spark plug wires

[Chicobiker]

Now that the clutch is quiet again, time to turn to another item I
want to fix to make the car more sellable.

Recap: 2003 OBS 5spd, 210k kms

For the last little while (months), the car has had hesitation and /
or misfiring when taking off from a stop. The car pretty much almost
stalls at times. I had similar issues in the past (years ago), and
the dealer "fixed" it simply by greasing the connections to the spark
plug wires. (what is the distributor thing called?) I've read to
check by spraying water over the wires at night and looking for
sparks, so I tried that tonight. I initially saw a few sparks just
where the wires plug into the "distributor." But then nothing more as
the car's began to idle more slowly.

But I've seen enough. What's a typical cost to replace wires? My
spark plugs are practically brand new. Is it just wires, or do more
parts need to be replaced to make it worthwhile?

Chicobiker

 

[johninky]

How old are the spark plugs?

 

[mulder]

Now that the clutch is quiet again, time to turn to another item I
want to fix to make the car more sellable.

Recap: 2003 OBS 5spd, 210k kms

For the last little while (months), the car has had hesitation and /
or misfiring when taking off from a stop. The car pretty much almost
stalls at times. I had similar issues in the past (years ago), and
the dealer "fixed" it simply by greasing the connections to the spark
plug wires. (what is the distributor thing called?) I've read to
check by spraying water over the wires at night and looking for
sparks, so I tried that tonight. I initially saw a few sparks just
where the wires plug into the "distributor." But then nothing more as
the car's began to idle more slowly.

But I've seen enough. What's a typical cost to replace wires? My
spark plugs are practically brand new. Is it just wires, or do more
parts need to be replaced to make it worthwhile?

Chicobiker

It's not a distributor, it's the coil pack.
Replacing wires alone may not be enough if the contacts on the coil
towers where they plug in are corroded. Sometimes those can be cleaned
up, but you have to be careful not to remove the plating from the
contacts or they will corrode again very quickly. If the plating is
already damaged from the corrosion, or if the coil towers have any
cracks or carbon tracking evident then the coil pack has to be replaced.
Also if you put new wires on a bad coil pack, the wires may fail in
short order.

 

[Airport Shuttle]

Its called a tune-up. Spark plugs, Wires, PCV, Air filter, Fuel filter
oil change and in some cases cap and rotor

 

[S]

Hi Chico!

But I've seen enough. What's a typical cost to replace wires? My
spark plugs are practically brand new. Is it just wires, or do more
parts need to be replaced to make it worthwhile?

Sounds like it,s time for new sparkplug wires to me.
Normally I'd suggest getting top of the line plug wires, NGK or Bosch,
but as you're selling the car, just go down to the local discount
parts store and get whatever they have that fits the car. Probably
cost $25 - $30. Also get a tube of silicone grease (sometimes called
dielectric grease).
Replacement is a real easy DIY project, simply match by length, pull
the old one off, and put the new one in it's place. Be sure to follow
the routing, and that you replace any guide clips. Use a dab of the
grease where the plug wire boot slides up over the terminal of the
coil pack.
About the only caveats are that it is sometimes tough to get the
sparkplug end loose. Probably won't be an issue if the plugs have been
replaced recently, but if it is, use a large needle nosed pliers to
twist and pull. Be sure the metal clip inside the plug end of the
replacement wire is all the way on the tip of the plug; you should
feel (and hear) a distinct click as it goes on. Again, those needle
nose pliers are your friend.
I've never paid to have this done, but I can't imagine it costing more
than $50 - $75, including the wires.
Other easy things you can do to make the car attractive are:
Clean under the hood real well at the self service car wash. About the
only places you have to be careful of are the alternator vent
openings, and the coil pack.
Detail the interior as well as you have the time and patience for:
Clean the inside of all windows, ashtrays, glove box, door cups, etc.
You can do a much nicer job if you remove the front seats. If the
missus has a carpet shampoo thing, there may be an upholstery
attachment. These generally do a pretty nice, if superficial job of
brightening up the seats.
Get some plastic polish and put a shine on those damned plastic
headlight lenses. If you're energetic, do the corner lights and tail
lights as well.
Finally, if the windshield is cracked and/or pitted, replace it. This
costs $150 or so (shop around), but it really spiffs up the car.
There are detailing shops that will do these things for you (except
probably the windshield) for a price.
Hope this helps.
ByeBye! S.




Steve Jernigan KG0MB
Laboratory Manager
Microelectronics Research
University of Colorado
(719) 262-3101

 

[1 Lucky Texan]

It's not a distributor, it's the coil pack.
Replacing wires alone may not be enough if the contacts on the coil
towers where they plug in are corroded. Sometimes those can be cleaned
up, but you have to be careful not to remove the plating from the
contacts or they will corrode again very quickly. If the plating is
already damaged from the corrosion, or if the coil towers have any
cracks or carbon tracking evident then the coil pack has to be replaced.
Also if you put new wires on a bad coil pack, the wires may fail in
short order.

I'd say cracks in the coil pack are quite likely. But if the wires are
the same age, probably replacing both would be good insurance.

 

[Chicobiker]

Hi Chico!


Sounds like it,s time for new sparkplug wires to me.
Normally I'd suggest getting top of the line plug wires, NGK or Bosch,
but as you're selling the car, just go down to the local discount
parts store and get whatever they have that fits the car. Probably
cost $25 - $30.  Also get a tube of silicone grease (sometimes called
dielectric grease).

Canadian tire wants $300 for the coil pack, and $100 for the wires.
Yikes. I had some silicone grease and tried that for now. I'll try
some other auto places later.

Replacement is a real easy DIY project, simply match by length, pull

Sounds good. Looks like just 4 bolts and an electrical connector.

Get some plastic polish and put a shine on those damned plastic
headlight lenses.

Already done! I use aluminum rubbing compound, and it works fairly
well and quickly! I get very big difference after just a few seconds
of rubbing by hand. However, the results didn't seem to last very
long. (months?) This time I used an electric buffer. Hopefully I
won't have to find out if it doesn't make a difference.

 

[Big Jim]

Get the OEM wires- they were cheaper than aftermarket .

 

[1 Lucky Texan]

Canadian tire wants $300 for the coil pack, and $100 for the wires.
Yikes.  I had some silicone grease and tried that for now.  I'll try
some other auto places later.


Sounds good.  Looks like just 4 bolts and an electrical connector.


Already done!  I use aluminum rubbing compound, and it works fairly
well and quickly!  I get very big difference after just a few seconds
of rubbing by hand.  However, the results didn't seem to last very
long.  (months?)  This time I used an electric buffer.  Hopefully I
won't have to find out if it doesn't make a difference.

After polishing, try cleaning well and applying NuFinish or maybe a
good carnuba wax. But, other folks report the same - that the polish
doesn't last long.

 

[Airport Shuttle]

Polish in a spark plug thread

 

[1 Lucky Texan]

Polish in a spark plug thread.

--
Airport Shuttle

'' (http://www.yourcityride.com)
Message origin: TRAVEL.com

I was replying to;

******> > Get some plastic polish and put a shine on those damned
plastic

Already done! I use aluminum rubbing compound, and it works fairly
well and quickly! I get very big difference after just a few seconds
of rubbing by hand. However, the results didn't seem to last very
long. (months?) This time I used an electric buffer. Hopefully I
won't have to find out if it doesn't make a difference.

******

sry if it confused someone.