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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Spark plugs

NGK BPR5es or BPR6ES in a 1500 ?
Scott Coe

Or just BP5ES /BP6ES, I understand the lower the number the hotter it gets
Scott Coe

Scott,
you don't need the R, IIRC the Midget 1500 changed the plug specified with a certain engine number but that was when the engines were brand new and standard, your might vary.

What does the Driver's Hadnbook say for Champion?

NGK show BP5E or BP5ES or upgrade to BPR5EIX whatever they are, E or Es will work, I've used both.

Later I'll look in Terry Horler's book for you.
Nigel Atkins

Thanks Nigel
A few weeks ago I put some accuspark plugs in, the 3 pronged variety, they ran fine but recently it's crap starting from cold, put the old NGKs back in and it started well
Scott Coe

Scott,
the Accuspark bundles really are too good to be true, previously HT leads have been poor and I've wondered about the plugs but not seen reports. Some bits they sell are good, others not so good and could be bettered for performance and reliability - but many owners don't need the classic to run that well or often so wouldn't know or care.

Like tyres and oil, spark plugs are a very underrated components with many owners keeping them well passed their best let alone optimum. Like the HT leads some say if they're working leave them but they don't consider how well they're working or that they may produce intermittent faults.

Have this from the Archives as I can't find my post with dates and cross-reference of Champion numbers -

Robert (Bob) Midget Turbo, England - Posted 26 April 2009 at 20:52:04 UK time
"You should use NGK 6 ES. The only reason for using the 5 ESs is if the car is burning loads of oil and fouling the plugs. I assume it is not. I personally wouldn't have champion plugs given!1"

Bob with short and sweet (for him). :)

PS - if you put up your 'Vehicle profile' for view it would save guessing or remembering (no chance with me) what year (and type) your model is.
Nigel Atkins

Funnily enough I've kept the old HT leads in the boot just in case !! I'll put my vehicle profile for view
Scott Coe

5s all the way! 6s just soot up and run like crap.

Even on my 100hp 1500 5s work just fine, no need for the colder plug.
Malcolm Le Chevalier

Ive found that NKG BP7ES works best on my slightly hot 1330 engine.
G Lazarus

"The only reason for using the 5 ESs is if the car is burning loads of oil and fouling the plugs"
"6s just soot up and run like crap."

Is it true for 1275cc engines too ?
CH Hamon

Cedric,
1275s normally use BP6ES (or BP6E) and usually are good on those. The engines and their owners may have different requirements and/or views.

Having, checked and adjusted your tappets, (CB points), plugs, timing and carbs see how you go on reasonably fresh 6s if they are are in good condition, if they're more than a two or three years old then get new ones to be sure of performance.

But this stuff is over my head and there are many much more knowledgeable posters on here about this so as always consider I could be wrong.

Nigel Atkins

Old NGK back in and a 37 mile run resulting in a plug a light grey colour, accuspark plugs in the bin !!! And it started better too
Thanks everyone
Scott Coe

Great.

For future reference -

5 or 6 to what year of 1500?
Nigel Atkins

BP5ES and registered 2nd September 1977
Scott Coe

I've uploaded the chassis number etc to my details
Scott Coe

Scott,
thanks for updating with info.

For 'Vehicle profile' if you click the link to mine, at the side of my name and location, you'll see what sort of thing is displayed for those that bother to look.

If you want to display your 'Vehicle profile' then you also need to go into 'Customise', link at top of this page on right, then at the very bottom of the page it takes you to you have No/Yes option boxes to -
Display a link to a summary of my vehicles with my posts (if you set to Yes, you still have to mark each vehicle as viewable).

Nigel Atkins

I tried Accuspark plugs and I too found them poor and went back to NGK. I use BP7ES but I have 1330ccs and 95 bhp so 7s needed.
Chris Hasluck

This thread was discussed between 28/11/2019 and 11/12/2019

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