dhewitt Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Last time I changed the plugs on our Outback, I used some platinum plugs (I forget what brand). The MPG dropped a good bit and two Soob dealers in the area recommended avoiding platinum plugs and going back to regular ones. So we picked up regular NGKs and MPG picked back up. It's time for another change and I wanted to see what brands and types people have had good success with on the ej25 in our outback. I looked at online dealer for parts and they listed the OEM as platinum (no brand specified), which seemed odd given the dealer recommendations. People out there have preferences? The choices seem endless - copper, iridium, platinum. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subie Gal Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 OEM is all I use on my Subaru's OE plugs are NGK's and there is nothing wrong with the OE NGK platinums.... Jamie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 SUbarus are not fancy engines, they are just plain simple folk, and like thier plugs plain and simple. NGK's, and you do know you did answer your own question nipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barassa Posted March 30, 2008 Share Posted March 30, 2008 Do the platinum NGK's have any advantage? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickb21 Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 I've used the NGK G-power's (plat) and V-groove (copper) and couldn't really notice a difference. I believe you could go a longer service interval with the platinums... Both types don't cost very much plug (unlike the iridium/lasers). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forester2002s Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 Don't forget that there are 'single-platinum' plugs (with platinum only on the centre-electrode), and 'double-platinum' plugs (with all-platinum electrodes). And that with Subaru's shared firing pattern, a 'single-platinum' plug will theoretically last longer in cylinder #1 than in cylinder #2. Or is it the other way around? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 IN theory the waste spark system is hard on plugs, but in actuality, they can last 100K. V plugs or any plugs that have multiple electrodes are a waste of money, unless they are on sale. Electricty finds the path of least resistance, and once it makes that jump, it doesnt move around. Interestingly its usually always the same spot too. nipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhewitt Posted April 2, 2008 Author Share Posted April 2, 2008 Alrighty then... went with the NGK G-Power single-tipped platinums. Thanks all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhewitt Posted April 17, 2008 Author Share Posted April 17, 2008 Following up on a comment earlier in this thread about plug life. The service supplement to the owner's manual says that plugs should be replaced at 30K miles on all engines other than the 3.0 Turbo. Platinum NGKs are listed as original equipment and that's what I put in. But I thought platinums were supposed to last longer than that. Any advice on the replacement interval? For completeness, dealing here with NGK G-power single-tipped platinum in an '03 4-cyl Outback. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster2 Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 I bought a Subie 99 OBW a little over a year ago. It had almost 150K miles on the odo. I am certain the car had the original plug wires and plugs in it since new. It actually still ran pretty well, but I still changed the plugs and wires. The original plugs had their electrodes worn way down, so they were giant gapped with no hint of oiling. Just shows you Subie makes good motors, if we don't talk about HG issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aircraft engineer Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 Yeah - did the sister's 97 IMP 2.2 with "ordinary" NGKs - interesting thing was that the plugs that came OUT were gapped at about .080 or so, car had 160k and I would guess that these plugs had 100k of that on them to be that worn - almost all center electrode, BTW. Still "ran" but the new plugs brought the MPG up by 1.5 to 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screwbaru2 Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 Personally I do a major tuneup every 2 years just before emissions testing. I drive over 600 miles per week that's over 80,000 miles on the plugs I check my MPG at every fillup it is always 25-26 MPG. Always use OEM parts. My 2 cents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aircraft engineer Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 I bought a Subie 99 OBW a little over a year ago. It had almost 150K miles on the odo. I am certain the car had the original plug wires and plugs in it since new. It actually still ran pretty well, but I still changed the plugs and wires. The original plugs had their electrodes worn way down, so they were giant gapped with no hint of oiling. Just shows you Subie makes good motors, if we don't talk about HG issues. and if they went to 10 bolt heads they probably wouldn't blow either. (but it would mean a bit of redesign because of the water jacket and manifolding needing changed to put in the 4 extra bolts) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 i tend to do a tuneup every 100,000 miles. i do replace the filters as needed and a pcv valve once a year. nipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhewitt Posted April 18, 2008 Author Share Posted April 18, 2008 huh, interesting. odd that Soob would underestimate the plug life so much. our Toyota van says don't even bother them until 100K, but they're iridium, so a whole different story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 huh, interesting. odd that Soob would underestimate the plug life so much. our Toyota van says don't even bother them until 100K, but they're iridium, so a whole different story. I think its just subaru hedging thier bets to meet emission code. Spark plugs are replacable and allowed to be replaced at what ever interval the mfg states. nipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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