Spark Plug Wires - When To Change?
 

I'm getting ready to change the cap, rotor, and plugs in my P/U. The wires have about 90K on them. How often should they be changed? The truck seems to run fine now. I have no problem changing them, I just don't want to throw money away if I don't need to.

Thanks!

Ray

Have they ever been changed? What kind of weather has the truck been exposed to over the years?

It's probably about time to change them...I think I did mine around 80k and noticed that the truck just seemed to run smoother overall.

If they're never been changed, and if you've spent time going through the mountain passes (so, salt exposure versus just rain) then it's time.

Thanks for the reply Mark. If I remember right I changed them out at around 60K. The truck now has 156K on it. I have always lived in the Puget Sound area so that should give you some idea of the environmental factors. I can't remember what the wires cost the last time. I seem to remember them being pretty expensive though. That's why I don't want to change them unless I have to.

Thanks again!

Ray

I usually go by time for wires....about 6-8 years max before changing.
The year is usually printed right on the wire.
I prefer OEM wires also but it is up to you. :bigok:

Hmmm... okay, so you're looking at about 100k miles in fairly moderate weather.

I did mine about the first year I moved here... from Chicago. :) So that was 4 4-month long winters of salt filled roads, plus 100*+ air temps in the summer. They were due. :)

You're probably okay... Price wise, i think I paid $40 for a set of Fram direct replacements from Schuck's.

If you feel antsy in another year or so, move up a notch to larger gauge wires and you may pick up some response from the rig.

Yeah, probably about time... just swap them out for a new set and save the old ones for spares. They come in handy when one melts to that neat header you just had to have!:pat:

Lol.. guess it is time to change the wires on the old pickup.. i need a tune-up anyway.. and the current wires have never been changed.. so they are 16 years old and have 131k on them :(

I remember reading in my factory manual that you can do a resistance check on 'em to see if they're still good.