have i run my spark plugs too long
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have i run my spark plugs too long
i have ngk tr somethings...the popular one, lol. anyway, had them for at least 30k miles, maybe more. my car runs fine, but mileage is like 15 in the city when it used to be 18. i'm starting to think it is because of the plugs. any other cons to having those plugs in there that long? i thought 10k was the duration you use those.
anyway i don't know if i should change them, and if i should, what should i get that lasts longer? any tips on changing spark plugs? i have stock manifolds, so i remember it sucking a lot....thanks for any help.
anyway i don't know if i should change them, and if i should, what should i get that lasts longer? any tips on changing spark plugs? i have stock manifolds, so i remember it sucking a lot....thanks for any help.
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10k is more often than necessary for a proper running stock engine with stock heat range plugs, no matter what the tip material is. People recommending 10k are usually running the cooler TR6s for N2O applications.
30k is just about right for TR55s that are stock heat range, give or take a bit depending on driving styles.
Factory AC Delco plugs (used to be platinum, now iriudium) will last much longer.
30k is just about right for TR55s that are stock heat range, give or take a bit depending on driving styles.
Factory AC Delco plugs (used to be platinum, now iriudium) will last much longer.
#3
Agreed, 30K is a good time to run those, after that theyll fade. If you run a Bosch plug (which I do), I myself added 2 MPG. More $ up front but it pays for itself quickly. MSD wires might give you 1 MPG too. Just my 2 cents.
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My plugs are still stock 45k miles. Unleaded fuels don't burn plugs like the leaded fuels in days of old. My mileage has decreased in every vehicle I own because of the higher levels of alcohol in the fuel. In some Wisconsin stations I can still get 93 with no alcohol, when I do the mileage goes back to when I had the car new.
If you want everything that you can get then change them. The loss at 30K is not much though.
The fuels today are the biggest mileage culprit. Plugs won't make the fuel better!
If you want everything that you can get then change them. The loss at 30K is not much though.
The fuels today are the biggest mileage culprit. Plugs won't make the fuel better!
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My plugs are still stock 45k miles. Unleaded fuels don't burn plugs like the leaded fuels in days of old. My mileage has decreased in every vehicle I own because of the higher levels of alcohol in the fuel. In some Wisconsin stations I can still get 93 with no alcohol, when I do the mileage goes back to when I had the car new.
If you want everything that you can get then change them. The loss at 30K is not much though.
The fuels today are the biggest mileage culprit. Plugs won't make the fuel better!
If you want everything that you can get then change them. The loss at 30K is not much though.
The fuels today are the biggest mileage culprit. Plugs won't make the fuel better!
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Jeez, I had no idea that the TR55s had such a short lifespan. I'm just about to replace the plugs and was thinking about going with the TR55s but I may just spend a little more and get the iridiums.
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Personally, I use the basic NGKs in my '98 since I drive the car so rarely, and I'm more interested in best performance than longevity with plugs in that car. But for my '02 daily driver, longevity is more of a priority so I stick with stock plugs. NGK also makes an iridium plug if you want to stick with that brand.
Last edited by RPM WS6; 01-07-2010 at 09:41 AM.
#14
last time i check tr6 and tr55 where $1.99 a peice where i live..... if u got the time just swap them! i run tr6 and 125 and been on the same plugs for 10k miles no problems. bout 4 bottle ran though the car.
i didnt buy my car for great mpg.... just to go fast and be reliable!
just saying. i dont know what mine gets but it is a a4, cam, bolt on's, and stock converter. i bet i get 11mpg the way i drive my car.
i didnt buy my car for great mpg.... just to go fast and be reliable!
just saying. i dont know what mine gets but it is a a4, cam, bolt on's, and stock converter. i bet i get 11mpg the way i drive my car.
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i have ngk tr somethings...the popular one, lol. anyway, had them for at least 30k miles, maybe more. my car runs fine, but mileage is like 15 in the city when it used to be 18. i'm starting to think it is because of the plugs. any other cons to having those plugs in there that long? i thought 10k was the duration you use those.
anyway i don't know if i should change them, and if i should, what should i get that lasts longer? any tips on changing spark plugs? i have stock manifolds, so i remember it sucking a lot....thanks for any help.
anyway i don't know if i should change them, and if i should, what should i get that lasts longer? any tips on changing spark plugs? i have stock manifolds, so i remember it sucking a lot....thanks for any help.
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i think i deserve an award. 1 hour and 32 minutes to change the plugs. pretty easy. i did this 5 years ago or so, so the plugs came out easily and luckily i had already taken out the rear coil pack screw and NOT put it back in as suggested to me 5 years ago, so removing the passenger side coil pack was pretty simple.
quick question...the electrical connection on the coil pack on the passenger side--the plastic "snap" on it broke off. it seems to be connected snug without the plastic locking mechanism, but i guess a bump could jar it loose. what can i do to make sure it doesn't come off?
also, probably unrelated, but i was giving my car some gas in the parking lot after changing the plugs. i noticed when i gave my car gas the lights flickered? i'm sure it is unrelated to the spark plug changing, but what the heck is that? the alternator was well powered at that point and its voltage was not flickering, just the inside and outside lights. not hard flickering, but noticeable. it did it every time i messed with it. thanks for the help!
quick question...the electrical connection on the coil pack on the passenger side--the plastic "snap" on it broke off. it seems to be connected snug without the plastic locking mechanism, but i guess a bump could jar it loose. what can i do to make sure it doesn't come off?
also, probably unrelated, but i was giving my car some gas in the parking lot after changing the plugs. i noticed when i gave my car gas the lights flickered? i'm sure it is unrelated to the spark plug changing, but what the heck is that? the alternator was well powered at that point and its voltage was not flickering, just the inside and outside lights. not hard flickering, but noticeable. it did it every time i messed with it. thanks for the help!