Champion Spark Plugs

[Keef]

Ebay has some fakes, but predominantly the stuff on offer is good.
A little care in choosing a vendor will reduce the risk to "minimal".

I'm not referring to fine-wire spark plugs in particular.

[peterh337]

I would be EXTREMELY wary of buying "new" brand name spark plugs on Ebay.

Ebay is already full of fake NGK spark plugs for cars - as I know very well from when I was looking for some for my (since sold) Jap import. As per the Non Av thread on Ebay, do a search and you quickly find very different pricing for apparently identical items. Plus a load of stuff on the net about it.

Also there probably won't be traceability docs - unless it happens to be an Ebay shop from one of the aviation parts retailers. However I am sure most people just fit plugs without paperwork, because nobody can tell if they were changed.

Any brands which are seen as premium quality brands are like a magnet for Ebay fakes. Hoya camera filters is another hugely popular line.

[ffg]

Our engineer/Inspector tested our Champion plugs after cleaning. The internal resistance should ideally be < 3k ohms (though somewhat higher is acceptable - I can't remember all the figures.)

Most of them came out at around 300k ohms. There was little wear on the electrodes but the plugs look quite old. We have put in new Tempest plugs.

[Flyingmac]

So someone went to the trouble of making fake 1950s plugs. Inhibited them with something akin to Waxoyl. Wrapped them in waxed paper printed with the Champion logo and instructions. Added a warning slip about maximum torque (fake aged paper). Packed same into a fake 50s period box and then made a killing by selling them at less than £4 each.

Back to reality. Today I cleaned off the inhibitor and tested the plugs under pressure.
BIG FAT SPARK.

[JeffSmith]

I understand that Tempest spark plugs were previously sold under the 'Autolite' brand in the USA.

Aprroximately 3 years ago I purchased a set of Autolite plugs to fit the A65 in my Luscombe. They have performed faultlessly and I have been very pleased them.

They were about 60% of the price of the equivalent Champions, but even more important to me they were receiving glowing reports in the USA aviation community. At that time it appeared that a large number of aircraft maintenance service providers were switching to Autolite plugs.

Regards

Jeff

[Awful Charlie]

Interestingly, Champion have issued a denial of the problem

So if you are having problems with Champion plugs, it is because you are not operating your engine correctly

[Jonzarno]

Interestingly, Champion have issued a denial of the problem

So if you are having problems with Champion plugs, it is because you are not operating your engine correctly

Comment rhymes with "Rowlocks".

I fitted Tempests which seem to tolerate my engine "mismanagement" rather more forgivingly!