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spark plugs changed at 40k

3K views 28 replies 18 participants last post by  ranmcc 
#1 ·
doesnt 40k seem a little early to have spark plugs changed?..as its done in the 40k mile service.
 
#6 ·
I had mine changed at 47,000 and they were fine. Checking them is easy, so I just wait till they need it unless concerned about anything with warranty.

They get black from other problems - like when my MAF was going bad at 60,000 miles. After that was fixed, the car cleaned up the plugs - I didn't even need new.
 
#9 ·
1.8T ignition is a little flaky, so most agree it's best to stick with whatever your factory plugs were, or else the simple and cheap Autolites many have had good luck with.

The NGK factory plugs are unbelievably expensive ($12-25 each!!!), but if you go to the Bosch website, you may notice that Bosch recommends the same ($4) factory Bosch 'F7LTCR' plugs for the later NGK -equipped engines as for the earlier Bosch -equipped engines....

40K really isn't early by 1980s standards...and like I said the ignition on this car is a bit flaky...the car tends to run a bit rich even when the ECU says everything is working correclty so there's a high chance your plugs will be black when you pull them out.
 
#15 ·
Changed mine with AC Delco at 40k, because that's all that Autozone had. I figured what the heck, spark plugs are spark plugs. At 55k I started getting horrible hesitation/surging. I changed diverter valves and vacuum lines, didn't fix the problem. Also got a flashing CEL and "Cylinder No.2 Misfire Detected."

Bought some of the Denso 5061 plugs from Autozone, and problems went away! Just looking at the Denso plugs, you can tell they are of a higher quality than the AC Delcos. And they're only like 2 bucks a pop or something ridiculously cheap like that.
 
#16 ·
Triumph said:
Changed mine with AC Delco at 40k, because that's all that Autozone had. I figured what the heck, spark plugs are spark plugs. At 55k I started getting horrible hesitation/surging. I changed diverter valves and vacuum lines, didn't fix the problem. Also got a flashing CEL and "Cylinder No.2 Misfire Detected."
Man,

Thats some good info for all of us that are unsure what plugs to stay away from. Thanks for sharing your experience!
 
#25 ·
Sharky said:
Triumph said:
I'm still getting misfiring after changing plugs. No idea what the problem could be.
Starts with D, ends in O....
hehe, well they fixed the surging problem! besides, it just so happens that the same cylinder is misfiring both before and after changing plugs. that points to a problem other than the plugs themselves.
 
#26 ·
Triumph said:
Sharky said:
Triumph said:
I'm still getting misfiring after changing plugs. No idea what the problem could be.
Starts with D, ends in O....
hehe, well they fixed the surging problem! besides, it just so happens that the same cylinder is misfiring both before and after changing plugs. that points to a problem other than the plugs themselves.
Well okay fine be that way!!! :)
 
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