Alright 3.0 guys, let's talk spark plugs and coil packs

[SlickFix]

I've just finished reading this thread from the 1.8 guys, discussing which spark plug/coil pack combo works the best. It was a very interesting thread, but nothing was said about the 3.0.

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on a new set of spark plugs, and I thought that it might be time to upgrade the coil packs while I'm in there. Right now I'm running stock coil packs and NGK PFR6U11G Platinum plugs. If we can run upgraded coil packs, I was thinking of trying the NGK BKR6EIX11 Iridium plugs.

Does anyone know whether R8 coil packs are compatible with the 3.0 AVK engine? Are there any other options?

[SJorge3442]

I've just finished reading this thread from the 1.8 guys, discussing which spark plug/coil pack combo works the best. It was a very interesting thread, but nothing was said about the 3.0.

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on a new set of spark plugs, and I thought that it might be time to upgrade the coil packs while I'm in there. Right now I'm running stock coil packs and NGK PFR6U11G Platinum plugs. If we can run upgraded coil packs, I was thinking of trying the NGK BKR6EIX11 Iridium plugs.

Does anyone know whether R8 coil packs are compatible with the 3.0 AVK engine? Are there any other options?

I think the R8 coil packs should be compatible. As far as plugs, I cant help you there. I run the BRK6E Coppers and I swap them every 10K (I regap at my 5K oil change). I interested in hearing what everyone has to say. I will probably be upgrading my coils soon since God only knows how old they are.

[john_gonzo]

I use NGK BKR6EIX11 Iridiums with stock coils. Checking my records for this thread, I see I have 43k on the plugs.

This also reminded me of all the other stuff about due (trans filter/fluid change, brake fluid change, etc.). Thanks. Thanks a lot SF.

[jaydeff]

Glad you made this thread Slick, I was thinking about replacing my coil packs and plugs a few weeks ago and was also thinking about upgrading to R8s. I'm sure the coil packs will work but the only issue I was worried about was if the connectors will be able to reach the taller coil because it will sit up higher. They seem like they might not have enough room to make it but I'm not sure. I'm also clueless about what plugs to run.

[ionicswing]

I'm interested as well, but for the ignorant as my self, what potential benefit would a R8 coilpack provide?

[MikTip]

Well one one you 3.0L drivers pull the trigger on a set of R8 coils and be the test mule. Then report back here with ya findings!

[SlickFix]

I'm interested as well, but for the ignorant as my self, what potential benefit would a R8 coilpack provide?

From what I can tell from my initial research, the R8 plugs allow more spark and a bigger gap(.40?). I'm not really sure if this creates improved detonation or a smoother idle. But the 1.8 guys love them. Hopefully one of the bored 1.8 guys running R8 coils will see this thread and jump in to educate us.

I know the PO had some of the coil packs changed around 2009, but not all. For all I know, some could still be original.

[SJorge3442]

I'm interested as well, but for the ignorant as my self, what potential benefit would a R8 coilpack provide?

They are supposed to provide less resistance resulting in a brighter spark.

[SlickFix]

I'm sure the coil packs will work but the only issue I was worried about was if the connectors will be able to reach the taller coil because it will sit up higher. They seem like they might not have enough room to make it but I'm not sure.

That's a very good point, jaydeff. I don't recall having any extra length on the ignition wiring harness. Wouldn't that be an unfortunate surprise!

[Charles.waite]

The R8/FSI coils sit about 1/2 to an inch higher. I can't imagine it would cause any problems with teh 3.0 coil pack harness. Worst case you just ditch the screws holding the harness to the Valve cover. Those are pretty useless anyway...

[ionicswing]

would that gap (coil/valve cover) result in any vibration problems? such as engine torque movement, over time.

[imnuts]

They're taller than the 1.8T coils but are the 1.8 and 3.0 coils different sizes? The R8 coils may be the same height as the 3.0 coils.

As for plus, I'm on the stock NGKs and swap them every 40k.

Sent from my Moto X

[Spike00513]

I use whatever is OEM-specified. I think it's those NGK PFR6U11G platinum plugs you mentioned, that are supposed to last 40-80k miles. I did a calculation to compare the cost of much-cheaper-per-plug coppers, versus the OEM platinum. Turns out they cost about the same, the only difference being you have to rip apart the engine every 2 weeks to change the coppers (exageration) because they require changing every 5k miles (this is the general consensus, I hear using them longer results in poor engine performance and misfires). Whereas with the platinums, you install them, and forget about it for the next 5 years...

Not only do I like not working on the car, but I don't imagine the constant torque stress applied to the female threads of the cylinder head (IE: spark plug holes) is good for it, and I don't want to do a heli-coil or time-sert repair there, especially if I don't need to. Nor do I want the shavings that come with such a thing, to fall onto the piston top...

I'm not sure what coil-packs I have. I had the coil-pack recall done last year, where the dealer (for free) put new updated ones in, to replace the old recalled coils that caused the car to run poorly.

I am curious to know if there is any benefit to running other model coil-packs on this car.

