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How often should plugs/wires be replaced?
- Thread starter Mark72
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For plugs I'd use the MFG recommended interval unless the plug is a known problem point (such as in some Ford V8s or in aluminum heads and you're worried about galling).
For wires, I'd wait for a misfire code if you don't have the equipment to measure the resistance of the wires against the factory spec.
For wires, I'd wait for a misfire code if you don't have the equipment to measure the resistance of the wires against the factory spec.
Originally Posted By: Mark72
So, in other words, cars can sometimes go 100-150K without needing a tune up?
I went 200K miles on a 99 4.6 Grand Marquis..I have 117K on the 05 4.6 I have now..As long as it is running smooth and getting decent gas mileage I am not touching it..Of coarse all other maintenance is done on time..I will probably let Ford do the tune-up when time comes.
So, in other words, cars can sometimes go 100-150K without needing a tune up?
I went 200K miles on a 99 4.6 Grand Marquis..I have 117K on the 05 4.6 I have now..As long as it is running smooth and getting decent gas mileage I am not touching it..Of coarse all other maintenance is done on time..I will probably let Ford do the tune-up when time comes.
I change my spark plugs every year just because it cost me 12 bucks and takes ten minutes . I also check the resistance on the wires and see if they are all reasonably close in value. I over maintenance my vehicles but if its not a big job to do on your vehicle id do it every 30k that's just my own personal opinion though.
In my opinion, it depends on the quality of the wires/plugs used.
Wires:
I may get flamed for this, but if you buy a good enough quality set of wires, you should be set for the life of your vehicle. I bought a set of Accel wires for my Cavalier back in 2001 and it still runs fine with them now. I will not be changing them until I get a misfire that is plug wire related.
Plugs - Depends on the vehicle and engine type. I change plats every 50 to 75K. Coppers, every 30K. I've never done anything with iridiums.
Wires:
I may get flamed for this, but if you buy a good enough quality set of wires, you should be set for the life of your vehicle. I bought a set of Accel wires for my Cavalier back in 2001 and it still runs fine with them now. I will not be changing them until I get a misfire that is plug wire related.
Plugs - Depends on the vehicle and engine type. I change plats every 50 to 75K. Coppers, every 30K. I've never done anything with iridiums.
Originally Posted By: Mark72
So, in other words, cars can sometimes go 100-150K without needing a tune up?
gasoline cars of OBD-II varieties can go for that mileage w/o a tuneup, provided that:
(a ) they are coil-over-plugs type and no mechanical spark distribution systems (no distributor, plug wires, etc.)
(b ) they run on iridium plugs.
(c ) they are not on the waste spark system setup (that tends to wear out spark plug electrodes faster than non waste-spark system set up, due to twice the spark firing on the electrodes)
If your vehicle does not satisfy any one of these points then, go with the ordinary approach of doing a tune up every 2 ~ 3yrs, or whatever your automobile manufacturer recommends.
Q.
So, in other words, cars can sometimes go 100-150K without needing a tune up?
gasoline cars of OBD-II varieties can go for that mileage w/o a tuneup, provided that:
(a ) they are coil-over-plugs type and no mechanical spark distribution systems (no distributor, plug wires, etc.)
(b ) they run on iridium plugs.
(c ) they are not on the waste spark system setup (that tends to wear out spark plug electrodes faster than non waste-spark system set up, due to twice the spark firing on the electrodes)
If your vehicle does not satisfy any one of these points then, go with the ordinary approach of doing a tune up every 2 ~ 3yrs, or whatever your automobile manufacturer recommends.
Q.
Originally Posted By: ET16
How do you check resistance on wire, by the way? Can you do it with a multimeter set to read Ohms?
Yes, you can check (analogue meter preferred) with meter set to kohms.
In this day-n-age, resistance in spark plug wires no longer a good indication whether the plug wires are good nor not. Over 80%+ of plug wire falures due to HV insulation breakdown (resistance tests still good), while remaining 20% comes from human error (pulled boots, damanged connectivity between the wire and the metal contact crimps, etc.)
