How often should I change spark plug and sitributor wires? Is there any way to tell if they are going bad or need attention?

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

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.

 

Bosch are the worst of the worst plugs out there! Buy some OEM Denso Iridium. http://www.densoiridium.com/

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

I have heard many bad things about Bosch.

I would stick with either NGK or Denso.

 

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.