Clio spark plugs?

[cyberdyne]

My Clio has just had a full service this week and I was told that the spark plus are 'platinum coated' & 'very expensive' and therefor don't need changing. However, there is a lot of 'juddering' when the car is at a stand-still and it sounds as though it is threatening to stall - which it has done once or twice.

I was told by an AA mechanic a couple of weeks ago - who had to come out to a break-down where he changed the 'coil' and 'leads' that the plugs will need changing.

Now, my plugs haven't been changed and the 'juddering' remains.

What should I do? Change them / leave them / look at something else as a possible cause of the 'juddering' ?

I don't really want the expense of the spark plugs if it's not really necessary to change them, but am happy to if it will solve the problem.

Thanks for any advice.

	Ignition Coils Ignition Coils An ignition coil (also called a spark coil) is an induction coil in an automobile's ignition system which transforms a storage battery's 12 volts to the thousands of volts needed to spark the spark plugs. This specific form of the autotransformer, together with the contact breaker, converts low voltage from a battery into the high voltage required by spark plugs in an internal combustion engine. In older vehicles a single (large) coil would serve all the spark plugs via the ignition distributor. In modern systems, the distributor is omitted and ignition is instead electronically controlled. Much smaller coils are used with one coil for each spark plug or one coil serving two spark plugs (so two coils in a four-cylinder car). These coils may be remote-mounted or they may be placed on top of the spark plug (coil-on-plug or Direct Ignition). Where one coil serves two spark plugs (in two cylinders), it is through the "wasted spark" system. In this arrangement the coil generates two sparks per cycle to both the cylinders. The fuel in the cylinder that is nearing the end of its compression stroke is ignited, whereas the spark in its companion that is nearing the end of its exhaust stroke has no effect. The wasted spark system is more reliable than a single coil system with a distributor and cheaper than coil-on-plug. Where the coils are remote mounted they may all be contained in a single moulded block with multiple high-tension terminals. This is commonly called a coil-pack.

[madnoel10]

Unfortunately faulty coils and leads can cause damage to spark plugs - that's why the AA guy recommended you have them renewed. Did you explain this to the garage who done the service. Platinum plugs are quite expensive and are designed to last 50-60K miles - about 3 times longer than bog standard ones. If you are capable of changing the plugs yourself why not take one out - write down the number on the insulator - and then see if a local motor factors can supply. I'll have a look online and if I faind somthing suitable I'll post it up.

	Ignition Coils Ignition Coils An ignition coil (also called a spark coil) is an induction coil in an automobile's ignition system which transforms a storage battery's 12 volts to the thousands of volts needed to spark the spark plugs. This specific form of the autotransformer, together with the contact breaker, converts low voltage from a battery into the high voltage required by spark plugs in an internal combustion engine. In older vehicles a single (large) coil would serve all the spark plugs via the ignition distributor. In modern systems, the distributor is omitted and ignition is instead electronically controlled. Much smaller coils are used with one coil for each spark plug or one coil serving two spark plugs (so two coils in a four-cylinder car). These coils may be remote-mounted or they may be placed on top of the spark plug (coil-on-plug or Direct Ignition). Where one coil serves two spark plugs (in two cylinders), it is through the "wasted spark" system. In this arrangement the coil generates two sparks per cycle to both the cylinders. The fuel in the cylinder that is nearing the end of its compression stroke is ignited, whereas the spark in its companion that is nearing the end of its exhaust stroke has no effect. The wasted spark system is more reliable than a single coil system with a distributor and cheaper than coil-on-plug. Where the coils are remote mounted they may all be contained in a single moulded block with multiple high-tension terminals. This is commonly called a coil-pack.

[madnoel10]

Try this link - about £15 a set
Spark plugs UK - Champion, Denso, NGK spark plugs and Magnecor leads

[cyberdyne]

Originally Posted by madnoel10

Try this link - about ***163;15 a set
Spark plugs UK - Champion, Denso, NGK spark plugs and Magnecor leads

Brill, I'll have a look, thank you.

Yes, I told the mechanic but he was adamant they didn't need changing.

[cyberdyne]

Originally Posted by madnoel10

Try this link - about ***163;15 a set
Spark plugs UK - Champion, Denso, NGK spark plugs and Magnecor leads

Their search tool came up with these.
Unsure if they're the correct ones; they seem correct.
Would you have an idea?

Champion--REA8MCL

Manufacturer RENAULT
Model Clio II
Engine Size 1.2 L
No. of Valves/Cylinders 16V / 4Cyl
Variant None Specified
Year of Manufacture 07/01 ->
Power output 75 BHP
Standard gap setting 0.9mm
Part Number REA8MCL
Short Code (aka) OE130
Price (***163;) Per Plug 3.27+vat
Qty Per Set 4

Thank you for your help