same as the Bosch? Or is there something unique for a different plug manufacture?
Shawn F.

2001 V70 T5
2003 XC70
1996 Vw Passat Tdi
1999 Porsche Boxster
2004 Chevy Suburban LT 5.3L
2013 & 2015 S60 T5
2008 Vw Touareg T2 V6

1989 Sea Ray 340 Sundander
2007 Sea Doo Challenger 180 SE

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