Volvo 480 Club Europe

Hi everyone,
Volvo has stopped producing the spark plugs for the turbo model. In my case a 91 b18ftm (no cat)
I always purchased original ones since in the past I had many issues due to non-original spark plugs. For instance i had some issues with some bosch ones.
So does anyone know good ones that you've been using without issues?
Thanks

NGK are good for us and I think the originals were rebranded Champion. You are right about Bosch, although I hadn't experienced it myself‎, I've read on here that the turbo engine doesn't like their Super 4 ones-- you'd probably get away with their older style single end offering. 

In my old Haynes service book NGK-BPR6ES was recommended so I used them on my old 1990 Turbo (cat) for many years.
Also tested NGK-BPR7ES that can handle more heat since I ran with 0,75bar turbo boost but went back to NGK-BPR6ES since I felt they ran little smother and I never had any problems on the higher boost.

I also tested Beru and Bosch with multi electrodes but were never really satisfied with them.

If you want a new, genuine set, this guy in NL has them for sale.

https://www.volvo340onderdelen.nl/en/sp ... volvo.html

40 euro for a set of spark plugs someone found at the bottom of a forgotten shelf?? @%#!(*!@(%$# <insert Dutch swear word here, usually a disease>

Let's do some research, because Volvo isn't producing spark plugs by themselves, they order at large manufacturers who stamp "Volvo" on them. So if we can find out who made them, we're sorted.

A clue is "made in Mexico". There is, or used to be, only one spark plug manufacturer in that country: Champion.
Champion recommends the RN7YC spark plug for the Volvo 480, and this range is called "Copper Plus". Double Plus, Copper Plus... that sounds quite similar. They look different, though!



Found cheap here, though outside the UK you'd find the postage a bit hefty: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/champion-spa ... 3276803536

An alternative is NGK BPR7ES. Though for the 1.7 N/A engines I would think the BPR6ES runs better.



They are sold at many outlets, for instance https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1x-NGK-Coppe ... 2728167575

For my tuppence

I've used NGK with no issues, the image of the 'VOLVO' plugs seems to sugget that 'one size fits all '

well from 86 onwards . .. .. .. ( so pretty much all )

And let's not forget the original spark plugs were designed in the 1980s, we've moved on more than 30 years now.

Volvo also sold two types of plugs with the B20F being suitable for both it seems.‎

‎3344773-8 for B18F, EP, FP & B20F
3344899-‎4 for B18E, ED, ES, Turbo, B20F
(3270506 used to be for the B18F, EP & FP and  but was superceded by ‎3344773-8)
‎
‎

This doesn't necessarily tie up with the aftermarket manufacturers data:‎

NGK (data from the UK website):
BPR7ES: B18FT Turbo, B20F, B18ED, B18E, 
ZGR5B: B18FP, B18F‎

NGK (data from catalogue):
BPR7ES: B18FT ‎, B20F (0.8 gap)
ZGR5B: B18FP (0.7 gap)

Champion:‎
‎Catalogue: https://www.championautoparts.eu/conten ... alogue.pdf
‎RN9YC: B18F (0.9mm gap) [NGK equivalent: BPR6ES]
RN9LCC: B18EP, B20F‎ (1.0mm gap) [NGK equivalent: ZGR5B]
RN7YC‎: B18E, B18FT (0.9mm gap) [NGK equivalent: BPR7ES]
‎
‎slaine pronunciation
‎
‎I'm sure the NGK data used to be different! After doing a bit more research, I will probably change to Champion now as they list all of our engines separately while the NGK website misses some off.‎

The above is quite confusing, the B20F Champion plug is RN9LCC... the NGK equivalent (determined from their catalogue) is ZGR5B... the opposite plug to what NGK recommend directly for the same engine!‎

Volvo also sold two types of plugs with the B20F being suitable for both it seems.‎

‎3344773-8 for B18F, EP, FP & B20F
3344899-‎4 for B18E, ED, ES, Turbo, B20F
(3270506 used to be for the B18F, EP & FP and  but was superceded by ‎3344773-8)
‎
‎

This doesn't necessarily tie up with the aftermarket manufacturers data:‎

NGK (data from the UK website):
BPR7ES: B18FT Turbo, B20F, B18ED, B18E, 
ZGR5B: B18FP, B18F‎

NGK (data from catalogue):
https://www.ngkntk.com/service/downloads/#Catalogs‎
BPR7ES: B18FT ‎, B20F (0.8 gap)
ZGR5B: B18FP (0.7 gap)

Champion:‎
‎Catalogue: https://www.championautoparts.eu/conten ... alogue.pdf
‎RN9YC: B18F (0.9mm gap) [NGK equivalent: BPR6ES]
RN9LCC: B18EP, B20F‎ (1.0mm gap) [NGK equivalent: ZGR5B]
RN7YC‎: B18E, B18FT (0.9mm gap) [NGK equivalent: BPR7ES]
‎
‎slaine pronunciation
‎
‎I'm sure the NGK data used to be different! After doing a bit more research, I will probably change to Champion now as they list all of our engines separately while the NGK website misses some off.‎

The above is quite confusing, the B20F Champion plug is RN9LCC... the NGK equivalent (determined from their catalogue) is ZGR5B... the opposite plug to what NGK recommend directly for the same engine!‎

But as Mssr. Brink says, technology has moved on and that probably explains why Champion recommend the OE195 irridium to replace the plugs in all 480 exgines except the B18EP‎.‎

My understanding is that these Irridium and Platinum‎ plugs aren't really any better they just last longer in order to satisfy manufacturer's desire for incredibly long service intervals-- which we don't have. I am quite happy to put a set of new plugs in the car every year.

