Wire Maintenance
Key To Vehicle Performance
Courtesy Of The Car Care Council
If your car, light truck or sport utility vehicle just doesn’t seem to be
running the way you think it should, the culprit could be worn or damaged spark plug
wires.
Worn or damaged spark plug wires can cause a misfire condition that could result in engine
starting difficulty, rough idle, lack of acceleration, rough running engine, lower fuel
mileage, and/or excessive emissions.
"Preventative maintenance on spark plug wire sets is a relatively easy
proposition," according to Mike McKee, wire products product manager at Federal-Mogul
Corporation. "There are some easy visual inspections, as well as some more extensive
testing procedures that will help ensure safe, efficient vehicle operation."
Here are some visual techniques you can use to determine if it is necessary to replace the
spark plug wires on your vehicle:
With the engine running, look at the wires and listen for any
sign of:
Arcing -
Intermittent spark occurring anywhere along the exterior of the spark plug wires can cause
this effect. This is typically seen as a short blue spark and heard as a cracking or
snapping noise. You should look closely at points along the spark plug wire that are close
to ground planes or other wiring.
With the engine not running, look at all wires for signs
of:
Dirt/Soiling - Make sure the wire, boots, and nipples are not caked
with oil, grease or dirt.
Exterior damage - Make sure
the wire, boots, and nipples have no burns, cracks, chafing, or obvious signs of damage
such as cuts, swelling, etc. You can compare the wires to each other to determine if
damage exists.
Electrical Tracking - Ensure
there are no signs of tracking on the boots, spark plugs, wires, and nipples, and wire to
coil/distributor tower (if applicable). Tracking is most commonly seen as a thin erratic
burn line on the outside surface of the spark plug and/or coil; the inside surface of the
boot or nipple; or the outside surface of the wire at the end of the boot and/or nipple.
Arcing to Grounds - Make
sure the spark plug wires are not arcing to any ground surface such as an exhaust
manifold, engine bracket, or heater hose. Spark plug wires should not be in contact or
within 1/2" of any potential grounding surface.
Heat Aging - Make sure the
wire, boots, and nipples are not too hard, too soft, or spongy by squeezing them with your
fingers. These rubber components should feel firm, like a pencil eraser.
MARATHON AUTO AIR & ELECTRIC SERVICE
