Do I need new wires?

ZeroChad · Post by **ZeroChad** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 11:06 am

Well I've been doing a lot of modding to my car this past week. I'll post some pics of everything when I'm done. Got a little problem though.

I was having issues with the spark plug in cylinder 3. The spark plug tube was pushed up at least half an inch. Also, plenty of oil was getting into the tube coating the top of the plug. Well I gently knocked the tube down flush with the others, and installed the gasket. When I went to check the plugs the next day, there was a bulge itowards the bottom of spark plug wire on #3. I found this inside:

I don't know if this came from inside the spark plug, or if it looks like the lower seal for the spark plug. I'm not getting any more oil in the tube, so I don't think its the seal. Its basically a little cap with a small hole in the end that looks to have been blown out to make a bigger hole. So I'm thinking about replacing my spark plug wires with some mopar performance ones. Any places I can pick them up at? (going for blue here)

Shitty camera phone, sorry.

Paul56 · Post by **Paul56** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 12:39 pm

I haven't a clue about that piece... other than to say I don't think it belongs in the spark plug tube or near that area.

Did you remove the ignition wire for #3 and compare it to the others?

I had that tube issue earlier in the summer. The first time I did not tap it down enough so there was more oil, but the second time I took a hammer and block of wood and gently tapped it down until it would not go anymore... no more oil.

Post by **occasional demons** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 12:45 pm

Prolly the remains of the boot. The "proper way to repair the sparkplug tube is to buy a new one and remove the VC, pull the offending tube and clean the holewith carb cleaner getting all the oil out. The putting red loc-tite on the new tube and tapping it home with a block of wood and a hammer. If the tube isn't damaged, you can reuse them like I did.

Although they're not too expensive. I just light ly sanded the tubes and the bore so there was some bite for the loc-tite to hold, so far so good.

ZeroChad · Post by **ZeroChad** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 7:16 pm

Paul56 wrote:I haven't a clue about that piece... other than to say I don't think it belongs in the spark plug tube or near that area.

Did you remove the ignition wire for #3 and compare it to the others?

Yeah they looked the same

I dunno, It might be the boot like occasional said.

occasional demons wrote: Prolly the remains of the boot. The "proper way to repair the sparkplug tube is to buy a new one and remove the VC, pull the offending tube and clean the holewith carb cleaner getting all the oil out. The putting red loc-tite on the new tube and tapping it home with a block of wood and a hammer. If the tube isn't damaged, you can reuse them like I did. thumbup Although they're not too expensive. I just light ly sanded the tubes and the bore so there was some bite for the loc-tite to hold, so far so good.

Good suggestion on the loctite, I'll have to do that if it shimmies out again. Yeah I laid the wood horizontally across all four tubes, so when it was at the proper height it would not go in any further and risk breaking the seal.

snufflucks · Post by **snufflucks** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 4:23 am

Thats a rubber fitting that goes in spark plug rachet sockets to grab the plug when you are removing it.

Post by **occasional demons** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 6:09 am

Good call! I wasn't even thinking of that!

Paul56 · Post by **Paul56** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 7:55 am

snufflucks wrote: Thats a rubber fitting that goes in spark plug rachet sockets to grab the plug when you are removing it.

Mystery solved! As Occasional said... good call!

Wow! All the years both my father and myself have been removing/installing plugs we have never had that happen.

ZeroChad · Post by **ZeroChad** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 8:29 am

Haha wow! I thought it made the wire bulge a little too much.

I guess that goes to show you shouldn't use hand me down spark plug sockets from your late grandfather.

On a side note, I did end up ordering MSD wires and a screamin pack from BlazeSXT. Probably a good tuneup for an 80k+ car with stock wires.

Paul56 · Post by **Paul56** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 10:00 am

ZeroChad wrote:Haha wow! I thought it made the wire bulge a little too much.

I guess that goes to show you shouldn't use hand me down spark plug sockets from your late grandfather.

On a side note, I did end up ordering MSD wires and a screamin pack from BlazeSXT. Probably a good tuneup for an 80k+ car with stock wires.

I've done pretty much the same with my car... did not replace stock with performance parts, but I still notice a difference.

Replaced the battery, coil, ignition wires and spark plugs... I notice it starts up with more gusto now.

half_twisted · Post by **half_twisted** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 7:19 pm

occasional demons wrote:Good call! I wasn't even thinking of that!

i was just about to say that.

snufflucks · Post by **snufflucks** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 1:17 am

Everybody has a mild case of brain failure from time to time. I know I do.

Nalayah · Post by **Nalayah** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 2:27 am

Don't worry, I've done worse

. Try loosing a screwdriver in your hand... or spending two hours trying to pull a plug out without realizing that you can just push the wire boot into it and pull it back.

snufflucks · Post by **snufflucks** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 3:52 am

Nalayah wrote:Don't worry, I've done worse . Try loosing a screwdriver in your hand... or spending two hours trying to pull a plug out without realizing that you can just push the wire boot into it and pull it back.

You're operating on a whole nother level.