replacing spark plug wires

[IHateMyJob2004]

As logn as you are getting a spark, why do you need to replace these? They are insulated metal. It's not like they rust and the resistance of metals don't change over time? I think it's just a scam to get your money.

 

[Fritzo]

They corrode, they wear, they're subjected to 200+F temps daily, they crack...they should be changed every so often. Especially if your car has problems when it's wet outside.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Originally posted by: Fritzo
They corrode, they wear, they're subjected to 200+F temps daily, they crack...they should be changed every so often. Especially if your car has problems when it's wet outside.

Good points. Doesn''t that jsut warrant a visual inspection though? Not a mandatory replacement?

 

[olds]

If you have an ohm meter you can check them.

 

[funboy6942]

I dont believe the inside of a wire is actuall wire. If you take one apart its more like a cloth string with a coating on it which will wear out. Hell even house wiring wears out and this stuff takes more of an abuse. And I agree with the above. The wiring is supposed to be of a certin ohms. If it is whacked it could play havoc on the computer controlled units that make the spark.
All in all I dont think it is a ploy or scam to have to replace your wires at all and it took alot from me not to want to write just LMAO at the comment the op made
But seriously take one apart theres not a metal wire in there. Maybe back when Henry Ford was making cars but not anymore

 

[geno]

damnit n/m, I thought he was talking about spark plugs themselves

 

[crab]

My van doesn't even have them...just eight coils plopped one on each plug.

 

[43st]

My old Mazda 626 went through 2 sets of spark plug wires in it's 10 year life span with me. Same thing with the Protegé. When it happens it feels like it's operating on only 3 cylinders... and it was.

 

[funboy6942]

Originally posted by: crab
My van doesn't even have them...just eight coils plopped one on each plug.

Dont celebrate too much. Wait till one dies on there. You'd be wishing at that point you had wires. $15 set of wires or a $200 coil (x8).
Just more crap they make to break that causes you to break the bank to fix or have it repaired

 

[bernse]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
If you have an ohm meter you can check them.

Yes. Resistance will build up over time. Be careful though, some new ones (if they're crap) will have just as much resistance as some older ones. Look for solid metallic core wires, like Copper if you can. Make sure they have RF shielding though, or else your radio will keep receiving your engine on every station!

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: funboy42

Originally posted by: crab
My van doesn't even have them...just eight coils plopped one on each plug.

Dont celebrate too much. Wait till one dies on there. You'd be wishing at that point you had wires. $15 set of wires or a $200 coil (x8).
Just more crap they make to break that causes you to break the bank to fix or have it repaired

The coils on my maxima were $60/piece, and that was the absolute lowest I could find them for. Changing them is very easy, but the dealership wanted $600 for the entire job (parts and labour). Needless to say I did them myself and wrote a letter to nissan saying how ridiculous $600 was for that (they refunded me my $300 ).

 

[Insane3D]

What can also happen is they will crack and break, and they will start to arc to nearby metal instead of delivering the energy to the plug. An easy way to check this is to open your hood with the car running in a very dark place. If the wires are arcing, you will see it.

I had a wire go bad once and it was arcing to my fuel line....not a good thing.

 

[funboy6942]

Spark Plug Wires
Spark plug wires are made of a conductive core and typically silicone rubber insulation. The core is usually a carbon impregnated fiber or wire. The conducting core is bent over at the wire end and the boot metal is crimped over the core/insulation of the wire. Many aftermarket wires come with no boots, which allows one to add the boots of choice and cut the wires to the desired length.

I seriously thought wire was no longer used. All the wires I have ever come in contact with were the fiber kind. I have never seen one except on a old old car with a flat head unless that is what they are refering to.

Taken from here.

 

[crab]

Originally posted by: funboy42

Originally posted by: crab
My van doesn't even have them...just eight coils plopped one on each plug.

Dont celebrate too much. Wait till one dies on there. You'd be wishing at that point you had wires. $15 set of wires or a $200 coil (x8).
Just more crap they make to break that causes you to break the bank to fix or have it repaired

Just wait until your single system dies and I blow by you still banging on seven cylinders

Mine are $50 each.

