|
Post by Aurora40 on Mar 20, 2005 9:57:03 GMT -6
NGK is made by AC Delco, so I am not to worried about that. And Iridium is a step up from Plats. If you have some documention of that, please post it up. But I beleive that is totally untrue. I think what you are thinking of is that the ACDelco iridium plugs are actually made by (and patented by) Denso. So you could buy Denso plugs if the price works out, since it is the same as the ACDelco part. But this is only true of the iridium ACDelcos. NGK's are not the same. Edit: what the heck? The board doesn't like the word "d o c u m e n t a t i o n"? Edit Edit: Oh....
|
|
|
Post by JimW on Mar 20, 2005 10:27:35 GMT -6
No I dont have documentation of this "fact". In fact, I recall reading a post about NGK and AC Delco plugs in a thread on Bonnevilleclub.com we were discussing plugs and which ones are to be used to replace/upgrade when the time came.
If I am wrong then fine, find me documentation that proves they aren't instead of some sarcastic dialogue about what this accepts as fact.
|
|
|
Post by JimW on Mar 20, 2005 10:37:18 GMT -6
|
|
|
Post by Aurora40 on Mar 20, 2005 10:43:11 GMT -6
If I am wrong then fine, find me documentation that proves they aren't instead of some sarcastic dialogue about what this accepts as fact. What was sarcastic about that? You said ACDelco makes NGK parts. NGK is a japanese company, totally independent of ACDelco. They aren't just rebranded ACDelco parts. I doubt I'll find anything saying that they are two independent companies, as why would anyone write that up? I will however try to get you info on ACDelco iridium spark plugs actually coming from Denso. I suspect if I pull one of my plugs, it will in fact say "Denso" on it...
|
|
|
Post by Aurora40 on Mar 20, 2005 10:48:55 GMT -6
|
|
|
Post by Aurora40 on Mar 20, 2005 12:34:48 GMT -6
Here is my freshly removed OEM spark plug: My camera was about to die, hence the fairly crappy picture. I'm going to clean off the coil pack as it has had some staining on it since about new that I couldn't remove. Hopefully the camera will charge up a bit and I'll make a quick how-to change spark plugs for the new car. Edit: updated the picture
|
|
|
Post by Letitroll98 on Mar 20, 2005 13:28:23 GMT -6
I love this board. What the heck is Iridium? Well, I happen to have a metalurgical chemist as a GF so this answer is easily at hand for me. Quoting as web site: "Iridium is a precious metal that is 6 times harder and 8 times stronger than platinum, it has a 1,200=F higher melting point than platinum and conducts electricity better. The primary iridium plug manufacturers at this time are Denso with a 0.4mm center electrode and NGK with a 0.7mm center electrode. Both are the best performance plugs on the market for traditional automotive use and many racing applications." Here's a link to a technical paper for those interested in the research and development: www.sparkplugs.com/pdfs/iri.pdfIn short, iridium is alloyed with rodium to form a thinner electrode wire (0.7mm vs 1.0mm for platinium plugs). Thinner wire results in better spark performance. The iridium alloy also gives better wear results than platinum. Again quoting the web site: "Platinum is a very expensive precious metal, a $2 platinum spark plug will not have much platinum in it, and therefore will not last as long as a $12 platinum spark plug. Some platinum plugs have only the center electrode tipped with platinum, while others have both the center and ground electrodes platinum tipped." Although roduim is a zillion times more expensive than platinum, only a small percentage is used in the alloy. Iridium is much rarer than platinum, but the demand is lower, thus the lower price for iridium plugs. A cool site that provided the above info for me: www.sparkplugs.com/results_app.asp?productTypeID=1&AAIA=1305357Old dogs do learn new tricks.
|
|
|
Post by Aurora40 on Mar 20, 2005 14:51:18 GMT -6
Some platinum plugs have only the center electrode tipped with platinum, while others have both the center and ground electrodes platinum tipped. This is why when you use most non-OEM platinum plugs on a GM with waste spark, the platinum plug will only last about 10,000 miles or so. Only one side is platinumed, thus only one side is protected. I'm not sure if this would be a problem with iridium plugs. Only the electrode is plated. It looked like my plug had a small pad on it, though. But my car does not have waste spark so it won't matter for me. This might be something to look into on a waste-spark car like the classic, though. Interesting you mention platinum and rodium, as I believe both are also used in catalytic convertors...
