Those of you running copper NGK BKR7E spark plugs... when do you replace them?

[[email protected]]

This is my first set of NGK's and the car runs great.

After reading some threads I thought the change interval should be the same as when I change my oil (5000 miles) but when I checked the plugs then they were hardly worn.

Now it is almost 10,000 miles and I just checked the plugs and the V-groove is still nicely visible and there is a bit or wear but nothing that I would say warrant replacement.

Now I know these plugs are cheap but when should they be replaced? I was planning on doing so when the V-Groove is only 1/3rd remaining.

BTW I gapped the plugs 0.030" when new and now they are around 0.032"

[dagmz6s]

About 4,000 miles, they are cheap enough to change that often so I dont wait.

[B6driver]

just replace them... better sure than sorry.. the potential risk of problems vastly outweighs the cost of the plugs

[bimmerkilla1.8t]

yea id just replace them, you wont have to worry about it for another 10k.

[[email protected]]

yea id just replace them, you wont have to worry about it for another 10k.

You have a good point there.

If it takes 10k to wear then just replace them and forget for another 10k instead of having to check from now on.

[A4Shizl]

these plugs should be repalaced every 5K. its on you if you keep them in any longer.

[[email protected]]

Replaced even though they show no signs of wear at the 5k mark? Or am I missing something here?

[JBM]

replace them when I replace my oil.

[AudiA4_20T]

hmmm I get your point man, if its not broke dont fix it... But I guess its more of a preventative measure also. But hey, if you check your plugs alot and you take them out when they look worn enough then why not?

[20vturbo]

if you gaped at .30 and now they are at .32 that is wear..You could probably regap and keep using..copper is not as hard as platinum so everytime the it fires the spark eats the cooper...It may not be visible but the wear it's there

[Capt. Obvious]

I vote 10k.

[jcs4]

I change them at every oil change (5000 miles)..there only like 10 bucks. Ive done that procedure with all my turbo cars in the past (300zx, Mr2, Eclipses).

[Entertainment72]

3500 miles

[Stevelev]

Every 5k miles - going with the plats (7eix) next time and will probably keep them in for 12-15k

[Capt. Obvious]

3500 miles

Seriously? Why? Do you really think they only last 3500 miles? Why don't you just change them everytime you fill up with gas while you're at it?

[F16HTON]

Seriously? Why? Do you really think they only last 3500 miles? Why don't you just change them everytime you fill up with gas while you're at it?

Eric runs the REVO GTRS, it is a very good idea to chnage copper plugs every 3500 on this setup...

I run the Bosch FR5DTC and I replace mine about once every other month or so...

I am kinda old school and like to read my plugs however.

[CO AVANT]

I've fouled BKR7E's within a couple hundred miles of using them. Cold weather plus the car sitting in the garage for weeks on end without starting doesn't help though...

[Tinman]

replace them everytime you change your oil. approx. 5k.

L8

[BoneStock1.8t]

sorry to thread jack, but what do you mean by "gap" .30? also can spark plugs be the cause of rough idling?

TIA

Danny

[DenverNoob]

spark plugs, if gapped improperly, certainly can cause a rough idle.

gap is the space between the center electrode (the part that protrudes from the middle of the plug) and the ground electrode (the hook that goes from the threaded sides over the center electrode).

Audi specfies that gap can range anywhere from .28-.32mm, .32mm being the max. there are tools used to measure this gap, and the NGK plugs in question come pre-gapped at .28mm. copper plugs wear more than platinum, and as they do so their gap widens.

i had some rough idle issues when the gap in my plugs extended beyond .32mm (audi's recommended max).

if you use platinum or iridium plugs...you will not have the same issues with widening gap as the copper plugs (at least not as frequently...more like every 50-100k miles instead of 5k miles).

[A4ringedONE8T]

I change mine every month (about 800-1k miles) for 8 bucks why worry about them being fouled or worn out!

[BoneStock1.8t]

so sorry... i'm a fuxing noob with this car... i recently changed out my sparks to copper (NGK 6's)... i'm assuming this tool i can measure out the gap can be found at a local autozone? sorry for the thread jack again...

TIA

Danny

[[email protected]]

I change mine every month (about 800-1k miles) for 8 bucks why worry about them being fouled or worn out!

Well $8.00US = $1 million Canadian Pesos

But do you have a spark plug monkey to change plugs every 1000 miles? Mine hardly looked even used at 5000 miles but I am running a lowly K04.

[DenverNoob]

so sorry... i'm a fuxing noob with this car... i recently changed out my sparks to copper (NGK 6's)... i'm assuming this tool i can measure out the gap can be found at a local autozone? sorry for the thread jack again...

TIA

Danny

there are a couple of types...one is a graduated circular tool (look like a coin)...DO NOT USE THAT ONE (the one i had was off by .02mm...enough to make a difference when initially gappin at .32....or in that case .34 unbeknownst to me)...and there is a wire-type tool that looks kind of like a mini allen wrench folding set. they are $5, and just go to autozone or whatever...but they come in different incriments for metric...just make sure you have .28, .30, .32 and you will be all set!

[A4ringedONE8T]

Well $8.00US = $1 million Canadian Pesos

But do you have a spark plug monkey to change plugs every 1000 miles? Mine hardly looked even used at 5000 miles but I am running a lowly K04.

My last ones were in there about 4 weeks, looked like shit cause I had two coilpacks go out in the first week with the new turbo!

[Sydeshow MO]

You know what... I need to change mine. LOL... they have been in for about 15K now.

When you get down to it, dont forget to read em'. They can tell you alot.

[Capt. Obvious]

I changed mine this weekend. Good thing I did too! Ever since I bought my car 6 months ago I've thought it felt sluggish. The second I removed a spark plug I figured out why!

I'm pretty sure that when I put the copper plugs in this weekend was the first time the plugs had ever been changed (my car has almost 60k)! I should have taken a pic of how worn down they were. The electrode was just a little pointy nub!

[chris@penskeaudi]

i replace them about every 5k at every oil change