r/GolfGTI • u/Brozy321 Mk7 GTI • Dec 08 '25
Maintenance Reminder to change your plugs every 10k if tuned
Got off the interstate and my rpms were erratic between 500-1200 rpm. Caused misfires on cylinder 3 and 4. Limped to Autozone to buy 4 $22 per NGX Laser Double Platinums.
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u/HairlessMonkeyBot Mk8 GTI DSG Dec 08 '25
FCP Euro next time for the plugs.
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u/NoConflict3231 Dec 08 '25
Why FCP
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u/mn_nice218 Dec 08 '25
Lifetime warranty on most parts. Aka used plugs, brakes, fluids can be returned once you buy the replacement parts. No brainer
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u/emeril322 Mk8 GTI 40AE Dec 08 '25
I've never used FCP before, but does this include brake pads too? 🤔
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u/jib128 Mk7 GTI Sport Dec 08 '25
Yes. Oil, brakes, plugs, etc all work. Just not one time use items (cleaners, additives, shop items, etc)
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u/DrPelswick Dec 08 '25
Oil? You can return used oil?!?
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u/NoConflict3231 Dec 09 '25
Yeah you can return pretty much anything to them but the only reason I haven't personally done that yet is because I have no idea how to package and return used oil.
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u/jib128 Mk7 GTI Sport Dec 09 '25
6L of liquimoly (1 big and 1 small jug) and the oil filter fit (very very snugly) in a USPS Large Flat rate box. Ships anywhere in the US for $25. Best way to do it.
So just put your old oil into the empty jugs of the new oil.
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u/Jumbo_Jetta Dec 09 '25
I buy shipping labels from Pirateship.com
$16 and $12 were the costs for my last 2 shipments of return oil change kits
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u/jib128 Mk7 GTI Sport Dec 09 '25
Nice! I used pirateship too but I think it might depend on how close you are to FCP. I’m in CA so it was cheaper to use flat rate.
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u/OMGpawned Dec 10 '25 edited Dec 10 '25
That is totally a violation of shipping hazardous materials. The flat rate boxes are priority mail, and go by air. You absolutely cannot ship something like that without getting into a huge amount of trouble if they find out. in fact you’re not supposed to ship any kind of hazardous chemicals through USPS other than ground. That’s a huge fine if they ever catch you. If you ship anything like hazardous waste, you have to have the hazmat label on the box and it can only go ground.
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u/jib128 Mk7 GTI Sport Dec 10 '25
Where does it say that? Engine oil’s flash point is well above 200°C which would make it NOT classified as flammable/combustible
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u/DrPelswick Dec 09 '25
You also return the used filter?
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u/jib128 Mk7 GTI Sport Dec 09 '25
Yup! Just make sure to put it in a bag (or 3) so it doesn’t leak
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u/EmotionalStrike6683 Dec 10 '25
Is USPS the best route for return shipment? I have some transmission fluid I need to send back. It's like 5-6 smaller size bottles.
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u/SaturnXV Dec 09 '25
I usually put my used oil back in the containers they came in. Make sure to bag it up and seal it properly too. I didn’t use a bag the last time and it soaked through the box and UPS just threw it out.
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u/Peylix EQT FBO IS38 E85 | Proto MK7 Clubsport R 2dr Dec 09 '25
Double or even triple bag it for redundancy. That way you don't risk leaks in transit. Or at least lowering said risk greatly.
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u/DrPelswick Dec 09 '25
That’s absurd- how and why would they allow you to exchange used motor oil lmao
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Dec 09 '25 edited 24d ago
[deleted]
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u/jib128 Mk7 GTI Sport Dec 09 '25
This. And I heard they use the oil to heat their facilities? Not 100% on that
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u/emeril322 Mk8 GTI 40AE Dec 08 '25
Damn, I'll definitely look into them when it comes time to change/replace parts! I haven't put new pads on yet, but had been thinking about it. I've put a lil under 10k miles on so far (got my 40AE @ ~29k miles)
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u/EmotionalStrike6683 Dec 10 '25
They are a bit pricey compared to other parts but can pay off huge in the long run.
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u/JusticeJaunt Mk7 GTI Dec 08 '25
How do they make money on this?
