Pulstar Spark Plugs for 996TT

[jackchung]

Hello all, great Porsche forum and super information. This is my first time adding a comment in RennTech but I think an important one. I'm a car junky and I have been blessed to have had and worked on many nice cars. My 3 1/2 year old is named Enzo! I just had my local mechanic install Pulstar spark plugs on my 2002 996TT yesterday along with changing out a leaking coolant tank (which was a pain in the neck to replace). He is experienced in working on Porsches. It started up great and smooth and he left the engine run for about five minutes before I drove it down the street to test. Then, about two minutes into the drive, the engine sounded like I threw a rod! I limped back to the shop and they parked it to see what was going on. I had the check engine light and a message saying get to my nearest dealer. OBD II scanner said miss fires in multiple cylinders. The tech thought the plugs were too hot and it was causing pre-ignition. They let her sit overnight with battery unplugged and today they started her up. It was fine, no codes and smooth idle. The tech took her out to see if anything was going to happen and sure enough, about five minutes in to the drive, same thing. As soon as the engine heats up, the plugs are causing pre-ignition. He had the bumper cover off and the plugs out as I delivered a set of Porsche plugs to them right at 6PM as they were closing shop. The tech pulled the Pulstar plug to show me and they were a mess. Just in ten minutes of driving time on them, a few were completely black, few were white, and few looked normal. The original plugs I had before with 30k miles looked uniformed and burned clean (no white residues or completely burnted on black residues). Also, the tops of the Pulstar plug's electrodes had a rainbow like colors on them (heat related?). I hope I did not damage my engine with the detonation issues caused by the plugs. When they install the Porsche plugs tomorrow, I should have a better idea of what's going on and that should be definitive that the plugs were the issue. Pulstar's website said the the plugs will not harm the car in any way. It just creates a better and hotter spark, I think it said 20,000 times more powerful spark. Well, in my case I think the spark was too hot. I wonder if they even tested the plugs on a 996TT ( I hope they did since they have a plug for my specification ). Has anyone out there used these plugs on a Porsche? 996TT specifically? I would love to know. They come with 30 money back but that's not the issue. I will update with more info on my Turbo after the new plugs are installed tomorrow. Thanks for all the wonderful information!

Edited August 30, 2008 by jackchung

[Chuck Jones]

There are some of the mods that are nothing but snake oil remedies....and worse yet, some of the mods haven't been tested in the various engines...or are made for the American muscle market. I know that most of the Porsche folks stick with either the OEM Beru or the Bosch....with a fairly new following recommending the Bosche for a cooler spark during the high speed and track runs. Sounds like your Porsche wasn't really compatible with the Pulstars....

I just changed out my plugs after 30K and numbered and kept them all for reference....upon close inspection it was evident they all were evenly gapped, looked just about the same color and appeared to have all worn evenly. Although I put the Beru back in, I would probably go to the Bosch based upon the recommendations I'm seeing coming from some of the tuners and indys.

[wross996TT]

Go with Bosch.

[jackchung]

Hello all, great Porsche forum and super information. This is my first time adding a comment in RennTech but I think an important one. I'm a car junky and I have been blessed to have had and worked on many nice cars. My 3 1/2 year old is named Enzo! I just had my local mechanic install Pulstar spark plugs on my 2002 996TT yesterday along with changing out a leaking coolant tank (which was a pain in the neck to replace). He is experienced in working on Porsches. It started up great and smooth and he left the engine run for about five minutes before I drove it down the street to test. Then, about two minutes into the drive, the engine sounded like I threw a rod! I limped back to the shop and they parked it to see what was going on. I had the check engine light and a message saying get to my nearest dealer. OBD II scanner said miss fires in multiple cylinders. The tech thought the plugs were too hot and it was causing pre-ignition. They let her sit overnight with battery unplugged and today they started her up. It was fine, no codes and smooth idle. The tech took her out to see if anything was going to happen and sure enough, about five minutes in to the drive, same thing. As soon as the engine heats up, the plugs are causing pre-ignition. He had the bumper cover off and the plugs out as I delivered a set of Porsche plugs to them right at 6PM as they were closing shop. The tech pulled the Pulstar plug to show me and they were a mess. Just in ten minutes of driving time on them, a few were completely black, few were white, and few looked normal. The original plugs I had before with 30k miles looked uniformed and burned clean (no white residues or completely burnted on black residues). Also, the tops of the Pulstar plug's electrodes had a rainbow like colors on them (heat related?). I hope I did not damage my engine with the detonation issues caused by the plugs. When they install the Porsche plugs tomorrow, I should have a better idea of what's going on and that should be definitive that the plugs were the issue. Pulstar's website said the the plugs will not harm the car in any way. It just creates a better and hotter spark, I think it said 20,000 times more powerful spark. Well, in my case I think the spark was too hot. I wonder if they even tested the plugs on a 996TT ( I hope they did since they have a plug for my specification ). Has anyone out there used these plugs on a Porsche? 996TT specifically? I would love to know. They come with 30 money back but that's not the issue. I will update with more info on my Turbo after the new plugs are installed tomorrow. Thanks for all the wonderful information!

[jackchung]

I got my 996TT back yesterday with the Beru Plugs and it runs perfect again. It definitely was the Pulstar Plugs that was not compatible with the 996TT. Please be aware and don't use these plugs on a 996TT!

[Loren]

Only Bosch and Beru (with the proper heat range) are approved by Porsche.

[mikerosi]

If this mechanic suggested Pulstar plugs for your Turbo, then you need to get a NEW mechanic!! Who knows what he will F#@% up next.

[jackchung]

Not my mechanic's fault. I took the spark plug to him. My bad!

[wross996TT]

Not my mechanic's fault. I took the spark plug to him. My bad!

IMO, He should have refused to install them. You expect your wrench to take care of your car and you.

[r34dy2fly]

good thing i didn't quite put the plugs in yet. i've always been wondering about them and now i know not to put them in. :)

[Chuck Jones]

WROSS: You seemed set on recommending the Bosch plugs. What's the scientific or rather technical advantage of the Bosch over the Beru plugs? You'd think that Porsche would push a german over a french plug wouldn't you? For a street car that is DE'd occasionally and taken on extended spirited mountain runs....what heat range would be best? I think I read that the guys who track a lot use a plug with a cooler heat range in them....but for us streeters....what's the best bet and why?

[wross996TT]

Chuck....you'd think I had some data and scientific info to support the Bosch recommendation, but all I have is anecdotal evidence from my tuner and the fact that my car runs great...so n>2. Keep in mind mine is bone stock :D

NOT!

[r34dy2fly]

Bosch +1.

I'm currently using NGK.