Time has come to change the spark plugs and this topic has become of the utmost importance to me because for the last years I have been using the plugs sold by volvo.

It's not like I wanted them but because once I had to turn to a volvo dealer to sort an engine problem (which only got fixed when they changed the injectors, cabling and plugs) since then I was advised to keep them, which I have. And indeed the problem went away and the engine has been running smooth ever since.

I don't remember which ones the engine was using before but I think it may have been BOSCH branded, but surely not the super 4 type because I never bought them.

But, as a side note, I DO remember my 480 losing a bit of "punch" it used to have. However, given the trouble I had gone through and the bill I was presented I decided not to do any more experiments with spark plugs to see if I could get back that extra-bit of "muscular responsiveness" I appreciated so much.

Anyway, I have been doing some research here and at first I thought the right plugs were the Champion RN7YC (OE018/T10) or the NGK BPR6ES (7822) / NGK BPR7ES (2023).

Meanwhile, I came across this thread:

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=35306&hilit=NGK+ZGR5B

It seems the really right ones are NGK ZGR5B, or perhaps the Champion powersport RN9LCC (OE060/T10).

The latter looks really similar to the ones volvo used to sell !! - which seems to align correctly with the clue about champion being the plug manufacturer in Mexico.


But the question remains, I can't believe that either Champion RN7YC or NGK BPR6ES/BPR7ES weren't suitable for the turbo engine and I have read good/positive notes here as well from people using them, so if given the choice which one should I go for?

the Champion RN7YC (OE018/T10) or the Champion powersport RN9LCC (OE060/T10)?

The Champion RN9LCC does have the more protruding electrode into the combustion chamber and that must mean something.

Another side note, some sites that sell plugs denote the Champion RN9LCC unsuitable for the turbo engines but do indicate equivalent part when cross referenced to VOLVO OEM 3344899-4!

Which engine do you have?

David

Hi,

I have a 480 Turbo with B18FT(M) engine.

480s partner wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 06, 2020 2:54 pm

Hi,

I have a 480 Turbo with B18FT(M) engine.

Hi

Sorry - re-read the thread and you said this right at the start; my error!

Don't know if you are aware but there are some genuine Volvo B18FT plugs on ebay at the moment:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Volv ... ondition=1

Like you, I have always used genuine Volvo plugs. Next service on the GT (2.0i) will use the last of my genuine ones

David

Not sure why, but ebay is always the last place I go looking for something!

But thanks, I think I will consider the possibility and take a look around. Who knows, maybe I get lucky and find some interesting deal.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Volv ... ondition=1

Even though the seller adverts them for the 1.7 turbo these don't seem the correct ones, #271409-5 fits 200,300, 700.

On my Turbo I use BPR8ES, mine has got a modified ecu by Robou though..

After doing some research I think Ade is right, the NGK ZGR5B is overall better suited, even more than the Champion RN9LCC.

480s partner wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 08, 2020 6:14 pm

After doing some research I think Ade is right, the NGK ZGR5B is overall better suited, even more than the Champion RN9LCC.

It depends on how you drive.. BPR7ES & BPR8ES are better if you do a track day or like me like to boot it around on boost all the time, even Ade says this..
The plug ZGR5B are if you like to plod about like a Sunday driver
Regards
Whitewolf....

WhiteWolf wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 09, 2020 2:00 pm

480s partner wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 08, 2020 6:14 pm

After doing some research I think Ade is right, the NGK ZGR5B is overall better suited, even more than the Champion RN9LCC.

It depends on how you drive.. BPR7ES & BPR8ES are better if you do a track day or like me like to boot it around on boost all the time, even Ade says this..
The plug ZGR5B are if you like to plod about like a Sunday driver
Regards
Whitewolf....

Interesting you mention that.

True, I used to have a more vigorous driving and I can't help thinking the plugs I had previously (not the ones sold by volvo) were not only better suited for that but also helped the engine to develop a more energetic response/readily handle the boost inputs.

I won't deny I noticed that difference when I changed to the volvo plugs.

And also, maybe it's because of that precisely that the driver feels confident in the right pedal reaction (one thing leads to the other).

However, I also learned there is a trade-off for that, turbo and tyre wear, fuel consumption, harsher rides.

I don't mind trading a bit of the kick-in-the-back response for longevity and reliability of components.

The power is still there, it just feels more tamed.

So, as long as the NGK ZGR5B don't change that for the worse I think they will come as my first choice.

If not, well, like you said, there's always the BPR7ES.