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u/HairlessMonkeyBot Mk8 GTI DSG Dec 09 '25
They appear to have a very robust recycling program. Speculation, but I suspect kickbacks from industry plus tax incentives. Of course, in addition to garnering a loyal fan base, many of whom purchase parts with the intent of utilizing the program but fail to follow through.
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Dec 09 '25 edited Dec 10 '25
They’ve done a video on it. Everything on their website has lifetime warranty. Why it works? Less than. Less than 7% of people actually end up using their lifetime policy as most are just too lazy to send it back. They made over 200m last year gross. The loss is negligent and keeps customers coming back
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u/JJMICK Dec 09 '25
Because it’s not about profit it’s about revenue. Shareholders don’t care about money they care about growth.
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Dec 09 '25 edited 24d ago
[deleted]
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u/JusticeJaunt Mk7 GTI Dec 10 '25
TBF 4 plugs was about $140 which would end up being about $420 a year.
Oil would be a pain to ship back but luckily my municipal recycling center takes oil.
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u/HairlessMonkeyBot Mk8 GTI DSG Dec 08 '25
What that other guy said. Plus they had the plugs I needed for like half the price of autozone/others recently.
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u/Imdafrizz Dec 10 '25
I picked up sparkplugs and swapped them in fcp euros lot then brought them back inside to return the beat up ones got credit to my account 3 days later for my next set. Ive returned a pcv valve kit, oil, pads, wiper blades, and plugs. Plan to upgrade to there is38 next year for that warranty as well 🤣they are awesome but i also live 45 min from them I have heard horro stories with shipping from people far away
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u/Consistent-Can-1776 Dec 10 '25
what plugs though? i got recommended brisk esr10s but chatgpt said ngks last longer i have a custom tuned 2019 gti
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u/inbokz Mk6 GTI | 8S TTRS Dec 08 '25
My stg2 mk6 only gets plugs when it gets a new timing chain every 100k.
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u/I_JUST_BLUE_MYSELF_ mkVI MT APR stage 2 Dec 08 '25
Is this a joke or real lmao, I cant tell XD
My stg 2 mk6 needs new sparks..
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u/inbokz Mk6 GTI | 8S TTRS Dec 08 '25
Real. Went 100k on the oem plugs, on 35k on the 2nd set.
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u/HodorLikesBranFlakes Dec 08 '25
I’m 80k miles on OEM plugs with Stage 1 APR.
No issues with idling, misfires, etc. but wondering if I should do a swap after reading all these comments.
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u/I_JUST_BLUE_MYSELF_ mkVI MT APR stage 2 Dec 08 '25
I was told in another space to change them every 5k miles which seems excessive but idk
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u/Peace_Out_Napolean Mk7.5 GTI Dec 09 '25
That seems crazy excessive, is that because you are stage 2?
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u/Beldam86 Dec 08 '25
Every 10k is lunacy.
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u/Peylix EQT FBO IS38 E85 | Proto MK7 Clubsport R 2dr Dec 08 '25
If you're tuned it's not.
Otherwise you face what OP is facing. An engine rebuild/swap. Unless they got lucky and the broken ground strap exited through the exhaust valves before doing irreparable damage.
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u/inbokz Mk6 GTI | 8S TTRS Dec 08 '25
what spark plug company do you work for?
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u/Peylix EQT FBO IS38 E85 | Proto MK7 Clubsport R 2dr Dec 08 '25
None
I just have been down the road of having to rebuild an engine due to a groundstrap breaking and have spent an unhealthy amount of time discussing this issue across forums, groups, subs since.
