SPARK PLUGS???

coolrowcamping · Post by **coolrowcamping** » April 19th, 2005, 3:46 pm

I am going to change the plugs in the merc this weekend, it is a 1997 200 offshore merc, what kind of plugs do yall suggest?
thanks again for any help

chugbug · Post by **chugbug** » April 19th, 2005, 4:02 pm

I would use NGK. They seem to be a quality plug for 2-strokes.

Post by **Tom Keels** » April 19th, 2005, 4:40 pm

Use the exact plugs that are in it now. Whatever they are. Those offshore mercs are finiky about what plugs they need. The need a hotter plug than normal. If your engine runs take a plug out and go to a marine store to get them to match it. Chances are you are not going to find them at auto zone.

I would imagine the plugs will cost upwards of 3$ a piece if they are the correct ones.

Post by **Jumptrout51** » April 19th, 2005, 8:27 pm

What Tom said.

wetjet · Post by **wetjet** » April 19th, 2005, 9:34 pm

u gotta cha

nge em?

Post by **tin can** » April 19th, 2005, 9:41 pm

wetjet wrote:u gotta cha nge em?

You ain't from around here, are ya?

Post by **tin can** » April 19th, 2005, 9:48 pm

I have a 1997 200 Merc. It came from the factory with NGK plugs. Pep Boys had the exact same NGK plug for under $2.00. I don't know if Valdosta has a Pep Boys, but it's worth a try.

Post by **Jumptrout51** » April 19th, 2005, 10:04 pm

Just do what WETJET does. Run some diesel fuel through 'em. That'll clean 'em up.

Post by **tin can** » April 20th, 2005, 4:57 am

dstockwell · Post by **dstockwell** » April 20th, 2005, 6:42 am

Take it out and go to auto parts store and have them look it up in the computer for the plug that crosses over to the one you have. Going to a marine store and paying twice the price or more for the same plug is crazy. Then keep the ones you removed for spares incase you have a problem on the water.

Post by **Tom Keels** » April 20th, 2005, 6:47 am

dstockwell wrote:Take it out and go to auto parts store and have them look it up in the computer for the plug that crosses over to the one you have. Going to a marine store and paying twice the price or more for the same plug is crazy. Then keep the ones you removed for spares incase you have a problem on the water.

No its not crazy if they have the exact plug you need. Crossovers do not always correspond. They may have the EXACT plug, but they may also try to sell a crossover which may or may not work. I had a couple of friends get burned on this before. Trust me when I say GET THE EXACT PLUG that came out of the engine.

Wil can tell you about his plug buying experience.

dstockwell · Post by **dstockwell** » April 20th, 2005, 8:33 am

Tom Keels wrote:Wil can tell you about his plug buying experience.

Does not Will have a Yamaha HPDI, of which there is all kinds of documentation that they are notorious for fouling plugs, have not seen much, if anything of this same issue for the Merc.

Post by **Tom Keels** » April 20th, 2005, 8:39 am

dstockwell wrote:
Tom Keels wrote:Wil can tell you about his plug buying experience.
Does not Will have a Yamaha HPDI, of which there is all kinds of documentation that they are notorious for fouling plugs, have not seen much, if anything of this same issue for the Merc.

Yes he does. My point is he can tell you the problems with mixing and matching plugs.

Joe Kowalski can tell you the fun we had when Auto Zone sold him "crossover" plugs for his merc 225 offshore.

chugbug · Post by **chugbug** » April 20th, 2005, 9:41 am

Autozone does sell NGK plugs. I can't imagine a 2-stroke engine that won't run on them. They come factory in most don't they?

Post by **Tom Keels** » April 20th, 2005, 9:43 am

chugbug wrote:Autozone does sell NGK plugs. I can't imagine a 2-stroke engine that won't run on them. They come factory in most don't they?

Not saying they don't sell them. Just saying don't let them sell you an "equivalent".