Spark plugs 3.4L Venture
- Thread starter mayo
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When it comes to spark plugs, I recommend OE or NGK Laser series. Forget about Champions, Bosch, Autolites,...
For your vehicle, the AC-Delco Platinum plugs and if you are interested a little more in performance, try NGK Laser Platinum #5146 or NGK Laser Iridium #5599.
Depending on your mileage (around 40,000-50,000 miles), you might want to change your wires also.
Don't forget to use a little anti-sieze on the spark plug threads. It helps when installing the new plugs and down the line when plugs have to be changed again.
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For your vehicle, the AC-Delco Platinum plugs and if you are interested a little more in performance, try NGK Laser Platinum #5146 or NGK Laser Iridium #5599.
Depending on your mileage (around 40,000-50,000 miles), you might want to change your wires also.
Don't forget to use a little anti-sieze on the spark plug threads. It helps when installing the new plugs and down the line when plugs have to be changed again.
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I installed Bosch +4 platinums and wires last summer. Very pleased so far.
As for the back 3 plugs ... I gave up after an hour of farting around from under or over...
took it to the dealer. The mech had to do some sort of contortion act to get to them with the van 1/2way up on the hoist..
Jean
As for the back 3 plugs ... I gave up after an hour of farting around from under or over...
Jean
Although I haven't changed the plugs yet, I've heard good things about the NGK Iridium plugs for the GM 3.4L engine in various Grand Am forums (it's in both of our vehicles... a 99 Silhouette and a 02 Grand AM GT).
I don't know if it's worth the extra cash you'll have to spend on them though.
One thing I have read many times is to avoid the Bosch +4 (and IIRC even the +2) with this engine. The regular Bosch platinums are fine though.
I don't know if it's worth the extra cash you'll have to spend on them though.
One thing I have read many times is to avoid the Bosch +4 (and IIRC even the +2) with this engine. The regular Bosch platinums are fine though.
If it improves the performance, spending a little extra is worth it. You can easily spend that same money going out to eat in a resturant ONCE.
Out of curiousity, how many km's do you have? I know GM says you could go something like 150,000km and my dad says he believes that (I think he wants to avoid having to do the back three plugs
), but I have a feeling that when we get around to checking them on the Silhouette within a few weeks they will look a little more than half worn out (it has 85,000km).
I have only 68,000 km on it.I took out the front 3 and they look no more good to me.The center electrode is real short and the gap is up to between .075 to .080.I also had a 1998 malibu 3.1L and changed the plugs at 70,000 km.I'am sure you can make them last up to 100,000km by regapping them. But not 160,000 like GM says.If you do you probably would have hard starting in winter and bad gas mileage.
I heard similar things about how the plugs should really be changed much earlier than recommended on other forums. I also heard of a few cases where people changed them around the recommended interval and said the plugs could have gone longer. I guess there are many factors affecting how long they will last. I'm really curious to see how they look in our van after 80,000km.quote:
Originally posted by mayo:
I'am sure you can make them last up to 100,000km by regapping them. But not 160,000 like GM says.If you do you probably would have hard starting in winter and bad gas mileage.
Out of curiosity... does anyone have any data regarding why the Bosch +4 are not recommended..???
Jean
Jean
Bosch platnium plugs use a pure platnium electrode which wears down very quickly with a high power DIS. Don't expect them to last past 20k. I have heard numerous people with problem because of these plugs, after switching to ACs the problem was gone.
Use AC-delco or NGK(who makes many ACs).
-T
Use AC-delco or NGK(who makes many ACs).
-T
I just changed the plugs on my 98 Montana. It has the same engine as your Venture. I had 89,000 on the plugs and they still looked pretty good. Take the 2 top front engine mounts (dog bones) off, put the tranny in neutral with the parking brake on. Hook a ratchet strap to the engine and the bumper hooks and crank the engine forward. This will give you another 3-4 inches of room to get your arm behind the engine. You have to do them pretty much by feel, but a small mirror helps.
I used the AC platinum plugs. They are expensive, about $7 a plug.
I used the AC platinum plugs. They are expensive, about $7 a plug.
Normally I can get AC Double platniums for less than $4 a plug. If your spending more than that buy them online at rockauto.com and have them shipped.
BTW multitipped plugs like splitfires and +4s are a marketing ploy. The spark will use the shortest gap, never more than one.
-T
BTW multitipped plugs like splitfires and +4s are a marketing ploy. The spark will use the shortest gap, never more than one.
-T
I agree that the multi gap plugs seem gimmicky, and that the spark will only travel the shortest path. The performance increase comes from the open top design. When the spark can exit the plug through the top, it can burn through the fuel/air mixture more efficiently.
BtB
BtB
Thats what the book says to do
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