Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: dbdb on 09 April 2013, 18:46:56

Title: spark plugs
Post by: dbdb on 09 April 2013, 18:46:56
Just changed the plugs on my 2.6 V6 :).  The old ones were NGK R BKR6EQUP. 
(http://i1321.photobucket.com/albums/u546/dbdbx/th_sparkplug_zps176c94ce.jpg?t=1365528602)
Does that mean they were not the originals?  They looked well worn (centre electrode flush with insulation cone) car has only done 73K so I was expecting them to be originals.   
Possibly they were changed at the 4th service, 47K but they look like they've done more than 26K don't they? Maybe they were changed at 12K, service book says a 40K service was done then.  Looking at them I wouldn't have wanted to leave those in any longer. 

The OOF guide was excellent http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90536.msg1155385#msg1155385
 (http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90536.msg1155385#msg1155385) for some reason I didn't need to undo the troublesome plug with the wire spring (pic 10).  I thought about not splitting the long plastic cable cover (pic 11) but it wasn't too difficult and made everything much easier, in fact its probably not possible without doing that.  Much easier than my 2.5V6 plugs were. However I did a 2l Honda Accord last year and that was 5 minutes, would have been less if I was in a hurry :o.
Title: Re: spark plugs
Post by: Andy B on 09 April 2013, 18:52:11
...
Does that mean they were not the originals?   ...

Originals would've been OE/GM  ;) ;)
Title: Re: spark plugs
Post by: tunnie on 09 April 2013, 20:05:27
Yup GM badged ones would be original, think quad's are OTT in the Omega.

Standard GM twins are fine and I usually change them every 2 years or so
Title: Re: spark plugs
Post by: dbug on 09 April 2013, 20:06:05
NGK R BKR6EQUP centre electrode should be flush with insulator - like it when new

(http://c1552172.r72.cf0.rackcdn.com/141074_x800.jpg)
Title: Re: spark plugs
Post by: TheBoy on 09 April 2013, 21:38:32
OE would be badged either GM or Bosch.

On a related note:
In my 3.2, which is supposed to take the quad electrode plugs, I use twins. The only reason for the quads is to double service life to 80k, but in reality, they tend to come loose at around 40k anyway.  Although I probably don't get 40k from the twins, I use them because a) its the same as the 3.0l I own, thus only need 1 spare set of plugs here, b) its LPG, thus need a good spark, with minimal shielding.

Which reminds me, the 3.0l plugs have been in 34k, maybe I should check them. Nah. job for the summer ;D
Title: Re: spark plugs
Post by: dbdb on 09 April 2013, 22:07:46
NGK R BKR6EQUP centre electrode should be flush with insulator - like it when new
Thanks I had forgotten that must be getting old http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=41759.msg1315838#msg1315838 (http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=41759.msg1315838#msg1315838)
Title: Re: spark plugs
Post by: Gaffers on 09 April 2013, 22:42:42
Judging by the colour I'd say that cyl is running rich.  Are they all like that?
Title: Re: spark plugs
Post by: dbdb on 09 April 2013, 23:49:46
Judging by the colour I'd say that cyl is running rich.  Are they all like that?
There're all the same, first thing I checked.  The pic shows the insulator in a bit of shadow it is actually lighter than that in real life.  There's no black on the insulator tip, don't know why it shows black in the pic, it's actually silvery grey.  Also the prongs are all light browny grey.  The only black in on the rim. They looked OK to me see http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/tech_support/spark_plugs/faqs/faqread.asp (http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/tech_support/spark_plugs/faqs/faqread.asp)
Title: Re: spark plugs
Post by: dbdb on 10 April 2013, 00:04:54
actually now I look at them closely and compare them with these
(http://i1006.photobucket.com/albums/af181/astclair2/Omega/Plug-1.jpg)
 http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=41759.0 (http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=41759.0)
especially the prong ends and the lack of deposits I'm wondering if I changed them a bit early.
Title: Re: spark plugs
Post by: 05omegav6 on 10 April 2013, 01:05:26
Personally I use GM quads, and change them every 20k along with the air and pollen filter :y
Title: Re: spark plugs
Post by: dbdb on 10 April 2013, 23:02:39
Personally I use GM quads, and change them every 20k along with the air and pollen filter :y
Yes thats what I've just put in.  Centre electrode extends a sensible amount beyond the insulation unlike the NGKs. Supposedly alright for 80K. 

I can see a long change interval is needed for the pre facelift v6 given what a pain they were to change but now they are easier I will change them before 40K.  Al what do yours look like at 20k?

Air and pollen filter are nice and easy but I wouldn't want to repeate the plug change every 20K.  I lost two plastic clips this time and I can see other stuff breaking/getting disconected not to mention dirt in the cylinders  and in the engine (I forgot to mention a suggested  addition to the guide - stuff clean rags in the oil filler hole after removing the cooling tower or you'll get foreign material in the engine).
Title: Re: spark plugs
Post by: 05omegav6 on 11 April 2013, 00:46:44
Used  ::)

Due a mahoosived service soon, so shall take pics of them :y takes me about 20mins to change all six :y

Ok maybe half an hour, but far from the worst job on these :y
Title: Re: spark plugs
Post by: Kevin Wood on 11 April 2013, 11:57:50
GM Quads will breeze to 40K and still look just "used". They will probably come loose without much more use, as said, so I tend to change them with every cam belt.