difficult to find the right plugs

[nofuss]

ok my mechanic did a tune up. changed fluids plugs and filters, since then i cannot get my boat on plane.
2000 Regal 2760 with twin Merc 4.3EFI throttle body injection.

kept trying different things and could not find an issue. including computer tuning the timing etc.

and i was just about able to get on plane before. as with a full load i had to send couple ppl into the cabin to plane

I made a decision to start over and do the same tune up, to see if i can find an issue somewhere.
then i realize that he changed out my NGK plugs for a champion "equivalent"
problem is i dont think i could find the correct NGK plugs here in Trinidad, since the cars here that carry this "general" engine use a slightly hotter plug.
The recommended plug for my engine is BPR6EFS and im only finding BPR5EFS
the 5 instead of the 6 indication one point hotter.

my thought is that with the size of my "radiator" being salt water cooled, i should not run too much of a risk of running hot, and since as far as i know i have standard compression, the hotter plug should not be an issue.
if anything it might actually help me squeeze the couple more horse power i need to get on plane.

any thoughts of if this could cause serious problems, or if its a crazy decision.

let me know what u guys think.

no Fuss

 

[Don S]

Re: difficult to find the right plugs

Get the proper NGK or AC spark plugs for you engine, and confirm that the firing order is correct.
That is probably all that is needed to fix your problem.

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: difficult to find the right plugs

Unless you have a bad new plug,I doubt that changing the brand of plug is causing the problem.Warm the engine up and check the compression.

 

[Don S]

Re: difficult to find the right plugs

Unless you have a bad new plug,I doubt that changing the brand of plug is causing the problem.Warm the engine up and check the compression.

Since he had champion plugs installed by the dealer, and that's when the problem started, along with my experience with those lawn mower plugs I would say he has a very good chance of changing the plugs and it running right.

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: difficult to find the right plugs

What we don't know is why was the boat tuned up in the first place.Just for PM? I doubt it.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: difficult to find the right plugs

What we don't know is why was the boat tuned up in the first place.Just for PM? I doubt it.

"2000 Regal 2760 " at 13 years old, and he's changed plugs in it once before, I don't doubt it.

Of course we all know it propbably didn't need new spark plugs (they last a LONG time).

 

[nofuss]

Re: difficult to find the right plugs

What we don't know is why was the boat tuned up in the first place.Just for PM? I doubt it.

the instruction to the mechanic was to change all fluids and filters as a PM.
There were no issues with the performance before.
I just rather to do the PMs and not have problems in the future.
the mechanic knowing the way i usually do things thought that with such a PM it would be better to change spark plugs at the same time. and since like me he could not find the right plug locally went to the champion equivalent.

I had planned to do a manifold inspection in a couple months and would have imported the correct plugs with the manifold gaskets. and that would have been a much better time to change the plugs. But i did not tell him that.

I still am unable to find the correct plug locally, and quite a few local mechanics, even the local agent for the plugs is telling me that the hotter plug will work, only the life of the plug will be reduced, since i dont leave them in till they go bad that will not be a problem.

Is there any reason that anyone on here would give me why i should not try the hotter plug. its the 6 instead of the 6 which is one point hotter. i am advised that all the cars locally that carry the same basic engine use the 5 or even 4 as OEM standard.

thanks for all the help so far.
No Fuss

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: difficult to find the right plugs

I can't see you doing any harm to the engine trying the hotter plug.Of course I would still recommend using the correct plug.

 

[achris]

Re: difficult to find the right plugs

Why not get them from here

NGK Spark Plugs BPR6EFS NGK Standard Spark Plugs

They shipped to Australia, I'm sure T&T wouldn't be any problem...

Chris......

 

[nofuss]

Re: difficult to find the right plugs

Thanks all,

I will actually order the correct plugs, i will get them right here on iboats and have them reshipped to me in trinidad.
however since this will take a little while and i want to use the boat this sunday, I will have the mechanic install the hotter plugs and see how they work.
from further research i am told that with the hotter plugs i should get much better cold starts, after being parked up for a couple weeks and should see a cleaner fuel burn, and possible a slight improvement in low speed throttle response with the only negative being that the plug life would be reduced.
since i try to change them out once a year, this would be no problem at all. and any little i get when getting on plane would be a super bonus.

will report on performance after running this weekend

thanks again
No Fuss

 

[CraigBarnard]

Re: difficult to find the right plugs

Since he had champion plugs installed by the dealer, and that's when the problem started, along with my experience with those lawn mower plugs I would say he has a very good chance of changing the plugs and it running right.

I was just about to make a similar comment about champion spark plugs.
Those things are only good for lawnmowers and dodges, lol.

Certain engines just prefer a certain make of plug.

 

[nofuss]

Re: difficult to find the right plugs

ok first sorry for taking so long to come back with this information, but carnival time in trinidad is a big distraction LOL

i changed plugs and the boat was on plane without even using the trim tabs. so it must be something about the champion plugs that does not seem to work out too well.

before the plug change we confirmed that all the firing order etc was correct to ensure that the only difference was the plug change.

thanks for all the input.

Pernell

 

[Don S]

Re: difficult to find the right plugs

Thank you for once again proving Champion plug aren't.