Correct spark plug for 2003 VS

I recently purchased a 2003 VS and got absolutely no documentation on what was used to build it. I contacted VS looking for a build sheet but they told me that they don't keep records on cars that old. The previous owner thought the donor car was a 1968 Beetle and that it was 85 hP. It is running dual Kadron carburetors and that's about all I know about it.

Can anyone tell me the correct spark plug to use? I went to my local NAPA store and they sold me plugs for a 1968 VW with a much shorter thread reach by maybe 1/2" than the NGK BP5ES-A plugs that were in the car when I got it. Is there a way to back track the NGK number to see what it might go to and if they are the correct plugs for my motor?

Thanks, Rich

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/68bug/68T1-49.jpg

If what you got from NAPA is a short plug , then you probably have 3/4" long reach threads in the head..." 85hp " if accurate is a medium size motor 1915cc + and may have performance heads on the motor. ~Alan

Thanks for the information.

What I got from NAPA was a short plug by comparison and what was in the motor were NGK BP5ES-A with a much longer thread reach. Oddly, this number doesn't come up as a valid number on the NGK site.

Is there any way to tell for sure what my motor is? If the motor is a 1915 cc, are the NGK BP5ES plugs the correct ones to use? I found a NGK application WEB site however; it did not list any Volkswagen models as using this plug.


Rich

Like DRCLOCK said - the longer 3/4" reach (threaded area) 14mm plugs are used on performance heads like the 041/043/044 (other #s in there too). (Seems newer CB heads use the small 12mm plugs so they can fit even larger valves without heads cracking). Those # should be in the part number cast into the heads under the valve cover area - like P/N 043-101-375H for an 043. That number will help you narrow down what the valve size probably is too.

I'd put back the same equivalent plug that was in it before. Use a long reach in a short hole and if it doesn't hit the piston the threads that stick out will carbon up and next time you remove then they will destroy the threads. Use a short one in a long hole and the electrode will not be close to desired combustion area.

Rich--my VS was made in '07 so it should be close to the same as yours.

You can just ask Kirk what spark plugs he recommends.

Or use the same type that you remove.

My '07 VS with a 1915 engine uses Bosch 7502 with a 0.024 gap tightened in to 21 foot pounds. I use a short straight length of garden hose to hold the plugs while starting to thread them.

--Jack

The only way to be 'prudent' is to know what engine you have. If you can't get that information, Jack is correct. "If it ain't broke"

I do appreciate all of the input. However, I would relly like to know what the correct plugs are. Simply putting back what was there before without knowing if they are correct doesn't seem prudent.

Rich

Rich--I'm the worst mechanic on this site, but even I know that if your car ran well before (I'm assuming it did) then the same plugs should keep it running.

I'm just sayin'

Jack

contact roland .....rasconmotorsport@yahoo.com.....he's the one that builds VSs engines....might be rasconmotorsports(plural)

Jack,

It didn't run well with the old plugs that's the problem. Here is a photo showing the short plug and the long plug side by side. As you can see, there is quiet a difference. These are not my plugs but a photo I took from a post on another forum seeking the same information.

Rich

Wow--I see. Do what Bob Said or Call Kirk with the specific question "what plugs for a VS from '03?"

Jack

Check on google, lots of info there. They appear to be stock plugs for a Mexican fuel injection engine

No part number cast into head? Take a pencil put a worm of clay on it (for its length). Insert in center of plug hole. Carefully push down on threads and lift up and remove. If you see on 3/4" of threads use the long threaded plug - if only 1/2" then use stock VW short ones. Other alternative is tear off a head and eye ball it or measure.

IMHO I doubt VS will remember your engine build from 6 years ago - especially since they said they didn't keep any records that far back.

Wolfgang--=-damned smart approach---something my pea brain would have never thought of but a simple, practical approach to finding out the thread depth.

All I can say is "why didn't I think of that???"

Once again this shows what a wealth of infornation is available here on the 356 site.---Jack

Rich
what length plug came came out of the motor ? back then we were using
short reach plug's they were w8ac by bosch if a long reach plug came out you can use a w8cc by bosch Roland

If the bp5es came out of your motor that plug has a hot temp range I would go with a w8cc mid temp plug you can get it just about anywhere.

Roland,

The plugs that came out were BP5ES and the new ones seem to work fine. What's the disadvantage/advantage of using a hotter/colder plug?

Rich

The spark plug temp really depend's on application on your car the plug your using is ok .Colder plug are used in motor's where there's more compression where the cylinder pressure is alot more like turbo motor's or a motor with nitrous.