NGK BKR6E

[BoSNiaN]

Anyone running them? I was told they are better than the iridums because they run a step colder but now I realize that only matters of you are running a tune which I am not?

Anyway, I ask because there is some hesitation when I start the thing cold now...It had the stock Bosch's in there, gapped @ 0.025" and I was told to gap these @ 0.030" which they were already from the factory so I just dropped them in....

It's weird because it only happens 50% of the time, but it never did before (have to use the starter longer and it "builds" to start, takes 1-2 seconds still but). It does feel like it starts stronger as well, but the cold start idle has dropped from 1200rpm to 800rpm now.

Is there something wrong or is that normal behavior for coppers?

[BoSNiaN]

Stock plugs pulled out @ 111,000KM, think they are the originals?

[yungcotter]

Well I have the iridium version and those and noticed extended cranking times since its gotten colder( into the 30's F). What is the temperature there now. if i remember in the spark plug diy by stokes if you live in a cooler climate stay at the stock heat range.

[yungcotter]

Well I have the iridium version and those and noticed extended cranking times since its gotten colder( into the 30's F). What is the temperature there now. if i remember in the spark plug diy by stokes if you live in a cooler climate stay at the stock heat range.

[B7PhiGam]

I am running them as of 55k tune up. Stage 1 APR tune. When its really cold, there is still a hesitation, but the car drives great. Noticeable difference? I dont think so.

[BoSNiaN]

I am running them as of 55k tune up. Stage 1 APR tune. When its really cold, there is still a hesitation, but the car drives great. Noticeable difference? I dont think so.

Where you running stock Bosch ones before? Did you not notice hesitation difference? I was hoping this would minimize starting issues in the winter and it does seem to start stronger, but at the same time it is hesitating so I am not sure what will happen when temps drop to 0 and below

[B7PhiGam]

Cold is still cold, plug dont warm up cylinder walls/rings/all the good stuff any quicker. I have noticed it kicks faster without giving it any fuel. They were like 4-6 bucks at my local NAPA so not really an issue not to get them.

[Dj_QuiK]

arent bkr6e's still in the stock heat range?? the bkr7e's are the ones a step colder.

[kristokes]

Good read: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...lacement-Guide

[Hugh@EuropaParts]

^^^ This

[BoSNiaN]

Good read: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...lacement-Guide

Slightly contradictory with the plug thread I read....

@NGK PFR6Q (OEM Platinum), are you sure these are OEM? I pulled Bosch's out and I think those are from the factory (even labeled with "VW")

[CorneliusRox]

I am just about to buy plugs and all I have is a tune, so....

lets get to the bottom of this before I go spend money!

[Mister W]

I remember that on the GIAC site, they said to keep original temp range even chipped. They said also that the tune was made for original gap and temp range.
Like others, i changed them for BKR7E on my Jetta and A4. Now i'm thinking of putting back stock ones, i feel like the car is not idling to his best, without having misfires, it doesn't purr and vibe right in my bottom.

[CorneliusRox]

good to know. Maybe I'll keep it stock then. Been waiting on an answer from Vast but that was over a month ago when I asked

[Sprode]

Unless you're having problems, keep your plugs where they are.

[ringmaster2.0]

Unless you're having problems, keep your plugs where they are.

Agree with this

[jimrobbington]

I stepped up to the bkr7e and really like them. It's below freezing today, and no difference in start up. It definately runs smoother, and it did feel like an upgrade.

I think I gapped at 28. Maybe 30 was too big a gap?

JR

[A4-Wookie]

Read the spark plug sticky in the tech section..

"Well it depends on what you mean by stock but coming straight from the factory, our OEM spark plugs are actually UNDER-GAPPED at 0.027". Since OEM spark plugs were made for longevity (~50k+ miles), they were set at a lower gap because the gap will eventually get bigger through time and wear on the electrodes.

IMHO from personal experience, I believe a 0.032" gap is optimal for our cars." - Kristokes

[Sprode]

I stepped up to the bkr7e and really like them. It's below freezing today, and no difference in start up. It definately runs smoother, and it did feel like an upgrade.

I think I gapped at 28. Maybe 30 was too big a gap?

JR

Pulling down the gap can definitely help rough idle or small misfires. May not have to do with the heat range.

[p1nk50ck]

From the Tech Section:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...te-for-B7-A4-s

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...lacement-Guide

[p1nk50ck]

I am just about to buy plugs and all I have is a tune, so....

lets get to the bottom of this before I go spend money!

i picked up the NGK copper's from Amazon for $1.99 each, but they're not running that sale anymore :( i should have bought more when i had the chance. they're still less than 4 bucks each on amazon.

i'm still trying to find a time/place where i can get some work done to the car. actually, i guess i could just do the plugs when i get home in my parking garage.

[grassrootz]

Read the spark plug sticky in the tech section..

"Well it depends on what you mean by stock but coming straight from the factory, our OEM spark plugs are actually UNDER-GAPPED at 0.027". Since OEM spark plugs were made for longevity (~50k+ miles), they were set at a lower gap because the gap will eventually get bigger through time and wear on the electrodes.

IMHO from personal experience, I believe a 0.032" gap is optimal for our cars." - Kristokes

^^this. .032" gap fires perfectly. I ran these on my car for exactly 1 month before I forgot to remind the dealer not to pull the plugs. And they miraculously lost 4 brand spanking new plugs in 1 hr. Car never ran smoother. .028" gapping will eventually run out to around .032". Stokes' gap is correct as the plugs will gap out further as they age.

[Sprode]

i picked up the NGK copper's from Amazon for $1.99 each, but they're not running that sale anymore :( i should have bought more when i had the chance. they're still less than 4 bucks each on amazon.

i'm still trying to find a time/place where i can get some work done to the car. actually, i guess i could just do the plugs when i get home in my parking garage.

