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Warning to Carlos & Others -Pulstar Plugs 900 1995

posted by  someone claiming to be augie on  Thu Nov 1 11:55 CST 2007 [RELATED]

A week back Carlos posted an ad asking if anyone had any experience about Pulstar (also called Enerpulse)Spark plugs. I have a subscription to a bimonthly newsletter, called "Motor Watch," and they provide excellent technical advice. I sent him an email and asked for his opinion of these $100/for 4 plugs. Here is Motor Watch's response:


There are a lot of products on the market which improve the spark efficiency. Just opening up the spark plug gap will increase spark efficiency -- although it will decrease plug life. Increasing the gap size and adding multiple electrodes (like the Bosch Platinum +4) will improve efficiency. And the Bosch plugs are good for 100,000 miles and cost a fraction as much.

The Pulstar only offers a 1-year warranty, which is horrible! For that price, they should warranty the plug for at least 5 years!
Some other concerns:

1. Who knows if this company will be around in a year.
2. What will these plugs do to the ignition driver and coil? Will it draw too much power and cause premature coil or ignition system burnout? Who will pay for the $200 ignition module or $1,200 computer which gets fried by the power drain. Each ignition system is designed and engineered to only flow a certain amount of amps to run the coil. If this plug draws more electrical energy (which is what it claims it does), it will eventually tax the transistor driver in the ignition system and cause it to fail. Other high energy systems (e.g. Mallory or MSD) have their own ignition drivers and operate special ignition coils which are designed to provide more power to the spark plugs. This Pulstar plug relys on the stock ignition system -- which will plainly overtax it.
3. What about radio interference? Will it cause static on the AM band?

I'd stay away from them! BTW, the Motor Watch newsletter (sent electronically) is only $19.95 for a 2 year subscription. Each newsletter has 28 pages of great info - car care tips, troubleshooting Q&As, secret warranties, etc. If you are interested, call 410 374-0900. Tell them a longtime member, Chuck Augustine of VA recommended you.






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