Bosch Platinum +4 Didn't Work For Me

KevinT · 03-19-2003, 07:17 PM

I recently installed Bosch Platinum +4 spark plugs on my Grand Am. I also have the Taylor 8 MM Wires. The car started hesitating at cruising speeds, even in town. It was like it was skipping a cylinder. No problems at idle, or during hard acceleration, and no check engine light (that damn thing comes on for every other stupid problem). It also didn't start the morning after I installed them. I drove it the night I put them in, but that next morning it wouldn't fire up for about 10 minutes. Just kept cranking and cranking. I changed out my EGR valve, because the hesitation only happened after getting up to operating temp, and only at cruising speeds. These are the times that the EGR would be blowing crappy old exhaust gas back into the intake. So, I removed the plugs and put the old ones in, and also put the old EGR valve in. IT WORKS FINE NOW!!! Now I have to return to plugs and the valve, if they'll take 'em back. Has anyone else had a similar experience. I know these plugs are great because I've had them on another car. It just seems like they don't like burning exhaust gas!! Any info???? Thanks....

Craig99SE2 · 03-19-2003, 07:24 PM

A LOT of people on this board have tried them on our cars... They do NOT work well at all! Best bang for the buck is the AC Delco RapidFire $4/piece ones!

BMOBYLE · 03-19-2003, 07:59 PM

The bosches blow. Only a handfull of members have had luck with them but in my op there just above champions. hehe
Naw nothings that bad but I've only seen the bosches work well in Beemers, vdubs and such.

I went with the iridiums(ngk's) and have nothing but praise for them but if you want a lasting plug go with regular old AC platnums.

Rba007 · 03-19-2003, 09:47 PM

I have the bosch's in my 2.4, and they seem to be running great, although I am begining to experience a slightly rough idle (although i have had the plugs for nearly 6 months)

iceman · 03-19-2003, 09:50 PM

Hey Kevin on another note, even if an SES isn't thrown doesn't mean you aren't having misfires.. If you have the opportunity to hook up a code scanner with that setup again (which it looks like you won't ever do again

) then you'll want to check out misfire counts.. There's a certain threshold for misfires before an SES is shown, don't remember off the top of my head exactly what it is.. but that's how it works.

Panacea · 03-20-2003, 12:45 AM

Stick with the stock AC Delco's unless you're modified under the hood (headers, SC, Turbo, whatever).

phantom505 · 03-20-2003, 01:04 AM

I had misfire problems with the Bosch plugs too. At least I got my money back on them.

(See the inside of the larger spark plug box container, the one that holds 4. They have a no questions asked money back garuntee, and they made good on it for me.)

Monello · 03-20-2003, 01:35 AM

They suck!!

Autolites, NGK, AC Delco

Anything else, stay away from =)

Greed4Speed · 03-20-2003, 09:47 AM

Rapidfire, Splitfire, u-groove, v-groove, +4 is all BS for NA engines.

I run bosch in my GA, but they are the regular platinum/single electrode. I have the rapidfires in my Camaro, and they do nothing over the regular copper Autolites I ran before. Save your $4 a pop and buy the $.75 Autolites or $1.50 platinums if you want longer lasting plugs. The rapidfires were free so I can't complain.

Point is. Designer plugs can't make more power because the incoming power is the same. If you want designer plugs might as well get a tornado air for your car too.

Craig99SE2 · 03-20-2003, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Greed4Speed
Rapidfire, Splitfire, u-groove, v-groove, +4 is all BS for NA engines.

I run bosch in my GA, but they are the regular platinum/single electrode. I have the rapidfires in my Camaro, and they do nothing over the regular copper Autolites I ran before. Save your $4 a pop and buy the $.75 Autolites or $1.50 platinums if you want longer lasting plugs. The rapidfires were free so I can't complain.

Point is. Designer plugs can't make more power because the incoming power is the same. If you want designer plugs might as well get a tornado air for your car too.

Ummm ... last I looked, a Rapidfire looks like a standard spark plug with a platinum tip. Not sure how that qualifies as "designer" in the same category as Splitfire and +4 ... not even in the same ballpark!

phantom505 · 03-20-2003, 02:26 PM

Why is there so much enigma about NA? Plugs have a few adjustable parameters. One being temperature. Another being gap. The material may not be as important, except how well it conducts. Anything that conducts will work. How long it lasts is another question. So why would NA vary from any other rig? All you do is adjust the 3 parameters that can be adjusted.

