Spark plugs

[bluedevil]

My Mercury 125hp 2 stroke recommends NGK spark plugs and I searched all over town and nobody had the ones I needed(NGK BPZ8H-N-10). I ended up buying the equivalent in the Champion brand.
I was just curious on what brands everyone has had good luck with or bad luck with. Has anyone ever had any problems with using a different brand than what the manufacter recommends?
This winter I could'nt keep NGK's in my quad for more than 2 weeks without fouling. I switched to Champion's and have'nt had a problem yet.

[PoleHolder]

Heh, over 20 years of selling parts and most of the time I've heard that champions foul out in any atv/motorcycle/snowmobile/etc. especially if its a Japanese made product. For the most part, a plug is a plug, it creates a spark within manufacturer set specifications (providing the given spark plug is used in the proper application). But, like motor oil, ask 10 guys what brand they prefer and you will usually get 10 different opinions. Pretty much, if the part meets the manufacturers spec., and its a known brand, you should be good to go. I will say that it seems some brands of plugs do work/last better in some applications than another brand. So use the champions and assess how they work in your engine, just remember to account for any unusual operation conditions (cold water trolling, etc.) before you condemn a plug for fouling, I've seen many cases of that type of thing leading people to blame a part for failure.

[ESOX]

I have had no problems using Champions instead of the NGK's in my Merc. 90. Even trolling all day they have shown no tendency to foul etc. Poleholder brought up oil, which is a different issue to my mill. Any plug will foul if I don't use Quicksilver Premieum.

[STEINFISHSKI]

I second what ESOX said. My mechanic told me they can put TC3W in dog crap and sell it as approved rated oil. Since I switched to only QS Premium I have had great luck with no fouling plugs.

[greg531]

I heard that Bosch Plugs tend to break their insulators, and Champions tend to foul out, in two strokes....I try to use A.C. Delco, and Auto Lite. NGK's are expenive, and I try to buy plugs that are orginal equipment to the motor

[PoleHolder]

Using the OE recommended part is never a bad idea, since many times the part is engineered and tested specifically for that application. When I referred to oil brands, I meant crankcase oil, not 2 cycle oil. My point was that you will get many different opinions, and many times the reason someone will not use a specific brand of spark plug is due to reasons like greg531 stated.
As far as fouling goes, sometimes when you switch brand, i.e. champion, you may need to go "one hotter" on the heat range chart. Going up one range hotter for extended idling (trolling) and/or cold weather use is accepted practice. You do need to be aware that this is not the same plug you are going to run in hot weather/ extended high throttle use. Many times a plug manufacturer will make one part number cover a broader heat range to save on sku's. Personally, I think this is the case with Champions in 2 stroke applications, most times if you move one range hotter on the champion due to fouling (oil mixture is correct) it will solve the problem.

[bluedevil]

Poleholder,

My primary use for my boat is trolling for salmon on the Great Lakes, so if I am reading your post right I should go one hotter on the champions than the equivlant of NGK's? And what about using the NGK's, should I go one hotter than recommended if used primarily for trolling? About the only time I run her wide open is to and from fishing areas and then it is just a troll.

Thanks.;)

[double trouble]

ngk 's tend to run hot right out of the box. stick to the recomended plug especially for a merc. mercs run hot and will burn power heads if you run hot plugs. and stay away from splitfires or you ruin your motor. they run too hot!!!champions run cooler and there is more choices so you can get a plug closer to what you need. they do tend to foul because they are cooler and an older design. also champions in stainless run colder too they do not match up to the copper plus specs . unnecessary unless you are in salt water. my 2 cents Dan

[PoleHolder]

I would only consider running a hotter plug if you are having premature fouling problems due to extended idling (trolling) and/or cold water use. This is also assuming that everything else is in good mechanical order and oil/gas ratio is correct. DT's advice is right on in my book. Split Fires are a great marketing product, but not a good spark plug investment IMHO. Autolites and AC are good plugs. Whatever plug you have to use, go with the catalog application or cross reference from your OEM number, only consider the next hotter if you have fouling problems, and then only go 1 heat range, never anymore. You can get too hot and do nasty things like damage pistons, etc.

[Burksee]

I agree with Pole Holder, You have to be very careful when changing to a hotter range plug. It may help your fouling issue and be ok on the low end/low speed but can cause catastophic damage when running wide open/high speeds. Is you motor a pre-mix or injected? If its injected I'd suggest checking the pump adjustment before doing anything. Also you could try using a semi or straight synthectic oil. They help fouling issues, especially low speed/trolling applications. Another thing, is your motor carb or FI? If carbed there may be a low speed/mid range adjustment or jet that you can adj/change to help the issue on the low end and not effect or cause an issue on the high end. In any case be careful, if you do go hotter keep an eye on 'em and see how they're burning. Remeber, plugs are cheaper than pistons! ;)

[bluedevil]

Thanks for all your input guys.;)

Just to clatify, I was'nt having issues with fouling I was just replacing the plugs because the electrodes were getting bad on the old ones.

I think I am going to get the OEM plugs and keep the champions for spares. I would rather be safe than sorry since it is still under warrenty.

Thanks again.:D

[WALLEYE MIKE]

I got a Merc 125 hp. and use Champions. No problems.