Here's how I got to plug #2. With the wheel and wind shield off, with a u-joint on the ratchet.
88 L98 Plugs?
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Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Rugby, Warwickshire, England
88 L98 Plugs?
Just had my car in the shop for a service, was running fine when it went in, only put it in as I'm going on a long road trip and wanted it running to its best 
they replaced the plugs as part of service, fitted AC DELCO FR5LS (correct for an '88), they said on test drive afterward there was a misfire and they'd had to re-replace one of the plugs and now it was fine. When I picked it up though there was an obvious misfire, I picked up after closing hours and car was being serviced 50 miles from my home, so leaving it for them to fix wasn't an option.
They'd boxed up old plugs and left them in the car, they weren't in bad shape so I refitted 7 of 8 of them (couldn't get at #2, it's a pita) now it runs fine again...
Any thoughts?
Relevant facts:
Old plugs were Champion RC12YC (in car when I bought it)
Checking up, the Champion RC12YC are actually not to spec? Should be RC14YC?
I believe the RC12YC are a cooler plug?
#5 cylinder of the new plugs (Delcos) was found fouled on removal (about 50 miles covered) and #4 cylinder was gapped at something less than 0.010 (rest were all around 0.035)
I know the small gap on #4 may have been causing an issue in itself but is there any underlying reason why cooler plugs may run better?
Oh and any tips for how to get at #2....
Cheers,
Paul
they replaced the plugs as part of service, fitted AC DELCO FR5LS (correct for an '88), they said on test drive afterward there was a misfire and they'd had to re-replace one of the plugs and now it was fine. When I picked it up though there was an obvious misfire, I picked up after closing hours and car was being serviced 50 miles from my home, so leaving it for them to fix wasn't an option.They'd boxed up old plugs and left them in the car, they weren't in bad shape so I refitted 7 of 8 of them (couldn't get at #2, it's a pita) now it runs fine again...
Any thoughts?
Relevant facts:
Old plugs were Champion RC12YC (in car when I bought it)
Checking up, the Champion RC12YC are actually not to spec? Should be RC14YC?
I believe the RC12YC are a cooler plug?
#5 cylinder of the new plugs (Delcos) was found fouled on removal (about 50 miles covered) and #4 cylinder was gapped at something less than 0.010 (rest were all around 0.035)
I know the small gap on #4 may have been causing an issue in itself but is there any underlying reason why cooler plugs may run better?
Oh and any tips for how to get at #2....
Cheers,
Paul
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,356
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From: No HOA, New Hampshire
Cruise-In X Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
Access to #2 is easiest through the wheel well. If you have a plug with only a .010 gap you will have a miss. It sounds like the mechanic took the plugs out out the box and installed them without checking them. Go back and complain and then install the plugs you choose yourself.
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Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Rugby, Warwickshire, England
re-gapped delco plugs back in today, still runs fine... kind of confirms suspicions...
Also noticed today that they'd left the cap unscrewed on the power steering reservoir, hadn't lost it because of the built in dipstick but still...
I'll call the shop tomorrow and let them know what they did wrong
Us Brits don't really do complaining though... (it is considered slightly rude) and I'd be very surprised if I get any money back out of them, I'll not be using them again though.
I have lousy luck with mechanics, still haven't found one I trust round here after 5 years of looking.
I at least know enough about my car to know what they've done wrong, I pity the poor suckers who don't...
Also noticed today that they'd left the cap unscrewed on the power steering reservoir, hadn't lost it because of the built in dipstick but still...
I'll call the shop tomorrow and let them know what they did wrong
Us Brits don't really do complaining though... (it is considered slightly rude) and I'd be very surprised if I get any money back out of them, I'll not be using them again though.
I have lousy luck with mechanics, still haven't found one I trust round here after 5 years of looking.
I at least know enough about my car to know what they've done wrong, I pity the poor suckers who don't...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
Another old trick "shady shops" use is to loosen one plug wire when you have it in for a regular fluid service.....then tell you you need a "tune-up" cause it isn't running very well....$$$ 
Last edited by engle1147; May 31, 2009 at 10:29 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
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I too recently put in AC/Delco FR5LS plugs in my 89. The old plugs, Autolite I think, were carbon fouled.
I couldn't even get those plugs from the dealer. They wanted to sell me $5 rapid fire plugs, and they talked about how good they were. I told them they didn't even have those plugs in 89.
Anyways, I got the Delcos from Advance Auto Parts.
I did notice a few months later, the base of the plug you put your wrench on is rusted. After a few months, could you check to see if yours has rusted too? I did pull a couple of them, and the threads are not rusted, just the base part. The Autolites that were in there were not rusted. Probably made from aluminum or something.
I couldn't even get those plugs from the dealer. They wanted to sell me $5 rapid fire plugs, and they talked about how good they were. I told them they didn't even have those plugs in 89.
Anyways, I got the Delcos from Advance Auto Parts.
I did notice a few months later, the base of the plug you put your wrench on is rusted. After a few months, could you check to see if yours has rusted too? I did pull a couple of them, and the threads are not rusted, just the base part. The Autolites that were in there were not rusted. Probably made from aluminum or something.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 97
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From: Rugby, Warwickshire, England
Called shop today to acquaint them with my displeasure...
got the response I expected...
"terribly sorry old chap, I can but most humbly apologise"
Standard British service for you...
Like I said, they'll not be needing to apologise to me ever again anyway...
Pauly
got the response I expected...
"terribly sorry old chap, I can but most humbly apologise"
Standard British service for you...
Like I said, they'll not be needing to apologise to me ever again anyway...
Pauly
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 163
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From: Gulf State
You guys over the pond are just too polite. Why you wasted a opportunity to vent your frustration's to someone who takes your money without regard is beyond me. It's certain he put a DA working on your car and he fouled up the job at your expense and anxiety. My mom is from Sussix and she turns the other cheek too. I have seen her spend her life letting people get away with that kind of crap without a word. Call him back and at least be rude! It will extend your life by years. #8 plug is the hardest of all. Got to remove the wells. Don't toe tap ! Stomp one time! Good luck with the 88.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 97
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From: Rugby, Warwickshire, England
You guys over the pond are just too polite. Why you wasted a opportunity to vent your frustration's to someone who takes your money without regard is beyond me. It's certain he put a DA working on your car and he fouled up the job at your expense and anxiety. My mom is from Sussix and she turns the other cheek too. I have seen her spend her life letting people get away with that kind of crap without a word. Call him back and at least be rude! It will extend your life by years. #8 plug is the hardest of all. Got to remove the wells. Don't toe tap ! Stomp one time! Good luck with the 88.
Nope, Definitely had no trouble with 8 at all, didn't remove wells... and I've changed it twice now in last couple of days
Couldn't even get a socket on #2 however, until someone pointed out wheel well approach.
Cheers
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 97
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From: Rugby, Warwickshire, England
The other 7 plugs I can do in 1/2 an hour or so, access is a lot easier in general than it was on my old '69 L46....
Pauly
