bad plug wire?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: What did the 5 fingers say to the face? SLAP!!
bad plug wire?
Is there anything that can give the symptoms of a bad plug wire(s) besides a bad wire? Under light acceleration, it runs fine. Anything over 40-50% throttle and it starts cutting out and sounding like an outboard motor. I know I burned at least 2 wires on the manifold after the new intake went on, and I replaced those. I don't have an ohmeter, so testing them is out of the question. I know it wouldn't hurt to replace the rest, but I want to rule out any other possibilities before I start throwing money at something I may not necessarily need. Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
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From: Kempner Texas
Re: bad plug wire? (flyersfan1088)
". . . throwing money at . . ." That's exactly what you're going to end up doing without the proper tools.
It's just 'the cost of doing business' when you plan on working on these engines yourself.
Buy a digital ohm meter; I saw an inexpensive one at ACE hardware on one of their tool tables.
Think about how much it's going to cost you to pay someone else to diagnose the problem (bet he'll have the right tools) and after you pay the bill, you still won't have the tools to be used the next time something like this comes up.
Just my thoughts.
Jake
Jake
It's just 'the cost of doing business' when you plan on working on these engines yourself.
Buy a digital ohm meter; I saw an inexpensive one at ACE hardware on one of their tool tables.
Think about how much it's going to cost you to pay someone else to diagnose the problem (bet he'll have the right tools) and after you pay the bill, you still won't have the tools to be used the next time something like this comes up.
Just my thoughts.
Jake
Jake
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: bad plug wire? (flyersfan1088)
Even if the wires ohm out ok there could be a problem with the insulation.
I agree, check the dist cap as well as the wires; at night spray a light mist onto the wires and watch for corona discharge.
I agree, check the dist cap as well as the wires; at night spray a light mist onto the wires and watch for corona discharge.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,167
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From: What did the 5 fingers say to the face? SLAP!!
Re: bad plug wire? (JAKE)
[QUOTEIt's just 'the cost of doing business' when you plan on working on these engines yourself.
Think about how much it's going to cost you to pay someone else to diagnose the problem (bet he'll have the right tools) and after you pay the bill, you still won't have the tools to be used the next time something like this comes up.
[/QUOTE]
Won't cost me a dime to use my Dads ohm meter, just didn't want to drive across town to get it. I was tired last night when I posted the question. Plug wires seemed obvious to me, but thought that maybe I was overlooking something obvious since I was tired.
[Modified by flyersfan1088, 4:16 AM 5/11/2004]
Think about how much it's going to cost you to pay someone else to diagnose the problem (bet he'll have the right tools) and after you pay the bill, you still won't have the tools to be used the next time something like this comes up.
[/QUOTE]
Won't cost me a dime to use my Dads ohm meter, just didn't want to drive across town to get it. I was tired last night when I posted the question. Plug wires seemed obvious to me, but thought that maybe I was overlooking something obvious since I was tired.
[Modified by flyersfan1088, 4:16 AM 5/11/2004]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 827
Likes: 1
From: Henderson NV
Re: bad plug wire? (flyersfan1088)
An oil-fouled or carboned plug is a good indicator of a bad ignition wire. A lot of folks can't believe it, but it's easy to wipe out a plug wire when handling one. Especially if it's got any age on it
