Need sound advice? Which spark plugs should I use for my 2002 V70 2.4T? Should I just go for the "Volvo" ones, or try a different brand?

 

I just use the Volvo Turbo plugs in my 850's and my 98 V70. I think many people use the Bosh plugs too.

 

I am a new owner of Volvos and being a "shadetree mechanic", the first thing I did was look at the ownr's manual for oil and sparkplug specs. For my '04 V70 2.5T, the manual says to use Champion. I don't have the exact part number, as my wife has the car right now. However it definetly said Champion, which surprised me as I was expectioning Bosch or Beru. When looking on line to price varous things for this car, Champion was not listed. I don't know what the local dealer uses, but the manual definetly said Champion.

 

I would stay away from Volvo-branded sparkplugs as there has been three cases in Swedenover the last couple of months where the plugs has started to leak. That may not sound to bad, but if this is allowed to go on for a while, then the middle-electrode becomes overheated and breaks off due to the vibrations that occur due to the leak. And if you have a side-electrode plug the the middle electrode falls down into the cylinder with disastrous result.

This has happened in two of the three cases. And when the plus has been analysed it turns out that it's not only one sparkplug that has failed. In one of the cases *all* plugs had started to leak. The owner replaced all plugs and just after 100miles all plugs were leaking again. In my case three plugs has started to leak where in one of them the electrode broke off. Volvo denies any responsibility and claims that they have been improperly torqued which is nonsense as I've used an electronic torqe.

It's easy to see if the plugs has started to leak as you will see exhaust deposits on the isolator just where the isolator enters the metal part. If you see this, then you know that the process has started, and it's just a matter of time before you have a total failure.



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My 2 cents:
On reading on here and a few other forums, stick with the Volvo plugs. I have the exact same car and that's what I use. I have seen some are having good luck with Bosch, but nothing fancy. Even on the "street racer" sites, which I am DEFINITELY not one, those guys are sticking with the Volvo plugs.

 

I'm using the OEM Bosch copper core plus from FCPGroton...seem okay to me!

 

www.rockauto.com













CHAMPION Part # 7071 {DOUBLE PLATINUM POWER #RC12PYP}
w/Dual Overhead Camshaft {.030 gap}

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$4.88
$0.00
$4.88
or












CHAMPION Part # 9201 {CHAMPION IRIDIUM}
w/Dual Overhead Camshaft {.030 gap}

+ Sold in packs of 4; Price reflects cost of each individual item, not the pack

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$7.21
$0.00
$7.21
or












CHAMPION Part # 71 {COPPER PLUS #RC12YC}
w/Dual Overhead Camshaft; Original Equipment Style {.030 gap}

- Stocked in outlying warehouseshipping delayed up to 1 business day

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$1.56
$0.00
$1.56

 

FWIW, I had a 2001 S80 2.9 and switched from Volvo plugs to E3 Diamondfire plugs. The local volvo dealer but volvo plugs in at 78k miles, and I put the E3 plugs in at 83k. MPG average went from 20.1 to 20.6. I replaced the plugs after hearing the above problems with the OEM Volvo plugs. the E3 plugs were cheaper than the BOSCH by about $2/plug. Of course this was no scientific study, but I had great results with the E3 plugs. Plus, you don't have to gap them!