One way to tweak a plug it try to get it combust more effieciently. Which is what splitfires, 4+'s, and all those other claim to do. There might be a bit of proof that they are ever so slightly better, but does it mean anything for real? Probably not.

I have NGK Ir for a reason, they last longer and from what I can tell and operate at a slightly higher temp than Cu. I could be wrong about that, but they don't seem to get quite as bad of a carbon build up on them over the stockers.

Panacea · 03-20-2003, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by phantom505
Why is there so much enigma about NA? Plugs have a few adjustable parameters. One being temperature. Another being gap. The material may not be as important, except how well it conducts. Anything that conducts will work. How long it lasts is another question. So why would NA vary from any other rig? All you do is adjust the 3 parameters that can be adjusted.

One way to tweak a plug it try to get it combust more effieciently. Which is what splitfires, 4+'s, and all those other claim to do. There might be a bit of proof that they are ever so slightly better, but does it mean anything for real? Probably not.

I have NGK Ir for a reason, they last longer and from what I can tell and operate at a slightly higher temp than Cu. I could be wrong about that, but they don't seem to get quite as bad of a carbon build up on them over the stockers.

If I am correct, you run a higher octane gas and also are running more fuel through the system, so I would assume a better plug would give you more igniting power or something like that. Hey, I just know the stock plugs are great, as for the other stuff that's what i've heard.

KevinT · 03-20-2003, 03:56 PM

Thanks for all the info! I called AutoZone and they're going to refund me for the plugs. They're a great bunch of folks. It also saves me from waiting 6 weeks for Bosch to get it back to me. Now I just have to convince the dealer to take back this $110 EGR that I don't need. I might try to sell it on Ebay if all else fails. From now on, I'm sticking with the stock plugs. As weird as that sounds, they really seem like the best for my GA.

Greed4Speed · 03-20-2003, 06:01 PM

Rapidfires do not have platinum and they have an electrode that is star shaped. That is why they are clumped with the other designer plugs.

OneQuickGT1 · 03-20-2003, 06:25 PM

Just put Rapid Fire #14s in last week and it said Plat. on the box...hmmm...

Panacea · 03-20-2003, 06:55 PM

Perhaps there are two different versions of Rapidfires...

VaGT · 03-20-2003, 07:00 PM

I wouldn't say Bosch sucks, they just don't work well with our engines. I know a few people who have them in other cars, and love them.

Greed4Speed · 03-21-2003, 07:32 AM

I'm one of them VA. Just get the regular bosch's and their good to go. Why would a German plug not work but a Jap plug (NGK) will???
I guess rapidfires are making plat plugs now. They still cost more than they are worth and are a gimmick.

Panacea · 03-21-2003, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Greed4Speed
Why would a German plug not work but a Jap plug (NGK) will???

Probably something with the design. It's not because it's "German" it's just the way the plug is designed.

Dr_Kyle · 03-21-2003, 01:26 PM

I have always used NGK's when I change plugs. I have the NGK TR55's right now and they're awesome. I had the TR6's for my nitrous and those were awesome too. Nothin but praise for them

03-19-2003, 07:24 PM	#2
Craig99SE2 Mr. Know It All AKA: Craig Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Commerce Twp., MI Age: 48 Posts: 1,349 Vehicle: 1999 Grand Am SE Coupe	A LOT of people on this board have tried them on our cars... They do NOT work well at all! Best bang for the buck is the AC Delco RapidFire $4/piece ones! __________________ Project 13-Second NA GASE - 1999 Grand Am SE - RSM Heads,UIM,LIM,62mm TB,AFE Filter,RSM WAI,TOGs,DynoMax Hi-Flo Cat,SLP,DynoMax,ASE Chip,Mobil 1,Accel DIS,Taylor Wires,Denso Iridium,Hyper Ground,FFP Pulley,B&M SuperCooler,RedLine D4 ATF,Poly Drivetrain Mounts - Estimated 250HP ... Dyno Charts Soon!

03-19-2003, 07:59 PM	#3
BMOBYLE Grease Monkey Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: drexel hill Age: 44 Posts: 659 Vehicle: 99GAGTBLACKmodded!	The bosches blow. Only a handfull of members have had luck with them but in my op there just above champions. hehe Naw nothings that bad but I've only seen the bosches work well in Beemers, vdubs and such. I went with the iridiums(ngk's) and have nothing but praise for them but if you want a lasting plug go with regular old AC platnums. __________________ GM's love me ASE Certified!!! My N-Body I'll see ya with my tools F-FACE!

03-19-2003, 09:47 PM	#4
Rba007 GAGT Oldie AKA: Dave Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: N. Muskegon MI Age: 38 Posts: 2,444 Vehicle: 04 Grand Prix GT	I have the bosch's in my 2.4, and they seem to be running great, although I am begining to experience a slightly rough idle (although i have had the plugs for nearly 6 months) __________________ Dave's Sexy Ride "Sul3LiME883: i'm drunk tho. i'd throw myself at a penis right now, i bet." "When you step over the line, your nuts are mine" "ArcticSun GT: u do smell dave, smell like awesomeness"

03-19-2003, 09:50 PM	#5
iceman woop woop AKA: Seth Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ Age: 41 Posts: 10,528 Vehicle: 97 Blazer - 84 Fiero	Hey Kevin on another note, even if an SES isn't thrown doesn't mean you aren't having misfires.. If you have the opportunity to hook up a code scanner with that setup again (which it looks like you won't ever do again ) then you'll want to check out misfire counts.. There's a certain threshold for misfires before an SES is shown, don't remember off the top of my head exactly what it is.. but that's how it works. __________________ --Seth Support GrandAmGT.com sponsors! My Picture Gallery \| GoneDragRacing.com Drag Racing Photos & Videos

03-20-2003, 01:04 AM	#7
phantom505 GAGTurbo Owner Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Heltonville, IN Age: 41 Posts: 1,576 Vehicle: '02 GAGT	I had misfire problems with the Bosch plugs too. At least I got my money back on them. (See the inside of the larger spark plug box container, the one that holds 4. They have a no questions asked money back garuntee, and they made good on it for me.) __________________ It's ugly, and turbocharged! 264 HP and 284 ft/lbs at the wheels(@9psi), power curve like none other! And the transaxle to make it all work!

03-19-2003, 07:17 PM	#1
KevinT Kevinem Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Salisbury, NC Age: 44 Posts: 47 Vehicle: RED 2000 Grand Am SE	Bosch Platinum +4 Didn't Work For Me I recently installed Bosch Platinum +4 spark plugs on my Grand Am. I also have the Taylor 8 MM Wires. The car started hesitating at cruising speeds, even in town. It was like it was skipping a cylinder. No problems at idle, or during hard acceleration, and no check engine light (that damn thing comes on for every other stupid problem). It also didn't start the morning after I installed them. I drove it the night I put them in, but that next morning it wouldn't fire up for about 10 minutes. Just kept cranking and cranking. I changed out my EGR valve, because the hesitation only happened after getting up to operating temp, and only at cruising speeds. These are the times that the EGR would be blowing crappy old exhaust gas back into the intake. So, I removed the plugs and put the old ones in, and also put the old EGR valve in. IT WORKS FINE NOW!!! Now I have to return to plugs and the valve, if they'll take 'em back. Has anyone else had a similar experience. I know these plugs are great because I've had them on another car. It just seems like they don't like burning exhaust gas!! Any info???? Thanks....

03-20-2003, 12:45 AM	#6
Panacea Mmmm Donuts. AKA: Macleod52 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Rock Island, IL Age: 40 Posts: 3,160 Vehicle: '09 Malibu LTZ	Stick with the stock AC Delco's unless you're modified under the hood (headers, SC, Turbo, whatever).

03-20-2003, 01:35 AM	#8
Monello Boost Bro Power Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Chicago! Age: 37 Posts: 357 Vehicle: 02 Trans Am	They suck!! Autolites, NGK, AC Delco Anything else, stay away from =) __________________ 2002 Pontiac Trans Am WS-6 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP

03-20-2003, 09:47 AM	#9
Greed4Speed Duke of Duct Tape Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: FTW, TX Age: 49 Posts: 1,021 Vehicle: 2001 Grand Am GT sedan	Rapidfire, Splitfire, u-groove, v-groove, +4 is all BS for NA engines. I run bosch in my GA, but they are the regular platinum/single electrode. I have the rapidfires in my Camaro, and they do nothing over the regular copper Autolites I ran before. Save your $4 a pop and buy the $.75 Autolites or $1.50 platinums if you want longer lasting plugs. The rapidfires were free so I can't complain. Point is. Designer plugs can't make more power because the incoming power is the same. If you want designer plugs might as well get a tornado air for your car too. __________________ I like Cobras, they taste like chicken. 01 GAGT1 w/156k miles 00 Camaro SS - AKA Rogue.

