Is it OK for spark plug wire to touch valve cover?

[mattbruns3]

Is it OK for one of the spark plug wires in a 2001 Toyota Camry to touch the valve cover?

I changed my spark plugs and spark plug wires but the clip that holds the wires broke so I have them tied together with zip ties. One of them still touches the engine. Is that going to burn the insulation on the wire?

 

[Furious]

If your valve cover gets over 600 degrees then you got bigger problems.

 

[dnewton3]

Vibration is much more of a concern; that will cause a wear through condition of the insulation.
The temp for the valve cover isn't hot enough to burn thru (assuming it's a good quality plug lead)

 

[tnt_motorsports]

Is it OK for one of the spark plug wires in a 2001 Toyota Camry to touch the valve cover?

I changed my spark plugs and spark plug wires but the clip that holds the wires broke so I have them tied together with zip ties. One of them still touches the engine. Is that going to burn the insulation on the wire?

It will be fine. If you are still concerned order a clip of Amazon.

 

[Runalot]

It will be fine. If you are still concerned order a clip of Amazon.

Agreed.

Or dig around your garage and find something to slip over the spark plug wires to act as a sheath.

Another alternative...zip tie the plug wires together, then secure the zip tie holding the wires with another zip tie secured to something (bracket, bolt, etc....). This provides a bit of isolation from vibration. And you get to use more zip ties

I've used all of these methods at one point or another.

 

[spasm3]

If concerned you could put high temp split loom on the wires. This one is good to 300F.

https://www.amazon.com/MGI-SpeedWar...=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9zZWFyY2hfdGhlbWF0aWM&th=1

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Maybe these things might help

 

[clinebarger]

Tesa 51036 anti abrasion tape.

 

[grasscutter]

What I do is slide a piece of hose over the spark plug wire if I'm worried about it grounding out on something.

Then I put a zip tie around the hose holding the wire and anchor it to something.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

No. Added engine heat will only harm wires. Go buy some plastic wire loom and snake it over the wire. It's cheap enough. Zip tie the ends so it don't move around. Back in the day, spark plug wire had REAL wire in it...not anymore...I think it's some kind of carbon base wire , I dunno. Not as strong as the old stuff. That's why you get burnt spots in them now.

 

[Smoky14]

Not a good idea to tie plug wires together, getting cross fire is possible. Plug wires are put in looms for a reason.
MHO
Smoky

 

[50yr Street Mech]

Yes, I know that, let me clarify. Install wire loom over each wire INDIVIDUALLY. ..,,then let them hang on top of the valve cover. It'll take some of the heat off them. There should be a way to route them correctly using the provided spacer brackets that are on the engine. Are these aftermarket wires ????? If so, they are not always true to length. Normally they are longer to fit different vehicles.

 

[mattbruns3]

Not a good idea to tie plug wires together, getting cross fire is possible. Plug wires are put in looms for a reason.
MHO
Smoky

They are insulated so tieing them together should not cause a cross fire.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

Okay, then don't individually wire loom them. Are you using OEM wires ???? If so, they should clip perfectly where they belong.

 

[Nick1994]

Not good.

I had a 2000 Camry 2.2L, and got a misfire from fairly new spark plug wires rubbing on the valve cover from that exact issue.

I got new holders from the dealership for cheap.

Actually, I had a thread on here about it. Here’s the link:

Link to Thread