Which Spark plugs and when?

Detailed descriptions of how to do things to your Liberty.

Which Spark plugs and when?

Postby teK-- » Sun Aug 02, 2009 12:06 am

Does anyone know for sure which plugs to use and how often to replace them?

In the Owner's Handbook it states that 2.5i non turbo are NGK PFR5B-11 (double platinum) in Europe, and Champion RC10YC4 (copper) for other models.

Presumably we fit into the latter category and are fitted with the Champion copper plugs?

It's confusing because in the Warranty & Service handbook it states "Spark Plugs (Turbo 50,000Kms, 2001-On Turbo, 6 Cyl & 2.5 DOHC 100,000Kms)" Then it ticks the sparkplugs as being needed at intervals 2,3 & 4 (25/50/100Kms respectively). So which interval is for which engine? The 2.5i (SOHC) which is what we have, isn't even mentioned!

Also has anyone changed these plugs themselves and can give an idea of DIY difficulty? Thanks :)

EDIT: The other confusing thing is that the LegacyGT (north American) owners who have a 2.5i non-turbo allude to the fact that they have platinum plugs as stock, that last 60,000MILES (100,000Kms). Going by our owner's handbook, only the European models get the platinum???
MY04 2.5i Safety 5MT Sedan "Project Locomotive"
..: JDM Subaru-AVO-Whiteline-Bilstein-Swift Springs-Cusco-Rallitek-GT Brakes-Remsa-K4RT30Y-Blitz-Philips-Défi-STI-Sabelt-Redline-Alpine-Polk Audio-Kenwood-Dynamat :..
User avatar
teK--
-stickered-
 
Posts: 4060
Joined: Thu Jun 11, 2009 5:02 pm
Location: Melbourne

Re: Which Spark plugs and when?

Postby teK-- » Tue Aug 04, 2009 9:16 pm

Come on has no one ever replaced the spark plugs in their 2.5i? :lol:
MY04 2.5i Safety 5MT Sedan "Project Locomotive"
..: JDM Subaru-AVO-Whiteline-Bilstein-Swift Springs-Cusco-Rallitek-GT Brakes-Remsa-K4RT30Y-Blitz-Philips-Défi-STI-Sabelt-Redline-Alpine-Polk Audio-Kenwood-Dynamat :..
User avatar
teK--
-stickered-
 
Posts: 4060
Joined: Thu Jun 11, 2009 5:02 pm
Location: Melbourne

Re: Which Spark plugs and when?

Postby TristosMaximus » Tue Aug 04, 2009 11:12 pm

It appears not!!!! Lol :D
MY09 2.5i Diamond Grey. SA Plates: LIBERTY. Sti front lip
Planned mods: Carbon grill, carbon rear difuser, lower springs, 18/19" charcol/black rims, set of Phat Quad tips - when the next run is done!!!!!!!
User avatar
TristosMaximus
 
Posts: 53
Joined: Sat Jul 04, 2009 10:39 pm
Location: Adelaide
Car: 09 Liberty 2.5i Plates: LIBERTY
Real name: Tristan

Re: Which Spark plugs and when?

Postby sheppo9 » Wed Aug 05, 2009 8:49 am

What year is yours?
They changed to Platinum's sometime in the 06 model's.

You can put Platinum's in, they last 100k, or change the coppers over every 25k.
Just depends if you could be bothered pulling all the crap out to change the plugs - I couldn't be bothered, and put in Iridiums.
User avatar
sheppo9
 
Posts: 552
Joined: Mon Aug 25, 2008 12:44 pm
Location: ACT
Car: An Outback
Real name: Luke

Re: Which Spark plugs and when?

Postby teK-- » Thu Aug 06, 2009 7:26 pm

Thanks Sheppo, I have an MY04.

Since I am so nice and all, I did lots of reading and can advise you all of the following options for the 2.5i:

1. (basic) BKR5E-11 - NGK Nickel Alloy (AUDM Stock Fitment), NGK recommend that they last 20-40,000Kms. Subaru's schedule recommends they be replaced every 25,000KMS. Approx $4.00 each, widely available.