03-20-2003, 02:26 PM	#11
phantom505 GAGTurbo Owner Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Heltonville, IN Age: 41 Posts: 1,576 Vehicle: '02 GAGT	Why is there so much enigma about NA? Plugs have a few adjustable parameters. One being temperature. Another being gap. The material may not be as important, except how well it conducts. Anything that conducts will work. How long it lasts is another question. So why would NA vary from any other rig? All you do is adjust the 3 parameters that can be adjusted. One way to tweak a plug it try to get it combust more effieciently. Which is what splitfires, 4+'s, and all those other claim to do. There might be a bit of proof that they are ever so slightly better, but does it mean anything for real? Probably not. I have NGK Ir for a reason, they last longer and from what I can tell and operate at a slightly higher temp than Cu. I could be wrong about that, but they don't seem to get quite as bad of a carbon build up on them over the stockers. __________________ It's ugly, and turbocharged! 264 HP and 284 ft/lbs at the wheels(@9psi), power curve like none other! And the transaxle to make it all work!

03-20-2003, 03:56 PM	#13
KevinT Kevinem Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Salisbury, NC Age: 44 Posts: 47 Vehicle: RED 2000 Grand Am SE	Thanks for all the info! I called AutoZone and they're going to refund me for the plugs. They're a great bunch of folks. It also saves me from waiting 6 weeks for Bosch to get it back to me. Now I just have to convince the dealer to take back this $110 EGR that I don't need. I might try to sell it on Ebay if all else fails. From now on, I'm sticking with the stock plugs. As weird as that sounds, they really seem like the best for my GA.

03-20-2003, 06:01 PM	#14
Greed4Speed Duke of Duct Tape Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: FTW, TX Age: 49 Posts: 1,021 Vehicle: 2001 Grand Am GT sedan	Rapidfires do not have platinum and they have an electrode that is star shaped. That is why they are clumped with the other designer plugs. __________________ I like Cobras, they taste like chicken. 01 GAGT1 w/156k miles 00 Camaro SS - AKA Rogue.

03-20-2003, 06:25 PM	#15
OneQuickGT1 Detailing Fanatic AKA: Brett Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Homer Glen, Illinois Age: 40 Posts: 416 Vehicle: 2004 GTO	Just put Rapid Fire #14s in last week and it said Plat. on the box...hmmm...

03-20-2003, 06:55 PM	#16
Panacea Mmmm Donuts. AKA: Macleod52 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Rock Island, IL Age: 40 Posts: 3,160 Vehicle: '09 Malibu LTZ	Perhaps there are two different versions of Rapidfires...

03-20-2003, 07:00 PM	#17
VaGT Go Steelers! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Woodbridge, Va Age: 44 Posts: 842 Vehicle: 2001 Grand Am GT1	I wouldn't say Bosch sucks, they just don't work well with our engines. I know a few people who have them in other cars, and love them. __________________ 2001 Grand Am GT1 75th Anniversary Edition Purchased new 6/14/01

03-21-2003, 07:32 AM	#18
Greed4Speed Duke of Duct Tape Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: FTW, TX Age: 49 Posts: 1,021 Vehicle: 2001 Grand Am GT sedan	I'm one of them VA. Just get the regular bosch's and their good to go. Why would a German plug not work but a Jap plug (NGK) will??? I guess rapidfires are making plat plugs now. They still cost more than they are worth and are a gimmick. __________________ I like Cobras, they taste like chicken. 01 GAGT1 w/156k miles 00 Camaro SS - AKA Rogue.

03-21-2003, 01:26 PM	#20
Dr_Kyle Better Than Ever AKA: Doctor Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Orlando, FL Age: 40 Posts: 2,116 Vehicle: 2000 Grand Am GT1	I have always used NGK's when I change plugs. I have the NGK TR55's right now and they're awesome. I had the TR6's for my nitrous and those were awesome too. Nothin but praise for them __________________ Looking for Performance Parts? Click Here to check out Doctor Speed! Best ET: 14.664 @ 94.82 MPH Doctor Speed - Grand Am Performance Parts My Cardomain Page

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