Time to change plugs?
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Time to change plugs?
My C6 is now 10 years old with 25k miles. When do the plugs need to be changed, and if so, anything else such as plug wires. And what would be the expected costs. The manual only states they should be changed at 100,000 miles.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Also please check your wallets for any $20, $50, or $100 bills that are dated more than 10 years old. As a collector of expired currency, I pay up to $5 for each old one you have. It'll give you peace of mind to know you're not unnecessarily carrying around worthless paper.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,626
Likes: 195
From: On the east coast we drive until we die
I replace plugs/wires based on use not time. While there can be a legitimate argument made for swapping various engine and drivetrain fluids based solely on time, I never felt plugs and wires fell into that category. If and when you do decide to change them, don't get talked into the high dollar magic bean plugs and wires. These cars do just fine with OEM, especially if you're stock.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,327
Likes: 44
From: Sacramento CA
I replace plugs/wires based on use not time. While there can be a legitimate argument made for swapping various engine and drivetrain fluids based solely on time, I never felt plugs and wires fell into that category. If and when you do decide to change them, don't get talked into the high dollar magic bean plugs and wires. These cars do just fine with OEM, especially if you're stock.
When the heads on my Z were replaced at 45 K miles, my plugs were as good as new. I paid to replace them because the heads were new.
I plan changing my 13 GS plugs and wires, with OEM, at 50 K.. Just to give me a warm and fuzzy feeling..
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 462
From: Southern Utah
Many C6 owners like to have extra interaction with the car...replacing parts and doing unnecessary maintenance is one way to do this. If you enjoy it and are not spending your retirement to do it, go for it.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,327
Likes: 44
From: Sacramento CA
If your voltage was that low, it should run better when back to normal.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
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From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Sometimes I forget that there are car owners who really don't know how stuff works, but they feel the need to do something besides waxing it.I hope the OP recognizes my earlier post was just a joke and that he won't need to change plugs for a long, long time.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 462
From: Southern Utah
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Actually I have a fair amount (maybe 200 pieces) of currency from other countries that is no longer legal tender. Some is from countries that don't exist anymore and 5 notes from a country that doesn't have, nor ever had, human residents.
But yes, I do buy old money.
But yes, I do buy old money.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,507
Likes: 722
From: Sausalito CA
Good idea to remove the plugs to break any electrolysis that may have occurred.
You could reuse the plugs as mileage is low.
Just inspect visually, check gap, add anti seize and reinstall. I recall torque is 13 ft lbs...but verify.
Now if not on a budget, you are doing all this labor so new plugs would not be a bad idea. There maybe $10 a piece.
Have fun.
You could reuse the plugs as mileage is low.
Just inspect visually, check gap, add anti seize and reinstall. I recall torque is 13 ft lbs...but verify.
Now if not on a budget, you are doing all this labor so new plugs would not be a bad idea. There maybe $10 a piece.
Have fun.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 12,502
Likes: 3,631
Truth is, if you try to pull the wire and don't do it correctly, chances are your going to destroy the boots. on the plugs, going to end up breaking a few and have to replace them a well.
As for the alternator, that one was easy to fix, and the problem was that the voltage regulator to the body points had oxidation between them from age, and why you where having problems. Hence you could have just pulled the alternator apart, cleaned the oxidation, put it back together and the old unit would have worked fine.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...nator-fix.html
Q-tips marking the three contact areas that needed to be cleaned, as well as the matching areas on the voltage regulator as well.
Also in the write up, I point out how to clean the bushing in there housing and well as to clean the slip ring so all are making a good contact.
Also, most of the time that someone thinks that its the alternator having problems, it not, but the connection point of the alternator wire and battery wire connection point on the starters solenoid where they bolt together, as well as the ground point to the engine block the problems isntead.
Last edited by Dano523; Aug 22, 2016 at 07:03 PM.