And different heads!

 

Not all of them do. There is a cutoff on builds around Oct 07. Basically, if your head part number ends in AA you have the high thread plug. Then I believe if it is AB or BA you use the new style plug. My car was manufactured in Sept so I'm one of the last 08s with the junk plugs and problematic heads.

 

That's correct, the change did not take effect until after the '08's began production. Early '08's still have the original design.

 

So my 06 has crap heads? ut-oh what's wrong with the original style heads? I didn't know there were problems with them.

 

The heads were revised in late 07 (mid 08 model year). The new heads use a standard style spark plug. The old ones use a "high thread" plug. The factory plug design are crimped together and can separate in the head if left in too long to carbon up and stick.

 

I guess this is what I get for not visiting the forum in so long. So I have 70k on my plugs now. What's the general concensus? Auto-lite, OEM, Champion? For the price I've read some not so nice things about the Champions but they're the only single-piece out there. Or is this a pick your poison situation that we're all in?

Thanks!

 

I have had the Champions now for 2 months and they are fine. I believe if you read all the posts in the various forums that 80% - 90% are completely satisfied with the Champions. I did not want the threat of broken plugs hanging over my head so I changes mine out at 9K miles. There is a certain number of folks out there who are prejudiced concerning Champion plugs and nothing will ever change their minds.

 

70k wow , be careful taking them out and good luck ...

 

Thanks! All done. 3 came out very easy, the other 5 I just took my time with. I've never, and I mean never, heard squealing when pulling out spark plugs and these 5 were pretty bad. I just took it slow, worked up back and forth a little, and prayed. Put autolites in with antisieze and car seems to be running fine. Very thankful that it's over though, some of these posts had me expecting the worst.

Thanks for all the input in this thread! Made the job much easier. I tired to convince my wife that since I saved us potentially several thousand dollars that I should at least be able to buy the new Pioneer F900BT. Yeah right, what was I thinking......

 

how can I tell if I have the new or older plugs? I have a early model production 08.

 

Production into about Oct have the multipiece plug. Outside of just removing the plug, there is a sticker on the driver side cam cover. The AA designation means multipiece and AB means new style.

 

I have a early production 08 with the AA sticker..bummer.

guess Ill have to pick up a set of the champion plugs.

 

I'm not convinced Champions are a good solution. They seem to have serious quality control problems.