Sjorge, why re-gap every 5k mi? I would guess that if our engines ran on diesel fuel, which explodes (unlike gasoline, which ignites and combusts), the pressure/force would put the plugs out of gap over time. Should we all re-gap plugs every so often? Damn, I just put mine back in...

Well one one you 3.0L drivers pull the trigger on a set of R8 coils and be the test mule. Then report back here with ya findings!

Man that be like 2 hunnit dollaz right thur! Aint no joke!

From what I can tell from my initial research, the R8 plugs allow more spark and a bigger gap(.40?). I'm not really sure if this creates improved detonation or a smoother idle. But the 1.8 guys love them. Hopefully one of the bored 1.8 guys running R8 coils will see this thread and jump in to educate us.

I know the PO had some of the coil packs changed around 2009, but not all. For all I know, some could still be original.

[ionicswing]

How ironic, went to town, got cylinder 4 & 3 misfires -_-

Looks like I may be the test dummy

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[SlickFix]

How ironic, went to town, got cylinder 4 & 3 misfires -_-

Looks like I may be the test dummy

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

I think I will join you. If nothing else, perhaps we'll get better mileage out of the R8 coil packs and Iridium plugs.

[ionicswing]

Seeing that my car has 135K now, and no idea if they've ever been changed. It might be time!

Linky to the correct coil pack?

Or is there any difference with the V8 and the v10 coils of the r8?

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[SlickFix]

I think this link is the cheapest.

[SJorge3442]

I use whatever is OEM-specified. I think it's those NGK PFR6U11G platinum plugs you mentioned, that are supposed to last 40-80k miles. I did a calculation to compare the cost of much-cheaper-per-plug coppers, versus the OEM platinum. Turns out they cost about the same, the only difference being you have to rip apart the engine every 2 weeks to change the coppers (exageration) because they require changing every 5k miles (this is the general consensus, I hear using them longer results in poor engine performance and misfires). Whereas with the platinums, you install them, and forget about it for the next 5 years...

Not only do I like not working on the car, but I don't imagine the constant torque stress applied to the female threads of the cylinder head (IE: spark plug holes) is good for it, and I don't want to do a heli-coil or time-sert repair there, especially if I don't need to. Nor do I want the shavings that come with such a thing, to fall onto the piston top...

I'm not sure what coil-packs I have. I had the coil-pack recall done last year, where the dealer (for free) put new updated ones in, to replace the old recalled coils that caused the car to run poorly.

I am curious to know if there is any benefit to running other model coil-packs on this car.

Sjorge, why re-gap every 5k mi? I would guess that if our engines ran on diesel fuel, which explodes (unlike gasoline, which ignites and combusts), the pressure/force would put the plugs out of gap over time. Should we all re-gap plugs every so often? Damn, I just put mine back in...



Man that be like 2 hunnit dollaz right thur! Aint no joke!

Spike, I regap them at 5K because thats when I change oil. It literally takes me an additional 5-10 minutes and I do it while the oil is draining. They look their gap a little bit, but I just like to snug them down. I have ran 10K without regapping with no serious problems, but the car certainly runs better with the proper gap.

In regards to hurting the threads, there is nothing to worry about if you know what your doing. I for one like pulling the plugs regularly to see how the engine is running. The plugs tell a lot about the engine, so I'd rather catch something (IE headgasket) well before it becomes a massive problem.

[ionicswing]

what about spark plugs, what are the general consensus on that?

and doing a quick search, all I'm seeing in reference to multiple mis fires, are basically pcv, in which i just did a test on that the other day. Had good suction at the oil fill cap. also I cleared codes and same codes reappear, and its misfiring on a constant basis. You guys think that its possible for it to just crap out all of a sudden?

[jaydeff]

If you go to the specials tab on GAP they're listed at $17.50 a piece here.

What would the difference be between the iridium plugs and the OEM platinum ones? I don't know much about spark plugs.. After googling real quick it looks like iridiums are better and cheaper?

[ionicswing]

I see NGK says .044 gap with the iridiums, would you suggest this or something else, since going with the r8 coils

[SlickFix]

I see NGK says .044 gap with the iridiums, would you suggest this or something else, since going with the r8 coils

Dunno, where did you see that? The 1.8 guys have been gapping their iridiums to .40, if I recall correctly.

[ionicswing]

Went to NGK site, put in Audi a4 3.0, gave a list of their available plugs. Where all of them seemed to be .044

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[SJorge3442]

Went to NGK site, put in Audi a4 3.0, gave a list of their available plugs. Where all of them seemed to be .044

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

I've tested gaps between .032-.044 and i feel that around .040 my car seems to run best. Iridimums cannot be gapped so you are SOL with gapping those yourself.

[Charles.waite]

I've tested gaps between .032-.044 and i feel that around .040 my car seems to run best. Iridimums cannot be gapped so you are SOL with gapping those yourself.

You absolutely can gap them. You just can't use the coin-style gappers as levering against the thin electrode will damage it.

