How do I know when I need new spark plug wires?

Question

1994 Honda Civic (1995 engine)

And how much should I expect to pay for a set? Nothing fancy, but nothing flimsy either.

Answer 1

Spark plug wires in today's cars are not a usual suspect when it comes to ignition problems. If I am tuning a car up, it doesn't get wires unless there is something wrong with the old ones... dry rotting, broken, or not sealing the spark... which is most common. You can tell if this is happening by looking at the spark plug to see if there is a black soot line going down the side of it... this indicates the spark is going to the outside of the plug instead of inside the combustion chamber. It will feel like the car misses, bucks, hard to accelerate, etc.
For a honda... plug wires should be around 50 dollars or so, depending on application. NGK makes great replacement wires... probably the best. Hope that helps!

Answer 2

When the vehicle is sitting still at idle, you will notice the engine will shake every once in a while, indicating a miss in the engine. Raise the hood in the dark, and look at it with the engine running, and see if you can see the wires arcing to anything. Bad wires sometimes will light up like a Christmas tree in the dark. It is a good idea to change them about every year anyway. You may expect to pay $60 or more for a good set, but they will last, and be trouble free, so the extra money and gas savings is worth the extra. Good Luck!!

Answer 3

I would replace them at minimum every two years. I agree with what Dodge Man said. I also ran a repair shop, been a mechanic for over 20 years. Plug wires are very often neglected, and the design of most new cars doesn't allow us to see everywhere there may be a crack or fault in the insulation. The long plug boots used in most newer cars often get hotspots and eventually start arcing through. I change the wires in all of my cars at least once every two years. (If you buy quality, lifetime warranty wires from a parts store and keep the box and receipt, you won't ever have to buy another set again!)

Answer 4

They should last the lifetime of the car. If they show signs of cracking or arcing they should be replaced. Any auto parts store usually carry a set for $29-39 Avoid the dealer if you can. Rough idling or poor performance can be an indication of lousy spark generation, but the culprit ranges from your distributor, coil, wires and down to the plugs. Yearly tune-ups by a certified mechanic will give you the low-down on the condition of your electrical system.

Answer 5

It all depends. Some ppl wait 60k miles...some wait to see cracks, but cracks in the wires doesnt make it a bad plug, its called NORMAL WEAR! Damn these people above me crack me up. Whenever your car acts like its missing, losing HP, acceleration, anything, replace the plugs and wires. Don't just replace the wires, do the plugs as well. That way you can get extreme performance out of your car.

Answer 6

I knew when I came out of work and somebody had stolen the engine. So far, I've scraped up enough cash to buy new spark plug wires, a fan belt & 2 pistons. If I can find a second job, I think I should have a whole new engine by the end of 2027.

Answer 7

the answers about arcing are correct, but these wires go about 5" into the valve cover where they can arc & u cant see em. if they have 60k or better, if your car hesitates noticeably under acceleration or on hills, you should replace them. first, pull the ends out of the valve cover. if they drip oil, youll need to replace the plug well seals to protect the new wires. factory wires are good, but expect to pay ab $60 or so. many aftermarket wires are junk- but if you can find ngk cheaper than honda wires, theyre very good too

Answer 8

well if ur getting some rough running? run ur engine at night in a dark place , lights off,,ull see arking of the spark if they need replacing,,usually that will be the first clue,,,also check the ends witha test light with a probe end, probe till motor dies down , make sure u ground test light on fender

Answer 9

If your car is running rough and miss firing, sometimes just giving the plugs and the lead ends a clean with some sand paper can help if you are short of cash this will get you through until you can afford to replace them.

Answer 10

if it's a '94 then it wouldn't hurt...but you can check them by doing a few checks. One easy check is in the dark .....start the engine and open the hood..if you see arcs from the spark plug wires...then they are bad. another thing is look at them...if they are swollen then change them.

That's about it