Is it a bad idea to replace V-grooved spark plugs with regular flat tip ones?


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Old 09-22-18, 02:37 PM
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Is it a bad idea to replace V-grooved spark plugs with regular flat tip ones?

I bought flat tip Champion OE type spark plugs for my Chrysler Sebring because I thought they were the closest to the original ones, but I have just realized the old ones are V grooved and made by NGK. Though I plan to get the same V grooved ones for replacement, I am curious if it is a bad idea to replace V-grooved spark plugs with regular flat tip ones.
 
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Old 09-22-18, 03:56 PM
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no doesn't hurt anything, if you want a longer lasting plug would probably look into a double platinum though in any brand, they cost more but can usually go 100k miles assuming the engine is not fouling plugs due to oil consumption.
 
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Old 09-22-18, 04:31 PM
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Thank you. I am experiencing misfire problems (OBD code P0300). I want to replace the spark plugs first. If they do not make any difference, I will send the car to a garage for repair.
 

Last edited by Hong Zhang; 09-22-18 at 05:04 PM.
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Old 09-22-18, 05:22 PM
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If you have misfire in a particular cylinder, move that cylinder ignition pack to a different cylinder. If misfire followed, it's ignition pack, not plug.
 
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Old 09-22-18, 05:52 PM
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Thank you for the tip. The problem is that I do not feel anything. I did not know the code until I had the annual inspection yesterday. I have had the warning light on for a month (about 900 miles).
 
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Old 09-23-18, 12:39 AM
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would probably clear the code and see if it returns typical ignition problems will tell you what cylinder is misfiring like p0301 for cylinder 1 or p0302 for cylinder 2, etc. for a p0300 witch is just random misfire detected often its not a ignition related problem.
 
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Old 09-23-18, 02:43 AM
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.... and many auto parts stores will reset and/or read your codes for free.
 
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Old 09-23-18, 04:29 AM
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Great tips!
Since you guys are offering great advice here, let me tell a bit more. It is a long story, but I will be very brief. The car had gas cap warning with increasing frequency. It usually disappeared by itself. A month ago, the check warning light turned on immediately after he gas tank was filled at a full service station. I assumed it was related to gas tank sensor, and I ignored it until I had the annual inspection last Friday. I originally planned to have a garage to check it after oil change.

The car has two OBD codes: P0300 and P0456 (EVAP System Small Leak). P0456 is what I originally expected. Now, I am wondering if these two are related.
 
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Old 09-23-18, 01:39 PM
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probably not related to each other you may look into obd2 code scanners there fairly inexpensive now and you can read and clear basic engine emission codes the more simpler ones just use an app on your smart phone.
 
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Old 09-23-18, 02:11 PM
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Thank you for the great idea. I did not know the scanners were so inexpensive. I will get one.
Do I have to use a tool to clear the codes? Will the warning light and code go away if the problem is fixed?
Can I post pictures here? I used to be able to do it. I tried multiple times yesterday to no avail.
 
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Old 09-23-18, 02:43 PM
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the scanner will allow you to erase codes after writing them down you can select clear or erase the codes and if the problem is fixed they will not return, with codes like evap or random misfire, it may take several drive cycles for the code to return they usually dont return instantly as the computer will have to detect a fault again, like a misfire or evap leak before it would turn back on the light.
 
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Old 10-01-18, 04:40 PM
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I got a scanner. Here are the codes:

Unfortunately, I am unable to clear the codes.
 
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Old 10-01-18, 04:43 PM
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How can I post an image? I used to be able to do it here.
 
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Old 10-02-18, 03:23 AM
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In case you aren't doing it correctly here are the instructions - How to insert pictures.
 
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Old 10-02-18, 05:04 AM
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Thank you. Your are right I was not doing it the right way. I used "Insert Image" button.
 
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Old 10-21-18, 05:22 AM
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The car is flawless now as far as I am concerned. Thanks for all your help.
I replaced the spark plugs, reset the codes with OBD2 scanner, drove the car for 300+ miles and over 30 times with seeing any warning signal. I brought the car for re-inspection and it passed without any problems.

Here is a picture showing two old spark plugs and a new one. You can see the V grooves of the old ones have diminished, and their gaps are significantly larger than that of the new one. Now, I am sure it is the spark plugs that was causing misfiring.

P0456 (EVAP System Small Leak) is likely not related, but it is not appearing. I periodically see the gas cap warning. I will post another thread about it (it is more than the cap).
 
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Old 10-21-18, 06:13 AM
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Was a mechanic for 30+ years. Both plugs are the right color for a properly operation cylinder. I have always used the plug the car came with or the platinum ones for longer wear. Things may have changed since I quit cars 20 years ago.
 
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Old 10-21-18, 06:27 AM
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Thank you for sharing your experience.
After searching online, I could not find the color wrong either. I have been wondering if it has to do with the fact that the misfiring happened only occasionally. It did not happen most of the time.
I felt a sort of harsh shift when climbing a hill and pressing the gas pedal. It happened occasionally until two months ago when it started to happen consistently and the check engine warning light turned on. Later, I realized the "harsh shift" was likely misfiring, not true harsh shift, according to my reading of posts describing similar symptoms.
Does this make any sense?
 
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Old 10-21-18, 08:51 AM
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The plug gap should be about .048inch. The worn plug gaps look like they have opened up quite a bit. Too big a gap, especially if there is some other part of your igntion system not putting out a full spark voltage, will cause misfires and throw codes.
 
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Old 10-21-18, 10:51 AM
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I think the gaps of the old spark plugs are about 0.08".
 
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