Plug wires - replace 'em or leave 'em??
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: Broadway Virginia
Plug wires - replace 'em or leave 'em??
The plug wires are original, with only 23k miles on them, BUT they are on an 1988 and thus 22 years old. I am having no known ignition issues. Should I leave them be or change them out with new AC-Delcos just on principle (age).
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 520
Likes: 6
From: Elverson PA
Start it some damp night with the hood open in the dark. If they were failing you can see arcing around the wires. You would need to unplug the underhood lights if you haven't already. I just leave mine unplugged b/c I'm always messing around under the hood and my battery would go dead.
If they were failing you would have missing in damp weather. But if they are ugly, then I would vote replace anyway!
If they were failing you would have missing in damp weather. But if they are ugly, then I would vote replace anyway!
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
-V
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,588
Likes: 10
From: North New Jersey
Start it some damp night with the hood open in the dark. If they were failing you can see arcing around the wires. You would need to unplug the underhood lights if you haven't already. I just leave mine unplugged b/c I'm always messing around under the hood and my battery would go dead.
If they were failing you would have missing in damp weather. But if they are ugly, then I would vote replace anyway!
If they were failing you would have missing in damp weather. But if they are ugly, then I would vote replace anyway!
Someone said you can mist (just a little of course) a little water in the pitch black with the engine running and look for a light show.I think I will try that Monday night if I remember!
If you dont have problems and there is no "light show" I would just leave it...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 196
From: folsom california
old plug wires can work perfect...until you change the plugs. twisting, pulling on them can destroy what little electrical and mechanical integrity remained. and they don't necessarily have to arc and produce a "light show"; they can break internally and either go dead or have their internal resistance raised to where the plugs don't fire properly.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,588
Likes: 10
From: North New Jersey
old plug wires can work perfect...until you change the plugs. twisting, pulling on them can destroy what little electrical and mechanical integrity remained. and they don't necessarily have to arc and produce a "light show"; they can break internally and either go dead or have their internal resistance raised to where the plugs don't fire properly.
some more good points!
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