spark plug wires

[Dakota1820]

So I haven't gotten better than 28 mpg in the Last 3 tanks the car runs good but I think the wires are original. They say Packard on them. So how do you guys like the omni sparks? And what's the procedure to accuratly test wires? Thanks guys

 

[ARCOgraphite]

pACKARD ARE THE BEST YOU CAN GET IN A RESISTOR WIRE FOR PASSENGER CAR USE iMO

yOU CAN CHECK THE SERIES RESISTANCE, BUT INSULATOR LEAKAGE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT. hARD FOR A SHADE TREE TO TEST. YOU CAN GROUND A PIECE OF TIN FLASHING AND RUN ALONG THE WIRES AT NIGHT AND CHECK FOR LEAKAGE BUT MOSTLY THEY MIGHT LEAK ONLY UNDER LOAD AT LIGHT THROTTLE LEAN MIXTURE

 

[Bgallagher]

What kind of car is it? How many miles?

 

[SLCraig]

I used Belden Premium on all of my Saturns with good luck.

 

[dparm]

Your factory service manual (the one that dealer techs use) should list the resistance figures the wires must meet.

 

[Dakota1820]

98 sl2 with 196,000 miles

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Then it sounds like it's time for some new wires and plugs

Keep the plug insulators clean by using disposable cotton knit gloves during the install. Sweaty hands will lead to flashover (old racing secret win trick #147)

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Even the japanese sourced Packard wire from the USA since it was sooooo gooood (better than Ndenso and TEC). Now thats a big big rec right there. Stay FAR FAR away from NGK wire.

 

[mechtech2]

If internal resistance is high, then you know one is bad.
Also, twist and bend it while testing.
But shorting to the outside is tough to test.
Sometimes misting water from a spray bottle at night and revving it up will show this.
A visual inspection can show 'burn' marks that are leaks.

 

[Dakota1820]

Resistance was a little higher than the new ones but still weren't bad. None were over 8.6 ohms

 

[Vikas]

This is the first time I am hearing "stay far away from NGK cables". Please tell why.

 

[OVERKILL]

Yes, same here. I'm interested to see what the reasoning is.

 

[yonyon]

So far as I know, there are only two ways plug wires are at all likely to reduce fuel economy:

-They're bad enough to cause a misfire.

-Theyre leaking enough RF to interfere with knock sensor signal or ignition coil feedback signal.

 

[Mark_S]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Even the japanese sourced Packard wire from the USA since it was sooooo gooood (better than Ndenso and TEC). Now thats a big big rec right there. Stay FAR FAR away from NGK wire.



I used NGK the last time I changed plugs & wires (60,000 miles ago). Everything is OK so far. What is the problem with NGK wires? What about their plugs?

I looked up Packard wires, and they are made by Micro-Tech. The only place I found them for my car (99 Avalon) was JC Whitney. Why are they called "Packard", and what makes them good?

Thanks.

 

[Scott_Tucker]

The best way to check spark plug wires is with an automotive oscilloscope. Its rare these days to find a shop that has one and even rarer to find one that knows how to use it. I am current restoring two of them.

 

[Trav]

I had one from Bear years ago, its hard to find mechanics today that know the difference between raster and parade or even how to use one of these units.

 

[calvin1]

Originally Posted By: SLCraig
I used Belden Premium on all of my Saturns with good luck.
+1 on these. I used sets I got from NAPA on my Broncos, 351 and 302, and they were a good product. The only annoyance I had was the leads weren't numbered and I had already yanked the old ones out before I noticed.

 

[Scott_Tucker]

Here is a picture of one of my scopes.