FP-DE/FS-DE alternate OEM spark plug recommendation

[adrianblack]

So strange.... Picked up my car with 15 miles on the clock. The only time/place it was ever touched mechanically other than me was for the dealer to change the clunking rear sway bar bushings. So odd! I wonder how these got in here?

Oh just had a thought -- could these plugs have something to do with emissions? My car was sold in California as a TLEV and perhaps they were needed to get the (dirtier than the normal protege) engine to pass California smog? In 2001, TLEV was the lowest emission standard allowable to be sold on any car.

 

[d1ck]

Hi, I just thought I'd add that I just put these plugs in my '99 DX and the engine runs much smoother. Also didn't hear any pinging. Thanks guys!

 

[Tzar177]

So strange.... Picked up my car with 15 miles on the clock. The only time/place it was ever touched mechanically other than me was for the dealer to change the clunking rear sway bar bushings. So odd! I wonder how these got in here?

Oh just had a thought -- could these plugs have something to do with emissions? My car was sold in California as a TLEV and perhaps they were needed to get the (dirtier than the normal protege) engine to pass California smog? In 2001, TLEV was the lowest emission standard allowable to be sold on any car.

Any mods done to the car?

 

[sarrati]

I have an 01 protege ES 2.0L, with no engine modifications. Everything is standard from factory. Will the ZFR5F-11 work in this engine, or should I stay with the BKR5E-11? My car has a lot of hesitation when accelerating in 2nd gear and then at high speeds in 5th gear. I need to let go of the gas a little and then step on it again to regain power. Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[br289165]

Sounds more like a fuel problem than ignition, please be more specific about the symptoms.

I have an 01 protege ES 2.0L, with no engine modifications. Everything is standard from factory. Will the ZFR5F-11 work in this engine, or should I stay with the BKR5E-11? My car has a lot of hesitation when accelerating in 2nd gear and then at high speeds in 5th gear. I need to let go of the gas a little and then step on it again to regain power. Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[sarrati]

Thanks br. Well, as I speed up sometimes the car tends to choke or hesitate (2nd or 3rd gear). After I am going at a steady speed, say 70mph, it's fine. If I decide to speed up to 80 to pass another car, there is that choking or hesitation again. I just let go of the gas for a second or two and step on it again and it regains acceleration. But this problem happens consistently when accelerating at low speeds or at high speeds. I checked the fuel pump and strainer and they seem to be fine. The pressure from the fuel lines coming from the pump was 35 psi. At first I though that was the issue, but now I am starting to think it might be the spark plugs.....any ideas?

 

[br289165]

You sound like you know what your doing, but if you haven't yet, then check the plug wires. Let us know what you find.

Thanks br. Well, as I speed up sometimes the car tends to choke or hesitate (2nd or 3rd gear). After I am going at a steady speed, say 70mph, it's fine. If I decide to speed up to 80 to pass another car, there is that choking or hesitation again. I just let go of the gas for a second or two and step on it again and it regains acceleration. But this problem happens consistently when accelerating at low speeds or at high speeds. I checked the fuel pump and strainer and they seem to be fine. The pressure from the fuel lines coming from the pump was 35 psi. At first I though that was the issue, but now I am starting to think it might be the spark plugs.....any ideas?

 

[br289165]

You sound like you know what your doing, but if you haven't yet, then check the plug wires next. I had some hesitation problems at 30,000 miles and had the dealer replace one of the coils, but at 50,000 i was feeling a blurp at certain points during acceleration and i had a cut wire.Let us know what you find.

Thanks br. Well, as I speed up sometimes the car tends to choke or hesitate (2nd or 3rd gear). After I am going at a steady speed, say 70mph, it's fine. If I decide to speed up to 80 to pass another car, there is that choking or hesitation again. I just let go of the gas for a second or two and step on it again and it regains acceleration. But this problem happens consistently when accelerating at low speeds or at high speeds. I checked the fuel pump and strainer and they seem to be fine. The pressure from the fuel lines coming from the pump was 35 psi. At first I though that was the issue, but now I am starting to think it might be the spark plugs.....any ideas?

 

[vickmacky]

Well I tried a set of the Z's in my stock P5 and I noticed that my purge control solenoid was working a lot more than I ever noticed it. Come to think about it, I have never heard it "clicking" until now. Does anybody know what that means? I went ahead and put the B's back in for now.

 

[slavrenz]

Well, I'm convinced of these plugs. I installed them on Saturday and my city gas mileage has gone up to 29 mpg after one tank. It may just be coincidence, but I've been tracking my gas mileage for a year and a half and the only time I've ever come close to this is with solid 65 mph highway driving. Things were weird tonight when I filled up - the pump clicked off at exactly $12.00, which is exactly how much cash I had in my wallet. Ah well, maybe it's a sign of good gas mileage to come...

 

[iluvmacs]

Maybe just changing the plugs was something you needed as a tune-up...

 

[sarrati]

I finally changed my spark plugs and that seems to have helped A LOT. No more hesitation during acceleration! My plugs were not as dirty as I thought, but when I was driving to the car parts store I got a "Cylinder 4 misfire" code. Changed the plugs and all is good. Now I just need to fix my door!...(hah)

 

[Rockin03mp5]

Just put these in. (ZFR5F-11)

Will let you know. I know my car was in need of new plugs anyways.

 

[njaremka]

i've been running them for quite some time, and my car seems fine. adds a little more zip, but not much

 

[Tom03es]

Same here.

 

[kyo21]

I just placed them in today, I'll see how it goes...the spark plug gap is 0.040" right?

 

[Rockin03mp5]

something like .040-.043

 

[kyo21]

Well everything seems to be fine and nothing is pinging...I installed the V-power ones; however, it just seems to make the car smoother and i feel as if i lost power....but I'm filling up 87 at the pump. Should I go up a grade?

 

[slavrenz]

Maybe just changing the plugs was something you needed as a tune-up...

Nope. They were just replaced 5,000 miles ago with the stock NGK plugs.

 

[blueprotegelx]

Just ordered a set of ngk v-power spark plugs ZFR6F-11 for the turbo project...