Spark Plug Wires

[Gary04GT]

quote:Originally posted by Mean Green

I've had three PT's and have seen crappy factory wires go bad at around 12k...I'd replace them just the same.

I replaced the wires and spark plugs on my GT at 15K miles although I was not experiencing any problems with them. My new Magnecor performance ignition cables should last a very long time and I will again replace the Mopar Champion Copper Plus plugs gapped to .040 after I get 20-25K miles on them.

[nehope]

I replaced my plugs and wires when I installed the Stage 1 - mostly because the instructions said to. I had my dream cruiser 1 for almost three years and 33K miles with the stock wires and plugs and never had any problems with them. It was due for its 30K and I planned on doing it then, but got the GT 'vert instead.

So ... in answer to your original question, goldpt, unless you are experiencing problems, I don't see why you would want to replace your plugs and wires.

[Tom and Marj Green]

remember - the speed at which wire sets go bad is related to how much pollution you drive in. many, many years ago, wire sets lasted much longer, but with the cruddy air we drive in, they go faster. if you live/drive in clean (cleaner) mountain air, you'll probably get very good mileage out of you wires; whereas, if you live in smogville, good luck in getting more than a two years out of your wires . . . . . . just so you know.

[thegoldpt]

I live in San Luis Obispo, CA, the air here is pretty nice so i don't worry to much......

[fritz_t_coyote]

quote:Originally posted by Tom and Marj Green

remember - the speed at which wire sets go bad is related to how much pollution you drive in. many, many years ago, wire sets lasted much longer, but with the cruddy air we drive in, they go faster. if you live/drive in clean (cleaner) mountain air, you'll probably get very good mileage out of you wires; whereas, if you live in smogville, good luck in getting more than a two years out of your wires . . . . . . just so you know.

How do you reconcile this view with the fact that most major cities have cleaner air now then they did in the 1960s?

http://www.cleanairprogress.org/clea...tion-facts.asp

Other Reason: Higher Underhood Temperatures.
Modern engines run hotter (in order to reduce pollution), in smaller engine compartments, and the plug wires are crammed in surrounded by pollution control plumbing, and more power gee-gaws then we ever had back in the dark ages. This bakes the plug wires, causes the insulation to break down, and sure enough, there is always a nearby conductor to siphon the spark away.

Also, lean-burning (pollution fighting) engines are more sensitive to weak sparks.

And little 4 cylinder (less pollution) fuel-injected engines don't hide the occasional missfire as well as a honking carburetor-fed V8.

Odds are that no matter how clean the local air is, the local climate between the camshaft cover and the upper intake manifold of a pt cruiser idleing in traffic is going to be unpleasant.

[quicksilverdon]

Ozone eats rubber, true, but the Crane and Magnecore wires last much longer than stock wires, which I think are Linguini...

[06PT]

I am a new member and have an '06 PT that needs a tune up. The dealership cost was "about" $200 when I called for an estimate. With parts from Napa I can do it for about $40 (that is if I can actually do it myself...)

So I searched this website and found "thegoldpt" post of spark plug guide that has a link to the How-To instructions. However there seems to be changes between whatever model year was depicted in those instructions and the '06 model. Does anybody have any current instructions that can help me out????

Thanks

[quicksilverdon]

Welcome.
You should be fine with the directions for the '01. Things actually got simpler.
1) No "modesty cover" that you have to remove before you start.
2) No egr - with 2 different size screws.
Other than that, should be the same.

[06PT]

Thanks for the quick reply quicksilverdon, you gave me my confidence back... The Napa by me is closed on Sunday's so I'll be looking for the next closest one tomorrow or just wait for another day.

The plug wire set they quoted me was manufactured by Beldin?? I figure they should be good enough with either the bosch platinum or the Champion plugs.

[07GTDriver]

How about the "Nology HotWires?" They only run about $163 That seems a bit excessive for wires and they appear to run "hotter." Don't know if I really want a "hotter" running plug in my already hot engine compartment. I'm thinking about going with the Crane's.