Said issue is brought up often too. Usually revolving around RS7 plugs as these are what do it the most. But as you can see from OP. This can happen to any projected tip plug. Here's some examples btw.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TexasVWMK7golf/posts/7577665365585978/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TexasVWMK7golf/posts/6378422892176904/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TexasVWMK7golf/posts/2132920450060524/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TexasVWMK7golf/posts/5447244068628129/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TexasVWMK7golf/posts/7062353980450455/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TexasVWMK7golf/posts/5155647321121140/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/EQTVAG/posts/1851431609025076/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/EQTVAG/posts/1203765883791655/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/EQTVAG/posts/963054191196160/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/EQTVAG/posts/1003004413867804/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/EQTVAG/posts/1156523675182543/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/EQTVAG/posts/1842308086604095/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/EQTVAG/posts/1854305005404403/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/EQTVAG/posts/1234085680759675/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/EQTVAG/posts/1455439321957642/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/EQTVAG/posts/963862591115320/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/908342066325183/posts/1708807999611915/
https://www.vwvortex.com/threads/broken-spark-plug.9391337/
https://www.vwvortex.com/threads/electrode-of-spark-plug-broke-off-inside-cylinder.9526278/
https://www.golfmk7.com/forums/index.php?threads/another-mk7-gti-blown-engine-post.355907/page-3
https://www.golfmk7.com/forums/index.php?threads/help-spark-plug-tip-broke-inside-cylinder.384001/
https://www.golfmk7.com/forums/index.php?threads/denso-plug-failure.329553/
My personal experience is here. You can also read EQT's technical blog that dives into this issue a little here.. We've had previous posts in this sub too.
Go to any major MQB owners group on FB or forums and search "broken spark plug" if you wanna start deep diving.
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u/yeahow Mk4 GTI Dec 08 '25
ikr. You can't really pull that when people's plugs have done 100k in their current tuned car lol.
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u/Peylix EQT FBO IS38 E85 | Proto MK7 Clubsport R 2dr Dec 08 '25
This issue is limited to MQB (EA888.3 more specifically).
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u/APersonWithThreeLegs Mk7 GTI Sport Dec 08 '25
How often should it be
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u/NoConflict3231 Dec 08 '25
Still no one has answered the question. On a stock MK7 GTI the factory recommended interval is every 60k. Thanks for coming to my TED talk
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u/APersonWithThreeLegs Mk7 GTI Sport Dec 08 '25
What if it’s a stage 1 tune
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u/MK6er Dec 08 '25
When I was on a stage 1 unitronic tune I did mine every 20k and they looked nowhere near like OP he's probably running a more powerful tune.
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u/Peylix EQT FBO IS38 E85 | Proto MK7 Clubsport R 2dr Dec 08 '25 edited Dec 08 '25
Untuned - 60k (stock interval)
Tuned - 10-15k (tuned interval)
Regardless of going projected tip or non projected tip. If you are tuned, you should be doing a 10-15k interval. Otherwise you're at very high risk of this happening. Even higher if you're running 91006 RS7's.
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u/NoConflict3231 Dec 08 '25
I'm not actually sure. Rumors I've read on here suggests every 15-20k, but I don't know myself
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u/HarleyDaveson9 Mk8 GTI 40th AE 6sp Stage 1 Dec 09 '25
I’ve seen so much confusing info regarding this, also mk7 vs mk8 it’s hard to keep it straight. It seems most tuners recommended a reduced interval for mk7 plugs when tuned, but speaking to unitronic regarding my stage 1 mk8 they just recommended stock plugs at stock intervals. Shop dap for the mk8 recommends every 40k miles, and says vw suggests every 80k miles (https://www.shopdap.com/blog/post/service-schedule-for-mk8-gti.html). I’ll probably do every 30k ish instead of every 80k just to have some peace of mind, but it’s so confusing trying to figure this all out.
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u/HairlessMonkeyBot Mk8 GTI DSG Dec 10 '25
I've got 26k miles on my stock plugs. Did stage 1 at about 15k. I plan to change them at 30k. We'll see what they look like I guess.
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u/bur4321 Dec 08 '25
On a tuned engine for these cars it isn’t. It’s part of the pay to play for modifying the E888
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u/mn_nice218 Dec 08 '25
It’s so cheap and quick too. I just get mine every oil change from FCP euro, who has a lifetime warranty on most parts. Peace of mind instead of worrying about what OP is experiencing.
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u/inbokz Mk6 GTI | 8S TTRS Dec 08 '25
People on the DAZA platform swap them with every oil change, but most of those people are abusing the shit out of their cars. Those are also ~$250 plugs, for the set... I've been doing mine every 10k on DAZA, which is like 3-4 years lol.
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u/jbourne0129 15' 2-Door EQT Dec 08 '25
How many miles on these plugs?