Plugs are super easy, and there are only 4. just make sure you chekc the gap before they go in.

[p1nk50ck]

Plugs are super easy, and there are only 4. just make sure you chekc the gap before they go in.

yeah, the ones i got are gapped at .028, i was going to do .032

i just have a few other things i wanted to do (wastegate adjustment, oil change, and a few other small things, so i wanted a better place to do all of it at once)

[GAIC Husky]

I installed NGK BKR7EIX (step colder) with a gap of 0.032 about a month ago (roughly 800 miles) and the car has been running great. No problems with start up even as it has gotten colder out and it will idle like it did with stock plugs.

[CorneliusRox]

I installed NGK BKR7EIX (step colder) with a gap of 0.032 about a month ago (roughly 800 miles) and the car has been running great. No problems with start up even as it has gotten colder out and it will idle like it did with stock plugs.

any performance change?

[BoSNiaN]

I installed NGK BKR7EIX (step colder) with a gap of 0.032 about a month ago (roughly 800 miles) and the car has been running great. No problems with start up even as it has gotten colder out and it will idle like it did with stock plugs.

Sorry, but based on how its starting @ 0.030" gap, I couldn't imagine running it at 0.032"....I should have run then @ 0.025 but I am too lazy to pull them out again now

Could it be related to the fact that I am stock? Although I still don't get how even having a big turbo would would allow you to run bigger gaps comfortably because you would most likely still be using stock ignition components like I do...

[grassrootz]

any performance change?

I did that gapping. You feel it when the car is under load. ie. flooring in 6th. Its a bit quicker to bring on power versus that slow build up.

[CorneliusRox]

I did that gapping. You feel it when the car is under load. ie. flooring in 6th. Its a bit quicker to bring on power versus that slow build up.

you're just talking about gapping it to .032 or switching to the plugs a step colder?

[GAIC Husky]

any performance change?

I did have a slight performance change but I would expect that anytime you change out old plugs. I never had any problems with my old plugs but I just changed them because I hit 30k miles. To say it is better performance than if I replaced them with stock plugs, I don't know. The car does run great and the pull at the top end does feel much smoother. I got all 4 plugs for $30 shipped so it was definitely worth the money and peace of mind.

[Sprode]

Sorry, but based on how its starting @ 0.030" gap, I couldn't imagine running it at 0.032"....I should have run then @ 0.025 but I am too lazy to pull them out again now

Could it be related to the fact that I am stock? Although I still don't get how even having a big turbo would would allow you to run bigger gaps comfortably because you would most likely still be using stock ignition components like I do...

Bigger turbo=smaller gaps.

[BoSNiaN]

Bigger turbo=smaller gaps.

Huh? Don't you mean the opposite?

[Sprode]

Huh? Don't you mean the opposite?

No. http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/techinf...on.asp#gapping

[p1nk50ck]

Just a note, i made a mistake with my post earlier. i got the NGK BKR7E copper, which are 1 step colder, not the BKR6E copper which are for OEM.

just wanted to point that out for some readers who might have gotten confused like i did.

[p1nk50ck]

Installed the BKR7E (NGK Copper 1 step colder) yesterday. Not a noticeable difference in power (not that i was really expecting any), but the car no longer hesitates when starting in cold weather (it used to crank for a few seconds before starting). It's also perhaps a tad smoother when idling.

Overall, not sure if i want to stick with copper, or go with iridium. perhaps, I'll switch to iridium after my next oil change, and see if i notice any difference.

[jimrobbington]

Installed the BKR7E (NGK Copper 1 step colder) yesterday. Not a noticeable difference in power (not that i was really expecting any), but the car no longer hesitates when starting in cold weather (it used to crank for a few seconds before starting). It's also perhaps a tad smoother when idling.

Overall, not sure if i want to stick with copper, or go with iridium. perhaps, I'll switch to iridium after my next oil change, and see if i notice any difference.

I also switched to the copper bkr7e and immediately noticed an improvement. Definately sticking with them. Have you messed with the mbc yet?

JR

[p1nk50ck]

I also switched to the copper bkr7e and immediately noticed an improvement. Definately sticking with them. Have you messed with the mbc yet?

JR

i still haven't gotten the one from my friend. i think i might just order one online, because i'm getting sick of waiting. they're only 30 bucks

[BoSNiaN]

Installed the BKR7E (NGK Copper 1 step colder) yesterday. Not a noticeable difference in power (not that i was really expecting any), but the car no longer hesitates when starting in cold weather (it used to crank for a few seconds before starting). It's also perhaps a tad smoother when idling.

Overall, not sure if i want to stick with copper, or go with iridium. perhaps, I'll switch to iridium after my next oil change, and see if i notice any difference.

Are you chipped? I will be going back to iridiums next oil change just because I don't want to keep switching them out every 5,000...Although I got them for $17 shipped, stock Bosch's are $16 each at the dealer

Gonna have to find some NGKs that last as long as the Bosch's...


@rough starts, it seems to have cleared up...is it possible that after freshly changed plugs, you will start up rough for a day or 2? Now my starts are as clean as ever and more powerful

[p1nk50ck]

Are you chipped? I will be going back to iridiums next oil change just because I don't want to keep switching them out every 5,000...Although I got them for $17 shipped, stock Bosch's are $16 each at the dealer

Gonna have to find some NGKs that last as long as the Bosch's...


@rough starts, it seems to have cleared up...is it possible that after freshly changed plugs, you will start up rough for a day or 2? Now my starts are as clean as ever and more powerful

yup, i'm APR Stage II+ on the 93 octane tune. i mean, who knows, my car's been peppier, but it's also been a lot colder