got 3 plugs out of the 5 - other two are slightly tighter so are soaking in a bath of penetrating fluid until tomorrow morning.

but look at those plugs!!!

only excuse I have was being lulled into a false sense of security by the garage who did the servicing that the plugs last for 60,000 miles .... well these clearly don't appear to be platinum so should have been replaced a long long time ago ..... my bad really.

I'm not 100% sure, but I thought a pointed electrode is one sign that I've used to identify platinum? On my tintop the platinum ones are pointed, standard copper electrodes have a flat face.

But I wasn't sure even platinum can last 60k miles?

I agree, Plantinum plugs have pointed electrodes just like those

Yup look like platinum to me.

Worn out platinuim plugs to me

Platinum plugs last a very long time in Mazda's for example the are not scheduled for replacement in the "life of the vehicle".
Most manufacturers specify around 50,000 to 60,000 miles.

Also on modern engines within platinum plugs the gap is set very wide compared with traditional old style ignition systems.

[Edited on 29/3/14 by britishtrident]

Gap does lookpretty big- maybe in the 1mm range? I think mine are 0.9 from factory. Clean the tip, if the edges of the nipple are sharp it's not worn.



Don;t look bad compared to...



[Edited on 29/3/14 by coyoteboy]

Well you learn something everyday.

Im sure the last set of pt plugs I bought weree not pointy ... but that was in astra gte 16 valve days.

Im replacing them as their time is overdue.... and managed to get the last 2 out