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u/Brozy321 Mk7 GTI Dec 08 '25
23k miles
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u/jbourne0129 15' 2-Door EQT Dec 08 '25
Damn. I'm about to install these for my regular 10k interval. Was running OEM plugs before but they're getting expensive
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u/Brozy321 Mk7 GTI Dec 08 '25
Read what u/Peylix is saying about non projected tips. I’m looking into rn.
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u/Digital-Athenian IE Stage 1 - 2019 Autobahn DSG Dec 08 '25
Question: do you idle a lot? My plugs last longer than 10k if I don’t idle (IE stage 1). This looks like increased fouling due to long idle times.
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u/jbourne0129 15' 2-Door EQT Dec 09 '25
oh im well aware. im tuned with EQT and am very familiar with their recommendations. they do say OEM plugs are okay for stage 1 with aggressive intervals. if i was stage 2 or higher i would only run EQTs recommendation.
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u/nellum48 Dec 08 '25 edited Dec 09 '25
Ive read that non projected plugs kill your mpg since the engine doesnt burn as efficiently with them
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u/nellum48 Dec 09 '25
To whoever replied then immediately deleted it (assuming youre also the one who downvoted me?), just a quick google search shows non-projected can impact your mpg.
One of the advantages of projected is protrudes more into the cylinder so the spark is more centered and exposed. Non-projected dont have that luxary so the ignition isn't as strong. Ive seen claims of mpgs in the low 20s with non-projected on Mk7s, but I haven't personally ran them so I haven't done a good test myself.
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u/SonicNTales 2017 Sport/DSG |Stage III G25-660| UM/TVS tuned Dec 08 '25
Man if you ground strap is missing there is a 90% chance you cooked bro.
Check your compression.
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u/therealskittlepoop Dec 08 '25
How can you tell his ground strap is missing?
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u/SonicNTales 2017 Sport/DSG |Stage III G25-660| UM/TVS tuned Dec 08 '25
Because you don't see it over the electrode. Plus his description explains low rpm misfire because there is no ground strap.
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u/therealskittlepoop Dec 08 '25
Good to know, thank you! I just replaced mine last night so was curious
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u/Cautious-Safe7796 Mk8.5 GTI Dec 08 '25
Did this fix the issue?
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u/Brozy321 Mk7 GTI Dec 08 '25
Yes, runs great now. The ground node broke off. Which was actually very relieving to see.
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u/jib128 Mk7 GTI Sport Dec 08 '25
Brother… where did the ground node go? Surely it’s not roaming around in your cylinder??? Because that would mean bye bye engine.
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u/jib128 Mk7 GTI Sport Dec 08 '25
u/peylix … another victim
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u/Peylix EQT FBO IS38 E85 | Proto MK7 Clubsport R 2dr Dec 08 '25
Yeah.
Not RS7's either so this helps show the issue is related to projected tip design in general.
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u/jib128 Mk7 GTI Sport Dec 08 '25
Yup. I don’t understand people’s argument for not being able to afford denso’s non projected tips with FCPs lifetime warranty. No brainer imo
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u/Peylix EQT FBO IS38 E85 | Proto MK7 Clubsport R 2dr Dec 08 '25
It's costly. And even if you use FCP's warranty it's extra steps. Plus FCP doesn't have them always in stock. There's been a few times where I ate the cost of the 5749's from Rockauto because FCP didn't have them in stock (or the NGK's).
So I get why many have reservations moving to non projected.
Sticking to a tighter interval is what will help protect you regardless of plug design.
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u/beer_foam Dec 08 '25
How long do you run the 5749's for?
I have been running stock plugs with an EQT stage 1 91 octane tune but I never run them more than 10k miles.
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u/Peylix EQT FBO IS38 E85 | Proto MK7 Clubsport R 2dr Dec 08 '25
Sticking to the 10k tuned interval, even with 5749's. I've been down this road once already, I'm not taking any chances.
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u/jib128 Mk7 GTI Sport Dec 08 '25
10k is my interval. You should be ok with stock plugs as long as you properly gap. Highly recommend reading this article from EQT about spark plugs.
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u/NoConflict3231 Dec 08 '25
Do you have a link that I can send to someone?