|
|
|
Post by JimW on Mar 21, 2005 11:31:00 GMT -6
I took the car in today for the tire installation as well as the new plugs/wires. They called me up to inform me that 2 of my spark plug boots were cracked and saturated with oil. So apparently I need this $169 part that replaces the plug boots and some cover thing...I didnt have time to hear out the entire explanation, but the long of the short of it...I dont want oil saturated plugs and wires. Its pretty labour intensive as well. Anyone else experienced this? Heh...while I was talkin to the service manager another diamond white Classic pulls up...the manager groans...oh man, another Aurora...its gonna be one helluva day Most shops don't like working on these cars. Oh and she's HEMI powered too...lol, take that Chrysler, our Northstars have Hemi chambers...(as do a lot of engines)....just kinda found that interesting. Edit: Went to take a look at lunch time, its labour intensive indeed. The mechanic told me that when he pulled the wire cover off, the chamber inside the valve cover was soaked in oil They cleaned it all out, he put the head back on, and now it working on the backside. The front end of my car is in pieces over there. They hope to have it all done by 5pm today.
|
|
|
Post by Letitroll98 on Mar 21, 2005 12:30:43 GMT -6
Yes, platinum and rhodium are in cats. Platinum, palladium, and gold are all "noble" metals that don't normally bond with other chemicals, so they are used as a base to support the catalysts in our cars, as well as things like manufacturing Nutri Sweet. She's not at her desk right now so the use of the rhodium is a mystery at present.
B4 moving over to pharmaceuticals division some years ago, she was in the precious metals division that made catalysts. They would run new cars for 20, 30, and 40k test cycles, then sell them at employee auctions for way below market value. A car with 40k mileage that had never seen the road, really weird.
Iridium is all from outer space, deposited in the K-T boundary from the asteroid collision 65 million years ago. There are also trace amounts at the P-T boundary 260 million years ago. The implications of both deposits are hotly debated among paleontologists and geologists.
I may be way off here, but isn’t the boot included with the spark plug wires? Is there an additional part to install?
|
|
|
Post by stevensolds on Mar 21, 2005 12:32:50 GMT -6
I know, most shops dont like workign on these cars, you are right. jim i hope everything goes OK and its not too hard on the wallet (usually is with the aurora : Let us know how it works out.
|
|
|
Post by JimW on Mar 21, 2005 14:34:17 GMT -6
Yes, the boot on the plug wire was cracked and the cavity was filled with oil. How that happens I dunno, I was hoping one of the experts there could fill me in.
|
|
|
Post by Aurora40 on Mar 21, 2005 14:46:31 GMT -6
Only way oil could be there is someone spilled it while filling the engine, possibly the valve cover is leaking in some weird way, or a plug wasn't tightend up properly, which would have resulted in some pretty bad burning of it (and I suppose of the valve cover and gasket possibly causing a leak?).
They removed the head? I can't understand what would be accomplished by that.
The chamber inside the valve cover *should* be soaked in oil... This is where the cams and everything get lubricated. That chamber is the cylinder head.
|
|
|
Post by JimW on Mar 21, 2005 14:52:08 GMT -6
The head was not removed, sorry about the confusion, the valve cover was removed.
|
|
|
Post by Aurora40 on Mar 21, 2005 15:19:44 GMT -6
Oh and she's HEMI powered too...lol, take that Chrysler, our Northstars have Hemi chambers...(as do a lot of engines)....just kinda found that interesting. Again, nothing personal intended, but I don't believe this is true either. Most engines actually have pent-roof heads. A hemi head would be pretty hard to do with 4 valves, as they'd be very splayed out. I'm pretty sure the Northstar is a pent-head engine, as are basically all (can't think of any that aren't) GM engines.
|
|
|
Post by skeeter on Mar 21, 2005 16:25:22 GMT -6
Let us know what the damage to the wallet is and what parts needed replaced. The plugs I removed read AC Delco 41-429. Their must be an O iring inside the valve cover around the plug channel
|
|
|
Post by JimW on Mar 21, 2005 21:52:17 GMT -6
Damage = $875 CDN
4 tires, 4 rims mount, balance, install, plugs, wires (install only), valve cover gasket job, plus 6.5 units (hrs) of labour total.
All is forgiven once you get in and drive. It purrs like a kitten, and the new tires are SO nice.
Good to be back on chrome 17's too
|
|
|
Post by stevensolds on Mar 21, 2005 22:15:21 GMT -6
new plugs and wires feel any better jim? thats a lot of dough, but it couldve been worse i think.
|
|
|
Post by bLACk AurOrA on Mar 22, 2005 0:38:46 GMT -6
i need to try n clean rhe EGR valve or replace it. the rack and pinion steering, windshield, power antenea. be4 that. im getting a flowmaster
|
|
|
Post by SupaStealth on Mar 22, 2005 9:29:51 GMT -6
at least you have your priorities
|
|
scottydl
Super Moderator
There's nothin' like an American V-8...
