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From: George Braly <gwbraly@gami.com>
Subject: RE: [LML] Re: Tempest spark plugs
Thread-Topic: [LML] Re: Tempest spark plugs
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Colyn,  let me respond.

a) So far,  only the Champion fine wire plugs are showing a significant pro=
blem with cracking of porcelain on the central electrode.

However,  since the scrutiny started - - an unrelated collateral issue has =
arisen from observation of the frequently encountered high resistance of th=
e internal RFI  resistor.  THAT issue is identical for both massive plugs a=
nd fine wire plugs.   That problem is not nearly as significant as the crac=
king insulator problem.

b) TAT has no evidence that the Tempest plugs have any issues of any kind. =
 Fine wire or massive.

c) We do prefer the 29 heat range plugs.   If they were available we would =
recommend 27 heat range plugs.  The reality is that the only people that ne=
ed high heat range plugs are people who operate with rich mixtures - -  to =
keep down plug deposits.  With routine lean mixture operation there is so f=
ar no discernable plug deposits on colder heat range plugs.    I have perso=
nally operated a set of experimental  -27 heat range plugs for several hund=
red hours.  The plugs remained clean.   In general,  everyone should attemp=
t to identify and operate with the coldest heat range plugs that do not cre=
ate deposits or accumulate oil.=20

d) I think this is covered above - - -=20

Regards,  George=20


-----Original Message-----
From: Lancair Mailing List [mailto:lml@lancaironline.net] On Behalf Of Coly=
n Case
Sent: Saturday, February 11, 2012 7:51 PM
To: lml@lancaironline.net
Subject: [LML] Re: Tempest spark plugs

Walter,

Can you please clarify TAT's position on Tempest plugs?

I'm inferring from the link below that the following are true:
a) So far only Champion fine wires are implicated
b) but TAT suspects Tempest fine wire have the same failure mode
c) and TAT further prefers the 29 heat range which Tempest doesn't offer.
d) Therefore TAT has a preferred recommendation of Champion massives vs. Te=
mpest anything.

http://www.taturbo.com/TATSR22-SB11-05%20fine%20wire%20spark%20plugs%20init=
ial%20release%20sept%2023%202011.pdf

Colyn

On Feb 9, 2012, at 11:55 AM, Walter Atkinson wrote:

The issue is the resistance.  Plugs should be routinely tested for resistan=
ce and when out of spec., should be replaced.  The problem with cracked cer=
amics is not detonation, it is pre-ignition, which is much more damaging.  =
The Champion plugs are having resistance problems.  The Tempest plugs are f=
ar less likely to present a resistance problem.

Walter


On Feb 9, 2012, at 8:29 AM, Ron Laughlin wrote:

Don't know if anyone brought this up yet but Tornado Alley Turbos has
recently issued an "mandatory" service bulletin on fine wire plugs.
Apparently they are more prone to insulator cracks than the massives.
When the insulation falls off they turn into "glow plugs" and can lead
to a detonation event. I think George has documented this. Here's the
SB:

<TATSR22-SB11-05 fine wire spark plugs initial release sept 23 2011.pdf>

Ron


On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 11:37 AM, Tim Olson <Tim@myrv10.com> wrote:
> The fine wire plugs are pretty darn durable.  Mine are
> the Unison (now tempest) ones.  I find that they're easier
> to clean with the walnut chip blaster because without the
> massive side electrodes, it's much easier to get down in
> them to clean them.  They run real well for me.  For my
> dollar, I'll go Tempest fine wire for sure.  There's nothing
> magical about the Champions, and in fact you're just
> sticking with something older at that point when there is
> "new improved" available.  The resistors alone are a good
> reason to switch.
>=20
> FWIW, I did the same thing with oil filters.  After buying
> 2 each of Champion, Kelly, and Tempest, I now only buy
> Tempest oil filters.  The Kelly filters were just too
> flimsy.  The champion are higher price with lower
> quality features.
>=20
> Tim
>=20
> On 2/8/2012 7:05 AM, Art Jensen wrote:
>>=20
>> Lorn,
>>=20
>> Talked with Linda today. Still don't know the benefits of using fine
>> wire (Iridium) versus massive other than price. Champion massive are
>> $26.95 versus Tempest massive at $22.75. Champion fine wire (Iridium)
>> $89.95 versus Tempest fine wire (Iridum) at $49.50. These prices are
>> from Aircraft Spruce.
>>=20
>> I like the idea of the center electrode and resistor being fused
>> together as one piece. That new design is found in both types of plugs
>> made by Tempest. The price difference between the two types of plugs
>> should be no factor since the Fine wire (Iridium) are supposed to last
>> 1000 hours or more than the massive.
>>=20
>> According to Linda, the platinum plugs are no longer being manufactured.
>>=20
>> I have a call in to tech. Support at Champion but have not heard back
>> from them yet.
>>=20
>> Art Jensen
>>=20
>>=20
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> *From: * Lorn H Olsen <lorn@dynacomm.us>;
>> *To: * <lml@lancaironline.net>;
>> *Subject: * [LML] Re: Tempest spark plugs
>> *Sent: * Tue, Feb 7, 2012 5:28:43 PM
>>=20
>>=20
>> Art,
>>=20
>> Iridium spark plugs will last for 2,000 hours. With the Champion plugs,
>> at 500 to 800 hours, you will either have to buy massive plugs to swap
>> the resisters or buy new iridium plugs. I went to the junk yard and
>> pulled good resisters out of used massive plugs. The Tempest plug
>> resisters will stay good for the life of the plug.
>>=20
>> Other than the resisters, you will not be able to tell the difference
>> between the iridium plugs. Make sure that you don't get the older
>> platinum type.
>>=20
>> To buy:
>>=20
>> For good service with spark plugs call Linda Lou, Inc. in Memphis, Tn.
>> All Linda sells are plugs. She has replaced dropped plugs for me in the
>> past. Linda also gave me the number of a Champion rep. I will talk to
>> him in the near future and see if resisters or replacements are
>> available for the high resistance Champion plugs.
>>=20
>> 800-824-9912
>>=20
>> Her prices for plugs are:
>>=20
>> Tempest: $51.00
>> Champion: $89.95
>>=20
>> Lorn
>>=20
>> On Feb 7, 2012, at 6:00 AM, Lancair Mailing List wrote:
>>=20
>>> From: Art Jensen <flycassutts@yahoo.com <javascript:return>>
>>=20
>>> Date: February 6, 2012 7:50:13 PM EST
>>>=20
>>> All,
>>>=20
>>> Would like to hear from everyone using the tempest spark plugs. Are
>> you satisfied with them? Do you think they are better than Champion, and
>> why? Are you using the massive or fine wire? Help me make an informed
>> decision.
>>>=20
>>> I am getting ready to order a new set of plugs. I currently use the
>> RHB32E by Champion in my IO-550-N. I have no complaints with these plugs
>> but wonder if the Tempest with their one piece resistor design is better
>> as their ad would suggest.
>>>=20
>>> Thank you for your input
>>>=20
>>> Art Jensen
>>=20
>> --
>> Lorn H. 'Feathers' Olsen, MAA, ASMEL, ASES, Comm, Inst
>> DynaComm, Corp., 248-345-0500, mailto:lorn@dynacomm.us <javascript:retur=
n>
>>=20
>> LNC2, FB90/92, O-320-D1F, 1,800 hrs, N31161, Y47, SE Michigan
>>=20
>>=20
>> --
>> For archives and unsub
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>>=20
>=20
>=20
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