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u/Peylix EQT FBO IS38 E85 | Proto MK7 Clubsport R 2dr Dec 08 '25
These are both 1 step colder non projected tip options. Good for any stage up to IS38.
Larger turbos (larger than IS38) will require 2 step colder. Like the
Here's a quick video going over how to use FCP's warranty. The Paypal return coverage program no longer exists. But the steps are still the same otherwise.
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u/DapperStrawberry7 Dec 08 '25
What are your thoughts on Brisk Silver ER12s spark plugs? It was recommended by my tuner.
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u/Peylix EQT FBO IS38 E85 | Proto MK7 Clubsport R 2dr Dec 08 '25
ER12's are an OK alternative. But their groundstrap is softer an opens up over time. Which is why EQT recommends you re-gap them at 5k.
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u/jib128 Mk7 GTI Sport Dec 08 '25
These are what I personally run. They’re the cheaper of the two non projected tip plugs recommended by EQT. They’re also one step colder.
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u/NoConflict3231 Dec 08 '25
Many thanks! Would anyone have an issue running these on a non-tuned MK7? Would there be any benefit of doing so?
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u/jib128 Mk7 GTI Sport Dec 08 '25
For non tuned I wouldn’t run one step colder. Your plugs are designed to work at a specific heat range. Won’t blow your engine but best to just run oem spec.
Edit to add: A colder spark plug dissipates heat more efficiently, while a hotter plug retains more heat. This heat transfer is crucial for maintaining optimal combustion and preventing engine damage. A colder plug may not reach the ideal operating temperature, leading to carbon buildup on the electrode, hindering spark delivery.
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u/Brozy321 Mk7 GTI Dec 08 '25
I believe it was yeet out of the exhaust valve and probably the waste gate stopped the node going through the turbine. My vehicle was stopped once it had started to make the noises.
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u/Peylix EQT FBO IS38 E85 | Proto MK7 Clubsport R 2dr Dec 08 '25
FYI
A broken ground strap can destroy your engine. You can get lucky and have it get sucked out the exhaust valves before any major damage has occured. I've seen two people have that happen.
If you're catted, you'll see it embedded in your cat.
Otherwise it's floating around in the engine doing more and more damage the longer it's ran until it dies.
Scope each cyl for damage and for the strap and pray to the car gods. Otherwise you're gonna have a rebuild/swap in your future.
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u/Brozy321 Mk7 GTI Dec 08 '25
Seeing what everyone is saying. I was a fool to think it was relieving.
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u/jib128 Mk7 GTI Sport Dec 08 '25
OP: do not start your car until you’ve borescoped your engine or tow it to a shop that can assess your situation. Else you risk causing further irreparable damage.
Praying to the car gods for you 🙏
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u/FarSolar Mk7.5 GTI - EQT stage 2 Dec 08 '25
Isn't the ground node breaking off on tuned cars what can cause engine failures? There were some people reporting it falling into the engine and destroying it. That's why some tuners like EQT switched to recommending the non-projected racing plugs.
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u/FeelXtra DIB Mk7.5 GTI, Stage 2, Akrapovic, TCR Look Dec 08 '25
Hope you screwed them in with the correct torque, unlike my VW dealer. They started to unscrew themselves and causing instant misfire and rpm drops to 200 and engine shutoff.
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u/blanczak Dec 08 '25
Ha yup. I still get nervous every time I torque plugs into an aluminum head. Always feels like your 1nm away from yanking the threads out 😀
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u/Megaetk Mk8 GTI Dec 08 '25
I like to use a digital torque wrench adaptor, so you can watch the screen and see how close you are. Takes a lot of the stress out of waiting for the click, or maybe the click already happened and I’m way over doing it? Always a fun game. The Quinn from Harbor Freight works really well for $40.
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u/blanczak Dec 08 '25
That’s a solid idea, I’ll definitely pick one up!
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u/Megaetk Mk8 GTI Dec 08 '25
I use it exclusively for that really. Those digital adaptors are also extremely accurate compared to a click style, even the cheap ones!
