Honda Accord (1990 - 2002) Includes 1997 - 1999 Acura CL

How often you should change spark plug and wires?

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Old 06-22-2010, 06:53 AM
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Default How often you should change spark plug and wires?

How often should I change spark plug and sitributor wires? Is there any way to tell if they are going bad or need attention?
Old 06-22-2010, 08:02 AM
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Default Re: How often you should change spark plug and wires?

plugs are recommended to be changed about every 25-30K, but they are okay as long as your engine is still running and your mileage hasn't dropped. wires are good for longer, but the same thing still applies to them. I usually change wires every other plug change.
Old 06-22-2010, 11:25 AM
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Default Re: How often you should change spark plug and wires?

ok thanks. I will probably need to change the plugs then first. Should I buy it from dealer? or autozone/advance auto is fine? Someone told me to get Bosch platinum.
Old 06-22-2010, 11:36 AM
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Default Re: How often you should change spark plug and wires?

some guys may tell you to use the OE plugs, but Bosch Platinum will be just fine. That's what I use, and they've been great. remember to apply anti-sieze to the threads and torque to spec on a COLD engine.
Old 06-22-2010, 12:45 PM
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Default Re: How often you should change spark plug and wires?

Originally Posted by sgraham01
plugs are recommended to be changed about every 25-30K, but they are okay as long as your engine is still running and your mileage hasn't dropped. wires are good for longer, but the same thing still applies to them. I usually change wires every other plug change.
True on the plugs. The wires can go as long as they are not damaged and still have good connectivity (meaning they properly snap onto the distributor and the plugs and seal well around them). My wires went 200,000 miles before I changed them out because two of them were having trouble connecting properly.

Originally Posted by my93accord
ok thanks. I will probably need to change the plugs then first. Should I buy it from dealer? or autozone/advance auto is fine? Someone told me to get Bosch platinum.
Originally Posted by sgraham01
some guys may tell you to use the OE plugs, but Bosch Platinum will be just fine. That's what I use, and they've been great. remember to apply anti-sieze to the threads and torque to spec on a COLD engine.
Auto parts store is fine. Like sgraham01 said, the Bosch may work just fine, but I usually recommend people go with NGK (the OEM plug). It doesn't matter too much until you start getting into more modified engines.
Old 06-22-2010, 12:46 PM
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Default Re: How often you should change spark plug and wires?

Bosch are the worst of the worst plugs out there! Buy some OEM Denso Iridium. http://www.densoiridium.com/
Old 06-22-2010, 12:53 PM
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Default Re: How often you should change spark plug and wires?

Iridium is completely unnecessary, and I'm pretty sure there's no such thing as an OEM Iridium plug for a '93 Accord. I told you there would be a debate on this.
Old 06-22-2010, 01:06 PM
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Default Re: How often you should change spark plug and wires?

Originally Posted by HonBeer
Bosch are the worst of the worst plugs out there! Buy some OEM Denso Iridium. http://www.densoiridium.com/
I was told the same thing about Bosch so I quickly pulled them & added the NGK's (including wires). They were even ruining my buddy's 94 Buick Le Sabre.
Old 06-22-2010, 01:11 PM
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Default Re: How often you should change spark plug and wires?

Originally Posted by rastarythm
I was told the same thing about Bosch so I quickly pulled them & added the NGK's (including wires). They were even ruining my buddy's 94 Buick Le Sabre.
Interesting. I haven't had any trouble with them when using them in my friends cars.

Not that I haven't heard my share of bad stories, but they've only been more recently.
Old 06-22-2010, 01:56 PM
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Default Re: How often you should change spark plug and wires?

Personally, I think the best value for performance vs price is the NGK G-power platinum alloy.. It can be had for less than $3 each and will definitely last longer than copper plugs..

I personally run NGK iridium IX but that is honestly overkill in most cases.... Give the G-power a try
Old 06-22-2010, 04:19 PM
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Default Re: How often you should change spark plug and wires?

Originally Posted by nicolaselias
Personally, I think the best value for performance vs price is the NGK G-power platinum alloy.. It can be had for less than $3 each and will definitely last longer than copper plugs..
Just put new ones in my car a month ago. They've always worked great.

I was running E3 plugs before to see if they did anything and I personally saw no noticeable difference between the two. If there was, it wasn't worth the extra money I paid for the E3's.
Old 06-22-2010, 04:53 PM
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Default Re: How often you should change spark plug and wires?

I have NGK Iridium tipped plugs... originally the previous owners maintenance mechanic put Bosch's in there. The wires I have are Accell 8mm 300 + Thundersports or something, they seem to work fine and no I didn't notice a difference.
Old 06-22-2010, 06:37 PM
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Default Re: How often you should change spark plug and wires?

Inspect the parts, I would at least pull one spark plug and look at the electrode, if it's worn, it's time. On the cap & rotor, just pop the cap off and take a look, if it looks new leave alone, if you have doubts replace.
Old 06-22-2010, 06:58 PM
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Default Re: How often you should change spark plug and wires?

denso or NGK from Autozone are perfectly fine and 1.99 a plug for coppers and about 2.99 for TT platinums. You can check the resistance on your wires and if they are in spec leave them. Might be good to check your cap and rotor if its been a while. What I usually do is just go on ebay, find a "package". Usually honda dealers have a tune up package. I got one for my accord a couple of years ago for 90 bucks: OEM wires, plugs, cap, rotor, oil filter and oil drain plug washer plus 7 dollars shipping.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/92-93...Q5fAccessories
Old 06-22-2010, 08:44 PM
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Default Re: How often you should change spark plug and wires?

Just to add, before, I thought Bosch were really good, but after researching some more and from personal experience, they are the worst! Stick with the NGK or Denso. For myself, the NGK Iridium IX were cheap (compared to Denso). Not much difference if you go for Iridium, but it felt smoother climbing to the higher RPM. Thanks to the finer tip.
Old 06-22-2010, 10:16 PM
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Default Re: How often you should change spark plug and wires?

Truth is, the electrode of the NGK G-power is actually thinner (slightly) than the Iridium IX..

The smallest one I have ever heard of is is the denso iridium power which is TINY at .016" inches or .4mm .. its roughly 1/3 the diameter of the average platinum/iridium plug

------------

So I have a question myself... I can't get the OEM dist cap and rotor for my car seeing as the dealership doesnt stock it where my car is based (outside the US) and it is a completely different designed rotor and cap to what you got here...
Seeing as I cant change it, is there any way to "service" it to get it to its optimal efficiency?

Thanks
Old 06-22-2010, 11:53 PM
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Default Re: How often you should change spark plug and wires?

I have heard many bad things about Bosch.

I would stick with either NGK or Denso.
Old 06-23-2010, 01:19 AM
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Default Re: How often you should change spark plug and wires?

Go to walmart and buy two packs of 4301 Bosch Double Platinum plugs and put em in. They work incredibly.

I tend to change out the rotor, cap, and plugs when my car starts losing mpg's or when they start looking like they're used.
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