Spark Plugs

[DRW1000]

re 99 Venture.

Does anyone know if the plugs for the Ventures are double platinum (platinum on both centre and ground) or simply platinum (centre electrode only)?

My local auto parts store does not seem to carry the ACdelco version for my vehicle although it lists one and carries a lot of delco plugs. The number listed is 41-940 Or something similar. I went to the ACdelco website but they did not clarify much based on that number.

[renechua]

Nothing less than double platinum coz it really is a pain & expensive replacing those plugs. It might not really matter much the brand as long as they're the right plugs for your vehicle.

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by renechua

Nothing less than double platinum coz it really is a pain & expensive replacing those plugs. It might not really matter much the brand as long as they're the right plugs for your vehicle.

I beg to differ. It REALLY DOES MATTER which brand you use . AC Delco are the preferred brand to use. I used to sell auto parts many years ago and sold hundreds of sets of plugs. I used to get many complaints and returns on plugs such as Bosch. When the Delcos were reinstalled in the vehicle, mysterious problems such as hard starting, poor driveability, and poor fuel economy disappeared. GM spends millions of dollars in research to make sure their parts are the right fit for their vehicles. Like you said "it really is a pain replacing those plugs." To me it would be a pain having to go back in and attempt to replace the cheaper plugs with the OEM ones. With these vans, GM should run an ad campaign for their plugs, "Do it with AC Delco and do it right the First time!"

[DRW1000]

Originally Posted by '97ventureowner

I beg to differ. It REALLY DOES MATTER which brand you use . AC Delco are the preferred brand to use. I used to sell auto parts many years ago and sold hundreds of sets of plugs. I used to get many complaints and returns on plugs such as Bosch. When the Delcos were reinstalled in the vehicle, mysterious problems such as hard starting, poor driveability, and poor fuel economy disappeared. GM spends millions of dollars in research to make sure their parts are the right fit for their vehicles. Like you said "it really is a pain replacing those plugs." To me it would be a pain having to go back in and attempt to replace the cheaper plugs with the OEM ones. With these vans, GM should run an ad campaign for their plugs, "Do it with AC Delco and do it right the First time!"

I agree that the original are amongst the best, but you get what you pay for. There are specific requirements and if the factory installed Delcos are double platinum then I will get them or a good quality drop in replacement. Champion just released a new plug (new in my area) that is a true double platinum plug. They are not inexpensive and I expect the factory's from GM will be about the same cost.

I am not surprised that you see a lot of problematic Bosch's. None of the 3 Bosch types I know of are true double platinums. They only have platinum on the centre electrodes and not on the grounds.