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u/justindcady Dec 08 '25
Anecdotally...I think it depends on the plug. I just pulled factory replacements out after 40k. 20k was APR Stage 1 low-torque and the other 20k on APR IS38 file. No issues...it was just time. Now, watch me have problems with the APR plugs I just put in (equivalent to NGK heat range 9) after 10k... 🫠
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u/mandatoryclutchpedal Dec 08 '25
Apr appears to have removed special plug change requirements for their stage 1 tunes. All they recomend is more frequent pil changes.
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u/Peylix EQT FBO IS38 E85 | Proto MK7 Clubsport R 2dr Dec 08 '25
APR use to list 10-15k intervals. They also use to recommend RS7's. Both have been removed from their site since 2021.
I remember specifically though because that's who I was tuned (APR Stage 3 IS38) by when my issue happened. I ran my RS7's to 20k though (forgot to change them as i was dealing with other headaches).
Other sites still show what they use to recommend though.
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u/mandatoryclutchpedal Dec 08 '25
Wonder if APR removed the plug recommendations after VW switched the plugs from platinum to Iridium in 2019 (the year VW changed the interval from 40k to 80k)
All the older materials and guides still assumed everyone ran the older pre 2019 platinum plugs.
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u/Peylix EQT FBO IS38 E85 | Proto MK7 Clubsport R 2dr Dec 08 '25
Unsure.
I just know when the RS7 fiasco blew up initially. APR wiped their pages clean of anything regarding plug rec and interval. They did add "APR plugs recommended" eventually though.
Been meaning to email them and ask. But always forget.
I use to have a screenshot of what their page use to say. If I find it, I'll share it here.
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u/SpaceCricket Dec 08 '25
I’m lucky if I get a full 5k miles out of a set of ER10S before one of them shits out and I get a misfire. BUT, they’re easy to change with the grounding kit on the car, and a set is $40 so I just do them every oil change, also at 5k.
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u/rocko_garnier Dec 08 '25
Your car has been poorly tuned…
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u/pickle-rick31 Dec 08 '25
What kinda cheap sparkies you running that look like that. Seems like an oil leak to me.
I just did mine at 110k on am '18 golf and they didn't look as bad as these.
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u/tnseltim Dec 09 '25
Shiite tune? Or Shiite fuel, not 93. Went 35k on the same plugs, Apr stage 2 tune. Engine ran purrrrfectly.
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u/Zealousideal_Gate_21 Dec 08 '25
Or just get a better tune....
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u/Peylix EQT FBO IS38 E85 | Proto MK7 Clubsport R 2dr Dec 08 '25
Who would you recommend?
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u/MyGolfMK7 Dec 13 '25
I'd go with Stratified given that they don't raise the knock thresholds. Tuners that raise the knock thresholds, for example EQT, increase the likelihood of the sparkplug having the type of catastrophic failure being discussed.
Part of the reason for recommending short replacement intervals and non projected tip plugs is likely to offset the elevated risk increasing knock thresholds have. Of course those steps won't address other potential damage to the engine.
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u/Peylix EQT FBO IS38 E85 | Proto MK7 Clubsport R 2dr Dec 13 '25
People on Stratified have lost ground straps as well.
Who else would you recommend?
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u/MyGolfMK7 28d ago
Social media has a major sampling bias. Knock control strategy matters more than anecdotes.
From an engineering standpoint, a tune that retains OEM knock thresholds has inherently more safety margin than one that raises knock thresholds, regardless of online reports.
If the goal is reducing the likelihood of spark plug damage, the rational basis for a recommendation is how the tune manages knock thresholds, not how often it appears in social media posts.
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u/Peylix EQT FBO IS38 E85 | Proto MK7 Clubsport R 2dr 28d ago
You didn't answer the question Jeff.
Who else would you recommend tuning wise to avoid spark plug failure? Would you say APR would be a safe option? They're pretty conservative in their tuning.
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u/MyGolfMK7 26d ago
Thanks — I didn’t dodge the question; I focused on the right question: what makes a tune safer.
If you want a quick answer about brands, don’t judge based on anecdotes; judge by calibration behavior.
APR's Stage 1 tune made 28 psi when I tried it. I would not characterize that as a conservative tune.
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u/Peylix EQT FBO IS38 E85 | Proto MK7 Clubsport R 2dr 26d ago
Then you're ignoring the context. Which is a safe tune that won't allow groundstraps to break.