Posts: 7,373
Staff Member
|
Post by scottydl on Mar 24, 2005 9:59:27 GMT -6
Iridium is all from outer space, deposited in the K-T boundary from the asteroid collision 65 million years ago. There are also trace amounts at the P-T boundary 260 million years ago. The implications of both deposits are hotly debated among paleontologists and geologists. Now that is wacky. Some cosmic event occurs, and we end up building spark plugs out of the materials left behind, LOL!! (For the record, I don't believe that 65 million years old stuff, but that's another debate/thread. )
|
|
|
Post by oldsauroraman1 on Mar 24, 2005 22:12:58 GMT -6
Well, its nearing the 2nd week of March, and hopefully the weather will soon be improving. I have a few items on my "Aurora to-do" list. 1. Plugs/wires: I just purchased 8 NGK Iridium plugs and a set of Niehoff wires. 2. Transmission servicing 3. Oil Change 4. Steering lubrication 5. Coolant system check/Fuel line conditioning/TB cleaner 6. Rims/tires installation 7. Full interior detailing and bustin out my new tan mats Jim: Where did you find the mats? Are they OEM?
|
|
|
Post by stevensolds on Mar 24, 2005 22:34:30 GMT -6
i wish i could find the Aurora Logo embroidered mats (factory style 1998). I wont buy any other mats unless i can get those. My mats right now are so shot, i cant even begin to tell you. They are actually tearing.
|
|
|
Post by oldsauroraman1 on Mar 24, 2005 22:39:14 GMT -6
Just bought a set through the local GM Dealership here Steve. They are OEM and have the "A" embroidered on the front mats.
I believe the color of my carpet & mats is Dark Neutral. The whole set part number is: 88987375 for that color.
I also picked up the rubber/vinyl mats at GM Parts Direct in the same color for spring/winter use. We get a lot of mud in rural PA! Don't want to trash my new mats!
|
|
|
Post by oldsauroraman1 on Mar 24, 2005 22:51:54 GMT -6
The list here for "Spring" started in December and that was 30 days after I obtained my 98 White Diamond Aurora. The process has continued over the last few months with the following:
4 Tires: Michelin Hydro Edge - These are AWESOME! Plugs/Wires - All GM OEM New Mats - OEM Carpet and Vinyl 12 Disc CD Changer - Today and in the next few weeks the trunk modifications from GM to make it all OEM. Cleaned/Conditioned All Leather and Vinyl Contemplating a high quality wax for that to be applied in the next few weeks. Fuel Filter - hopefully it will come off!
WHY is it that after 5,000 miles it seems like I have only driven this car for 50?
|
|
|
Post by JimW on Mar 25, 2005 1:17:53 GMT -6
I got my tan mats from a friend of mine, he bought them for his tan interior Bonneville, before he rolled it. They are not factory, but they are really plush mats. I also have more durable low pile/rubber base mats to go onto on wet days. In the winter, she is outfitted with uber hawt VW mats Sounds like yer car is comin along nicely AuroraMan, well done! I'm getting great results from the NGK/Niehoff combo so far, well...so far so good. And the BFG Scorchers are awesome....255's is the way to go!...you get a very neat road sound as well, a low hum comes from the tires when I ease of the go-fast pedal
|
|
|
Post by SupaStealth on Mar 25, 2005 20:01:39 GMT -6
when i checked at the dealership the whole set of 4 was ony around 50 bucks for the factory mats.
|
|
|
Post by oldsauroraman1 on Mar 25, 2005 20:21:04 GMT -6
I got my tan mats from a friend of mine, he bought them for his tan interior Bonneville, before he rolled it. They are not factory, but they are really plush mats. I also have more durable low pile/rubber base mats to go onto on wet days. In the winter, she is outfitted with uber hawt VW mats Sounds like yer car is comin along nicely AuroraMan, well done! I'm getting great results from the NGK/Niehoff combo so far, well...so far so good. And the BFG Scorchers are awesome....255's is the way to go!...you get a very neat road sound as well, a low hum comes from the tires when I ease of the go-fast pedal Thanks Jim. It is well worth it and "no time like the present" for obtaining Aurora parts. The 12 disc CD player is great and works really nice. This way you don't have to lug a bunch of CD's in your console and can save that room for cassettes or whatever. My Aurora had the cable run already for the changer. All that I had to do to make it work was connect the cable. Getting the mounting bracket and trunk panels in the next couple weeks.
|
|
|
Post by oldsauroraman1 on Mar 25, 2005 20:23:44 GMT -6
Speaking of clean-up. What's the best wax you guys have found and like to use?
|
|
|
Post by bLACk AurOrA on Mar 25, 2005 21:06:57 GMT -6
steven. if your looking for some mats for cheap. try a junkyard. i seen black mats w/ an oldsmobile logo on 1 around here. i woulda took it but when i opened the glove box a liquid substance of oil, pop, candy, water, spilt all over. i dunno if they will be good or not but its worth a shot
|
|