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: bernse

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
If you have an ohm meter you can check them.

Yes. Resistance will build up over time. Be careful though, some new ones (if they're crap) will have just as much resistance as some older ones. Look for solid metallic core wires, like Copper if you can. Make sure they have RF shielding though, or else your radio will keep receiving your engine on every station!

Just about all consumer wires are spiral wound now for that reason. Solid core wires are pretty much strictly for racing the last time I checked...

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Replace them with yellow or blue ones. They make the engine faster.

At least that's the logic if you go by the Riceboy Bible.

- M4H

 

[cavemanmoron]

Replying to Topic: replacing spark plug wires
Created On 06/11/2005 09:54 AM by IHateMyJob2004



Plug wires really do not need to be changed till vehicle runs crappy.

Heck i have one plug wire that after a raib strorm it misfires,and I have not replaced it,
in 3 years of owning that vehicle,after I drive for 5 mins it warms up,
and works normal.

250,000 miles or so on 95 g20.

How many threads are you doing about the vehicle maintanence,LOL.

 

[funboy6942]

Originally posted by: crab

Originally posted by: funboy42

Originally posted by: crab
My van doesn't even have them...just eight coils plopped one on each plug.

Dont celebrate too much. Wait till one dies on there. You'd be wishing at that point you had wires. $15 set of wires or a $200 coil (x8).
Just more crap they make to break that causes you to break the bank to fix or have it repaired

Just wait until your single system dies and I blow by you still banging on seven cylinders

Mine are $50 each.

LOL mine is a Chevy with a helicoil on top of the cap. If that goes its a pocket part at the junk yard and I know how to work on my own stuff so it cost me nothin but the gas I burned to get the stuff
Or I can spend the $15 for the coil but its more of a rush pocketing stuff from the yard

But on a serious tip. The chances of mine going bad is slim and none. For some reason then coil on plug units die regularly so its more I will keep running around you and your 7 banger

 

[Insane3D]

Heck i have one plug wire that after a raib strorm it misfires,and I have not replaced it,
in 3 years of owning that vehicle,after I drive for 5 mins it warms up,
and works normal.

IMO, just cause it will "work" doesn't mean it's right. If the wires are causing a misfire, I'm not quite sure why you wouldn't just replace them. I'm sure when it get's bad enough that it stops working entirely, you might regret your decision. I mean, how much are wires? I can get a set of 8 custom fit Ford Racing wires for my Mustang for $40, and you can get parts store replacements for most cars for under $20.

 

[crab]

Originally posted by: funboy42

Originally posted by: crab

Originally posted by: funboy42

Originally posted by: crab
My van doesn't even have them...just eight coils plopped one on each plug.

Dont celebrate too much. Wait till one dies on there. You'd be wishing at that point you had wires. $15 set of wires or a $200 coil (x8).
Just more crap they make to break that causes you to break the bank to fix or have it repaired

Just wait until your single system dies and I blow by you still banging on seven cylinders

Mine are $50 each.

LOL mine is a Chevy with a helicoil on top of the cap. If that goes its a pocket part at the junk yard and I know how to work on my own stuff so it cost me nothin but the gas I burned to get the stuff
Or I can spend the $15 for the coil but its more of a rush pocketing stuff from the yard

But on a serious tip. The chances of mine going bad is slim and none. For some reason then coil on plug units die regularly so its more I will keep running around you and your 7 banger

Yep...these are all over the junk yards too...but they do seem prone to failure and are ex-freaking-tremely sensitive to water. So, don't wash a Ford mod motor.

I'm more worried about these heads ejecting plugs and sending the threads with them. Thats an awesome feature. Thanks Ford!

 

[Insane3D]

So, don't wash a Ford mod motor.

I love my "old" SB Ford pushrod motor...I hose it down regularly, including the distributor cap, and it starts right up and runs everytime...