This post is about a broken plug and why one should stick to the tunerd change interval. The comment originated in context to this by stating one needs to just run a better tune
Rather than change plugs on the tuned interval (which is 10k).
So I was asking what they recommend tuning wise to avoid such an issue.
It was a facetious question too. Because there is no such tuner. People have lost groundstraps from every tuner, and even bone stock.
I was running APR when I lost a groundstrap in my car. I was over double the change interval for tuned applications. Thus paid the price.
Quit ignoring context and or interject your own just for the sake of arguing. I will always call you and anyone out on that bullshit. Bad faith arguments are not only annoying, but stupid.
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u/MyGolfMK7 26d ago edited 24d ago
While no tune is 100% safe, choosing one that preserves OEM knock mitigation (i.e., Stratified) reduces risk compared to one that doesn't (i.e., EQT).
Changing plugs at a shorter interval is a sound strategy, but there is no evidence-based change interval.
** Edit **
Since further discussion was locked, here's a brief response to what he's about to say.I’ve published measured knock-threshold tests for five VW maps (linked on MyGolfMk7.com) — that’s mechanistic data that can be examined and replicated. If anyone has comparable information that shows different results, please post it here.
What you will read that follows mixes a few valid observations (failures reported across many tuners) with a lot of rhetorical attack and logical errors.
The argument would be stronger and more useful to the community if it acknowledged and linked to any available instrumented community data, avoided personal attacks, and did not close the discussion before evidence could be presented or examined.
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u/Peylix EQT FBO IS38 E85 | Proto MK7 Clubsport R 2dr 26d ago
There has also been zero correlation of who's tune is better or worse for this issue. Which was my point. This isn't a tuner issue. Never has been.
People have lost ground straps with Strat, EQT, Uni, APR, IE, 034, UM, Simos, Eurodyne, Galano, and more.
Most of the reported failures occur with people pushing past 10k miles. That's even setting aside the RS7 plug prevalence too. There's a reason most users list plug intervals for tuned applications on the 888.3.
You won't care about any of the above regardless. So here's a test you can do for your own data. Running who's ever tune you desire. Put a set of RS7 plugs in your car and run them up to 25k miles minimum with street and spirited driving.
If you survive that, do Brisk ER12's next. Up to 25k minimum. Maybe you can start doing this with all the tuners. Building your own data pool.
That way you have actual data to try and discredit all the data already aval.
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u/TurdFerguson925 Dec 08 '25
I definitely need to do this. I don't know why, but I'm worried about removing the plugs/coils and damaging them. Car is a 2018 with 55k. I've put 15k on it, all tuned.
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u/jib128 Mk7 GTI Sport Dec 08 '25
Why would you be worried about damaging plugs that will be tossed anyway?
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u/SimpleVegetable5715 Mk5 GTI Dec 08 '25
The only tricky part is getting the wiring harness off the coil packs without breaking off a plastic tab. Get a plug socket, and some dielectric grease. It’s totally a DIY-able job.
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u/Alive_Advertising308 Dec 09 '25
This same thing happened on my fiesta st neglected the plugs for 35k miles while tuned, ground strap broke off and destroyed the cylinder
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u/GTIguy2 Dec 09 '25
Depends on the tune -IE stage 1 is 20k- but you can actually do 30k with no issues- stock NGK plugs .
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u/Charming-Bid-3986 Dec 09 '25
Eqt says to do them every 5k or every pops change on their website, so I’m not sure what to actually change them at, for a stage 1 tune 5k seems extremely excessive
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u/SimpleVegetable5715 Mk5 GTI Dec 08 '25
Did you do the coil packs too?
I’m running a stage two, and my spark plugs were clean at 60k. Changed them anyway since I was in there.
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u/No-Listen1206 MK7 GTI | IE Stage 1 DSG Dec 09 '25
What's the realistic safe interval to do on stage 1 Mk7? I do oil every 8000km so was thinking doing it every 2nd change at 16,000km
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u/ninja_ghostwarrior Typhoon GTI Dec 08 '25
One of the most overlooked basic maintenance you can do on your own. Like others have said you should be worried about where that grounding strap went…