Heads UP: OEM sparkplug durability issue.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Heads UP: OEM sparkplug durability issue.
I replaced my oem sparkplugs from my '01 coupe @ 23000 miles.
Five of the eight plugs removed were missing the plat. hockey puck
on the ground electrode. The gap measured .068 w/o the puck.
My pcm never thru a code. The new plugs are NGK TR55 gapped
@ .059. Also replaced the wires with GM Performance Parts LS1,
" 8MM Red Wires ". I destroyed 4 of the 8 old wires when removed,
PITA. Haven't driven, cuz driver seat is @ the trim shop, but
Ashley starts and runs strong. Can't wait to test drive.
Anybody else have the same issue with OEM plugs?
Five of the eight plugs removed were missing the plat. hockey puck
on the ground electrode. The gap measured .068 w/o the puck.
My pcm never thru a code. The new plugs are NGK TR55 gapped
@ .059. Also replaced the wires with GM Performance Parts LS1,
" 8MM Red Wires ". I destroyed 4 of the 8 old wires when removed,
PITA. Haven't driven, cuz driver seat is @ the trim shop, but
Ashley starts and runs strong. Can't wait to test drive.
Anybody else have the same issue with OEM plugs?
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 486
Likes: 1
From: Houston TX
Well, I'm curious about this. I've got a 2004, so the plugs are hopefully iridium and will last. But with the older plugs - does the gas mileage drop after the pucks disappear? Is there any noticeable effect that someone can feel that will make them look at the plugs? Most of the posts I've seen on this start out with someone stating that they removed their plugs and the pucks were gone... but what caused them to remove the plugs in the first place?
- Wisdom
- Wisdom
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 1
From: Wilmington NC
Originally Posted by Wisdom
Well, I'm curious about this. I've got a 2004, so the plugs are hopefully iridium and will last. But with the older plugs - does the gas mileage drop after the pucks disappear? Is there any noticeable effect that someone can feel that will make them look at the plugs? Most of the posts I've seen on this start out with someone stating that they removed their plugs and the pucks were gone... but what caused them to remove the plugs in the first place?
- Wisdom
- Wisdom
Mine had a slight miss whenn I was at the track and had a long pull up the front stretch.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,035
Likes: 134
From: North Augusta, SC
Originally Posted by Wisdom
Well, I'm curious about this. I've got a 2004, so the plugs are hopefully iridium and will last. But with the older plugs - does the gas mileage drop after the pucks disappear? Is there any noticeable effect that someone can feel that will make them look at the plugs? Most of the posts I've seen on this start out with someone stating that they removed their plugs and the pucks were gone... but what caused them to remove the plugs in the first place?
- Wisdom
- Wisdom
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 753
Likes: 1
From: Oceanside CA
That's It!!!! You just pushed me off the fence. I have been contemplating changeing out the plugs and wires for quite a wile now but I have read some post's that say you really dont need to do this. I am about to place an order for NGK55's and MSD 8.5 Super Conductor wires!!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Wisdom's question.
I changed my plugs for these reasons.
1. Read on forum regarding pucks missing on oem plugs with only 20000 miles.
2. Bought car used w/ 21000 miles, was curious about cylinder condtion.
3. Had occasional starting issue.
4. Car idled at 750 rpm. Spec for 2001 M6 is 800 rpm.
Five of the 8 plugs were missing pucks. Plugs read good. Car starts and runs good now, and idles at 800 rpm.
I changed the wires cuz, I broke half of them.
1. Read on forum regarding pucks missing on oem plugs with only 20000 miles.
2. Bought car used w/ 21000 miles, was curious about cylinder condtion.
3. Had occasional starting issue.
4. Car idled at 750 rpm. Spec for 2001 M6 is 800 rpm.
Five of the 8 plugs were missing pucks. Plugs read good. Car starts and runs good now, and idles at 800 rpm.
I changed the wires cuz, I broke half of them.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 486
Likes: 1
From: Houston TX
Thanks for the extra insight. My 2004 A4 idles around 550. At one point I considered changing plugs, now I've got to verify that the irridiums are there like Carnut says. According to the DIC, I get ~32 mpg at 40-50 mph, which I think is pretty good - it's much better than the wife's 6-cylinder Sport Trac! I would think that if the plugs were going bad then my mpg would start to fall too. And I'm one of those that tracks mpg's for no particular reason!
- Wisdom
- Wisdom