[Audi 4 Life]

Everything you guys need to know for the 3.0 is right here....

http://audirevolution.net/forum/index.php?topic=106.0

/end thread

[ionicswing]

after reading a little more, i believe the plugs may be pre-gapped to .044

[SJorge3442]

You absolutely can gap them. You just can't use the coin-style gappers as levering against the thin electrode will damage it.

Hmm. Never gapped iridiums. I thought you weren't allowed to stick things in there

[junxing]

The last time I did plugs, I put in OEM platinums with the RS4 coil pack (07K905715F) because I found them <$20 on Amazon. I cut the boots off the old coil pack and fitted them to the FSI coil pack so dirt doesn't go down the spark plug hole, and you won't be able to screw the coil pack harness back to the valve cover, but I've never had a problem with the coil pack coming loose. (It's been over 10k miles).

I noticed a difference in the smoothness of the engine, but since I replaced plugs at the same time I can't say it was due to the coil packs. Maybe R8 coil packs are different.

[jaydeff]

The last time I did plugs, I put in OEM platinums with the RS4 coil pack (07K905715F) because I found them <$20 on Amazon. I cut the boots off the old coil pack and fitted them to the FSI coil pack so dirt doesn't go down the spark plug hole, and you won't be able to screw the coil pack harness back to the valve cover, but I've never had a problem with the coil pack coming loose. (It's been over 10k miles).

I noticed a difference in the smoothness of the engine, but since I replaced plugs at the same time I can't say it was due to the coil packs. Maybe R8 coil packs are different.

Awesome thanks for sharing this! I guess I'm going to get R8 coil packs and OEM platinum plugs to put in with my upcoming oil change.

[SlickFix]

Everything you guys need to know for the 3.0 is right here....

http://audirevolution.net/forum/index.php?topic=106.0

/end thread

Thanks for posting this very interesting thread. Lots of useful information, although I could do without the anti-Audizine patronizing attitude of the AR "experts".

[thaifoodninja]

I've gone around 10k on a set of the NGK iridiums and think it might be time to replace them for a new set. Generally they come pre gapped and you shouldn't touch the tip (just the tip) but I always use my gap tool to verify that they're set properly. I found one that got bent in the box, and was able to exchange it for a new one at advance auto. We'll see what the ol' butt dyno has to say.

[SJorge3442]

Thanks for posting this very interesting thread. Lots of useful information, although I could do without the anti-Audizine patronizing attitude of the AR "experts".

Yeah those guys over there are pretty bitter about AZ. However, there are a TON of 3.0 guys there. getting a response takes some time sometimes though since the traffic to that site is much less than this site.

[ionicswing]

well, coil packs ordered.

went with EuropaParts, I've dealt with them before and there was only a dollar difference.

also plan on picking up the NGK iridium IX from advance sometime tonight.

[Charles.waite]

Hmm. Never gapped iridiums. I thought you weren't allowed to stick things in there

It just has to be really small...

I've only used the kind of gapper that levers against the ground strap, not the kind that pry up from the electrode.

The last time I did plugs, I put in OEM platinums with the RS4 coil pack (07K905715F) because I found them <$20 on Amazon. I cut the boots off the old coil pack and fitted them to the FSI coil pack so dirt doesn't go down the spark plug hole, and you won't be able to screw the coil pack harness back to the valve cover, but I've never had a problem with the coil pack coming loose. (It's been over 10k miles).

I noticed a difference in the smoothness of the engine, but since I replaced plugs at the same time I can't say it was due to the coil packs. Maybe R8 coil packs are different.

I currently run those exact coils in my b6 and b7 (as well as in my old b7) and haven't had one fail ever in about 2 1/2 years in the b6 running a .044" gap. In the b7 I also ran those coils with a .044" gap without issue though I returned to using oem plugs in order to diagnose an issue that turned out to be the clutch switch.

In any event, I highly recommend the 07K905715F coils. Not a single failure in 3 cars over about 40k miles

[SJorge3442]

coincidence? I just got this email from ECS today. Either their email marketing guys are awesome, or they know we are all thinking about upgrading. Either way, bravo ECS.

http://www.ecstuning.com/marketing/A...onServiceKits/

[Charles.waite]

coincidence? I just got this email from ECS today. Either their email marketing guys are awesome, or they know we are all thinking about upgrading. Either way, bravo ECS.

http://www.ecstuning.com/marketing/A...onServiceKits/

Holy hell! $255 for 6 sub-$20 coil packs and 6 $8 spark plugs??

[ionicswing]

+1

i just spent $131 on the R8 coils @Europa

it boggles my mind that the coil packs for an R8, Audi's super car, are cheaper than the stock.

[jaydeff]

coincidence? I just got this email from ECS today. Either their email marketing guys are awesome, or they know we are all thinking about upgrading. Either way, bravo ECS.

http://www.ecstuning.com/marketing/A...onServiceKits/

Got that same e-mail haha I'd much rather spend $100 less on better coils and the same plugs elsewhere.

[SlickFix]

coincidence? I just got this email from ECS today. Either their email marketing guys are awesome, or they know we are all thinking about upgrading.

They probably have software that crawls across the various forums and looks for "hot topic" threads, and then markets by that. It's no accident, I assure you.