2. (better) PFR5B-11 - NGK Laser Platinum (EUDM, JDM, USDM Stock Fitment). Both Subaru and NGK recommend that they last 100,000Kms. Repco quoted $29.00 each, special order.

3. (better) BKR5EIX-11 - NGK Iridium IX. NGK recommend that they last 60,000Kms. No recommendation from Subaru as these are an aftermarket option. Buy these from http://www.performancelub.com/NGK%20pricelist.htm for $14.00 each + $11.00 shipping or pay much more at a retail shop.

The use of either Iridium or Platinum is intended to give a stronger spark than nickel alloy due to the ability to manufacture a much smaller tip on the plug, however my reading on the properties of iridium is that it is more resistant than platinum to heat degradation. I conclude that at a later stage of service life (up to the maximum of Iridium at 60,000Kms, the spark should be more consistent instead of dropping off in performance.

If a brand new nickel alloy plug and a brand new iridium or platinum plug were compared there is probably no discernible difference in engine power output, but I am more concerned with durability. The platinums last longer and cost disproportionately more than the iridiums, but it's good practice to check the plugs at least semi-regularly to know the health of the engine rather than leave them in there for 100,000Kms which for some people could be 5 or more years!

I will be using the Iridiums and changing them at 50,000-60,000Kms.

Changing the plug is not that much trouble at all on the 2.5is; it should not be more than bout 30mins or 60mins if going at a leisurely pace. Full thread here:

http://www.legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2564978

Mods: Perhaps sticky this post?
MY04 2.5i Safety 5MT Sedan "Project Locomotive"
..: JDM Subaru-AVO-Whiteline-Bilstein-Swift Springs-Cusco-Rallitek-GT Brakes-Remsa-K4RT30Y-Blitz-Philips-Défi-STI-Sabelt-Redline-Alpine-Polk Audio-Kenwood-Dynamat :..
User avatar
teK--
-stickered-
 
Posts: 4060
Joined: Thu Jun 11, 2009 5:02 pm
Location: Melbourne

Re: Which Spark plugs and when?

Postby Ric » Tue Feb 22, 2011 8:13 am

teK-- wrote:...
Mods: Perhaps sticky this post?

I didn't notice this originally. Someone just reported it to recommend it be stickied. I've just mpoved the post to the " Reference material & Walkthroughs" forum so everyone can find it. :)
User avatar
Ric
Site Admin
 
Posts: 6429
Joined: Fri Oct 06, 2006 11:08 pm
Location: Melbourne
Car: OLD: MY06 3RB Wagon NEW: MY21 Outbck
Real name: Ric
Profile URL: viewtopic.php?f=7&t=12

Re: Which Spark plugs and when?

Postby mihai » Mon Nov 21, 2011 2:29 pm

teK-- wrote:3. (better) BKR5EIX-11 - NGK Iridium IX. NGK recommend that they last 60,000Kms. No recommendation from Subaru as these are an aftermarket option. Buy these from http://www.performancelub.com/NGK%20pricelist.htm for $14.00 each + $11.00 shipping or pay much more at a retail shop.


You can buy these from Repco also, they are about $20 each however you get 20% off if you are an RACV member.
[New: MY11 FPV F6 | Winter White | Pioneer DEX-P99RS | Alpine PDX-F6 | Alpine PDX-M12 | JL Audio 12W7-AE ]
[Old: MY07 2.0R | Urban Grey | 5 MT | 6000k HID | LED | Alpine IVA-W502E | Alpine PDX1.1000 | Alpine PDX4.150 | JL Audio 12W7v3 | Focal KRX2 ]
User avatar
mihai
 
Posts: 1641
Joined: Mon Jun 01, 2009 10:27 pm
Location: Melbourne, VIC
Car: MY07 Liberty 2.0R + MY11 FPV F6
Real name: Michael


Return to Reference material & Walkthroughs

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest