i have taken out my spark plugs and they look fine but my car is not running right.
2006-09-29 23:48:02 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Wow so many answers and according to some of them they are replacing their spark plugs about as often as they are changing their oil. That is hard to believe. Anyhow a good rule of thumb, is standard non platinum or iridium plugs 30,000 miles. If your vehicle uses platinum, double platinum or iridium plugs 50,000.
As I said this is a rule of thumb. If your car is burning rich or if you have had a internal coolant leak you can expect to replace them sooner than that. When you say they look fine, did you check the gap, is the porcelain cracked at all? If you do replace (check the gap even though they say they are pregapped) or even reinstall those plugs, remember the antiseize, it'll save you some trouble the next time you remove them.
And an easy way to start them so you don't crossthread them is to slide the non threaded end into a piece of rubber hose that fits snugly, put them in the cylinder head and twist until each starts good.
2006-09-30 02:29:33 · answer #1 · answered by ladylucknc 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not uncommon for today's cars to go 100K on spark plugs. The problem usually is more than just plugs anyway. You did not state the make or model. Many cars today do not use distributors. It could be an ignition coil, plug wires, computer issues, etc. but in any case the back yard mechanic days are gone for most people.
Yes there are always "exceptions" who claim to be rocket scientists, but you really need to take it in have a diagnostic test run by a pro, and if the real needed repair IS within your abilities then take it home and fix it. Throwing money at a fix while hoping to get it right is costly, more so than the diagnostic cost to get it right and then doing the proper repair the first time.
2006-09-30 23:43:55 · answer #2 · answered by tnbroker1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
On a newer vehicle with fuel injection and O2 sensors and all your spark plugs should last at least 35000 miles and more commonly into the 60000 mile range. Another thing to remember when you go to buy new plugs is that this is a part of the vehicle where you don't want to be cheap. Almost all of the new vehicles are using iridium plugs which are $10- $15 per plug but if you don't replace them as recommended you will lose performance and fuel mileage. In the long run it will cost you more to use cheap plugs. Another key part of your vehicle is the air cleaner. The more clean air you can get the better. More air equals more power and more power means better gas mileage. Sorry for all the extra stuff but I hope I have been helpful.
2006-09-30 07:10:43 · answer #3 · answered by king_davis13 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I change mine every 100,000 kilometres. That's the manufacturer's suggestion.
If you're getting a hesitation or a roll in your engine....before you change the plugs, check your air filter and fuel filter. Then take a look at your spark plug wires. They may be cracked.
If you have an older car, check your distributor cap and make sure it isn't leaking and re-gap your points. All of these could contribute to the problem and they're easy and inexpensive to fix.
Then look at your MAP sensor and your Oxygen sensor. They usually cost less than $100.00 and they can make your engine run rough.
If you do replace either sensor, make sure you reset the computer or it will still think you have the old one installed. You do this by disconnecting your battery cable for about a minute then reconnect it again. It''s kinda like rebooting your computer after installing updates.
Good luck.
2006-09-30 07:03:39 · answer #4 · answered by Jack 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some vehicles are different then others but the rule of thumb is 30000 some automakers are even pushing 100k but you diffidently don't want to wait that long you will never get the plugs out without breaking something.
2006-09-30 06:56:54 · answer #5 · answered by handyman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it depends on what kind of plugs the vehicle has, standard plugs should be replaced every 30000 if they are platinum plugs every 100000
2006-09-30 08:52:31 · answer #6 · answered by KMU 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look in your car owner's manual. The manufacturer tells you when they should normally be replaced.
2006-09-30 06:54:17 · answer #7 · answered by bobweb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i change mine out at 3000. did you do a full tune up? make ,year and model of car would help figure why its running bad
2006-09-30 06:53:34 · answer #8 · answered by oldguy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Read your service book or contact the dealer/manufacturer
2006-09-30 06:56:50 · answer #9 · answered by vinodh 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
depends what car it is to why it is not running right,id be happy to give more advice if you want to contact me at my email address
2006-09-30 10:12:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