Q.
How do you check resistance on wire, by the way? Can you do it with a multimeter set to read Ohms?
Yes, you can check (analogue meter preferred) with meter set to kohms.
In this day-n-age, resistance in spark plug wires no longer a good indication whether the plug wires are good nor not. Over 80%+ of plug wire falures due to HV insulation breakdown (resistance tests still good), while remaining 20% comes from human error (pulled boots, damanged connectivity between the wire and the metal contact crimps, etc.)
Q.
I've replaced a lot of wires in my day, and almost always I see an improvement in how the engine runs afterward. After about 60K on my Suburban, with the very common 5.3L, the engine would bog down at idle, shudder, and then spring back to life, etc. Eventually I replaced the wires and that solved the problem instantly.
These wires were simple 6-inch wires that ran from an individual coil for each cylinder, down to the plug.
These wires were simple 6-inch wires that ran from an individual coil for each cylinder, down to the plug.
For electronic ignition, I change the plugs every 30-50k depending on type of plugs/system.
On my '97 malibu 3100 with 140k miles I'm still running the original wires and the engine runs fine. I changed the platinum plugs out twice now though. I don't like to change the wires anymore than necessary. It's not uncommon to see cars 10+ years old and over 100k miles with their orginal wires and plugs.
Having said that it wouldn't be unreasonable to replace the wires (if applicable) when you change the platinum or iridium plugs at around 60k miles (short trips, hard miles, aged) to 100k miles. You might inspect plugs and wires at 100k and see nothing needs replaced too.
Having said that it wouldn't be unreasonable to replace the wires (if applicable) when you change the platinum or iridium plugs at around 60k miles (short trips, hard miles, aged) to 100k miles. You might inspect plugs and wires at 100k and see nothing needs replaced too.
I have replaced mine wires about every 100,000 miles on my 99 SL2. My previous car had plug wires go bad twice. The Saturn requires plug cleaning or replacement every 10,000 miles due to oil consumption. My thought is all the movement of plug wires has the potential of causing them to fail. I don't want to be 75 miles away from home running on 3 cylinders.
My stepfather has a 94 Corsica with the 3.1. He was having a slight misfire. Local mechanic replaced wires and all three coils. Still misfire. The local school installed new plugs which seemed to help for a while, but misfire returned. I purchased new wires and a mechanic installed them. Problem solved. So what came first? Where to new AC Delco plug wires bad, or did they get damaged when installing all those parts.
My stepfather has a 94 Corsica with the 3.1. He was having a slight misfire. Local mechanic replaced wires and all three coils. Still misfire. The local school installed new plugs which seemed to help for a while, but misfire returned. I purchased new wires and a mechanic installed them. Problem solved. So what came first? Where to new AC Delco plug wires bad, or did they get damaged when installing all those parts.
Wires: No need to replace until it broke.
Plugs: 100-150k miles with platinum plugs.
My LS400 is more than 270k miles has original wires. Last plugs were in at around 150-160k miles.
E430 has more than 130k miles on odometer with original wires. Original plugs were in excellent condition when changed out at 80-85k miles, it could be in service for another 80k miles.
Plugs: 100-150k miles with platinum plugs.
My LS400 is more than 270k miles has original wires. Last plugs were in at around 150-160k miles.
E430 has more than 130k miles on odometer with original wires. Original plugs were in excellent condition when changed out at 80-85k miles, it could be in service for another 80k miles.
I replaced the plugs in both our 2006 Subaru and our 2006 Hyundai in the last couple of weeks. Both cars have just over 100,000 miles, and both were on the original plugs.
There were no drivability issues with either vehicle, nor was there any noticeable change in their performance after replacing the plugs. Since both had over 100,000 miles it was simply time to do it.
There were no drivability issues with either vehicle, nor was there any noticeable change in their performance after replacing the plugs. Since both had over 100,000 miles it was simply time to do it.
Really matters what type and year of car he is asking about.
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