I have a question - what are the recommended plugs for a 1991 240, and is there any documentation supporting it? FWIW I do not have my owner's manual. The autozone guy pretty much said I was a moron for not wanting the platinum plugs after I inquired about copper plugs. Told me that I should get copper plugs if I wanted to come in every month to buy new plugs and that there is a reason no one uses copper anymore. So I took the 5qt oil jug, oil filter, air filter, wiper blades and $40 worth of exterior/interior care products I was going to buy, and left them on the counter and walked out.

What are the best plugs to use and what are the pros/cons of the various types of plugs (copper, platinum, iridium, any others??).

 

NGK copper core plugs.
http://www.ipdusa.com/Volvo-200/Engi...-258-260-1123/

 

Sorry to disagree with you TIPSP but OEM are Bosch copper core or Bosch copper core plus...NGK are not OEM parts and really meant for Japanese cars. They work great for Toyotas... J/K They are probably just fine and I know IPD likes them and advertises them but they must be getting a real nice kick back from NGK.... OEM is Bosch and that's all we use at our shop here in Seattle. No need for platinum, won't hurt but why pay extra when they won't help either? The B230F engines were designed with a copper core plug in mind because there were no platinum plugs back then. Gap them at .028 to .030mm and make sure to use anti-seize everytime you your replace plugs. Your choice but I'd only use Bosch OEM Volvo parts...

 

think that's .028 - .030 inch, not mm. I'm sure you know that, but there are automobile newbies around.

dave

 

yes that's what I meant so use to using metric sorry about that. Use BOSCH....

 

Haha. No need to be sorry, it is an open forum. I have NGKs and have they work great for me. It has been a really long time since Bosch plugs have been in the 745.

 

Why is that? Someone convince you to try NGK or just followed IPD's suggested plugs? You find they work better than Bosch? If so what kind of testing have you done? Like to know because I have a lot of clients that ask about NGK since I'm so close to Portland(IPD's home base)...Thanks TIPSP!-Volvoguy

 

No real reason. Just what my dad has used in the car since he got it. If you want I can get some Bosch ones next time and do a comparison.
I plan on dynoing it very soon so I could do a test that way also. I have to see what dates are good.

 

Actually my '95 940 specifies Volvo plugs, made by who knows who...
I prefer NGK as even newer BMW's use them as OEM parts. Bosch was fine at one time, but
since about ten years ago Bosch Platinum started to practically ruin engines, especially BMW's, the switch was made away from them. I am pretty comfy with NGK copper and don't know or care what IPD recommends...

 

hmmmm...good to know. NGK is usually for Japanese cars. Bosch has always neen used as OEM for Volvo,BMW,Mercedes...most German makes...Since the fuel injection system is Bosch...anywho we always use Bosch copper core plus but we also speci'ize in the rear wheel drive Volvo's...maybe something has changed? I have never seen a spark plug ruin a motor usually it is stemmed from another problem even the cheapeat of plugs will still let a car run ok...

 

"Ruin" is a little strong... Bosch Plats did make many BMW's run very crappy though... And were abandoned in favor of NGKs. As I am you know Volvo also widely used Regina instead of Bosch as far as ignition systems go...

 

I wouldn't stress too much about provenance of plugs-one should use what works. I've found that generally it doesn't pay to pay exorbitant prices for some special "quad-pronged-unobtanium-tipped-super" plugs just because they tell you to, unless of course the simple plugs clearly make the motor unhappy. As far as Euro car=Euro Plugs, nah, plugs are like tires, and belts, and rotors, etc. I wish they came from Europe but there they are going the same way as the US-more and more Euro brands are made in the "developing" world... probably all in the same factory.

 

Very true do not spend extra $$ on plugs. Also, Regina is pretty uncommon on volvo's and to be stayed clear of...very few 240"s had it, some 740's some 940's...Regina is very hard to find parts for and I would never recommend buying a Regina car...