Is everyone changing plugs every 10k?

[blue62]

Originally Posted by mikehkang

How often do you change your plugs?
How about the ignition coils?

Your going to get a ton of different opinions on both those Items.

I don't change coils unless there is an issue with them.
Such as misfires or cracks in the housing or other defects.
Something that affects their ability to work as they should.

Plugs more or less the same:
Modern day plugs last many miles.
You can pull them and check them on what ever schedule you think is effective.

But something to keep in mind:
If you pull your plugs and replace them you want to replace the "crush washer" on them.
That washer is designed to seal the plug to the head. They are a "one time use" washer.
If you reuse them over several plug changes you risk minor compression leaks that in most cases you cannot detect.
I don't know about other people but I have a very hard time finding those crush washers.

So if my engine is running right I leave things like plugs and coils alone.
I hook up my vacuum gauge, and scanner once or twice a year.
I also watch things like fuel mileage and just the way the car performs and feels.
By doing those things I know if I need to look at my plugs and or coils.

[10/10ths]

….the owner’s manual.

Written by the folks who built your car.

[mikehkang]

Originally Posted by 10/10ths

….the owner’s manual.

Written by the folks who built your car.

That's a very good point.
However, aren't most of us follow more frequent maintenance schedule? Like oil change?

[mikehkang]

Originally Posted by blue62

Your going to get a ton of different opinions on both those Items.

I don't change coils unless there is an issue with them.
Such as misfires or cracks in the housing or other defects.
Something that affects their ability to work as they should.

Plugs more or less the same:
Modern day plugs last many miles.
You can pull them and check them on what ever schedule you think is effective.

But something to keep in mind:
If you pull your plugs and replace them you want to replace the "crush washer" on them.
That washer is designed to seal the plug to the head. They are a "one time use" washer.
If you reuse them over several plug changes you risk minor compression leaks that in most cases you cannot detect.
I don't know about other people but I have a very hard time finding those crush washers.

So if my engine is running right I leave things like plugs and coils alone.
I hook up my vacuum gauge, and scanner once or twice a year.
I also watch things like fuel mileage and just the way the car performs and feels.
By doing those things I know if I need to look at my plugs and or coils.

Hi blue62,
Don't you get one crush washer with a new plug?

[Rob175]

My 98' (5 speed w/91,000 miles) runs very well. I drive about 4,000 to 5,000 SUMMER miles a year and typically get about 27-28 mpg in mostly city and some expressway driving. In the 16 years I've owned the car I've never had a "tune-up" done.

Even though the car appears to run great, my "indi" recommends that i should have a tune up done....he suggests ALL plugs, ALL coils, replace Serpentine belt, Fuel filter and Air filter (I did change the air filter 2 years (8.000 miles ago).....$1,300.

Since the car is running "great" (in my opinion) and there are no thrown codes should I go ahead and get a tune-up or just continue to have fun and drive it and monitor it?

[mikehkang]

Originally Posted by Rob175

My 98' (5 speed w/91,000 miles) runs very well. I drive about 4,000 to 5,000 SUMMER miles a year and typically get about 27-28 mpg in mostly city and some expressway driving. In the 16 years I've owned the car I've never had a "tune-up" done.

Even though the car appears to run great, my "indi" recommends that i should have a tune up done....he suggests ALL plugs, ALL coils, replace Serpentine belt, Fuel filter and Air filter (I did change the air filter 2 years (8.000 miles ago).....$1,300.

Since the car is running "great" (in my opinion) and there are no thrown codes should I go ahead and get a tune-up or just continue to have fun and drive it and monitor it?

That's great!

[blue62]

Originally Posted by mikehkang

Hi blue62,
Don't you get one crush washer with a new plug?

Yes that is correct. It is on the plug.
What I was referring to is:
If you pull the plugs to check them as part of your maintenance schedule.
Then replace them (because they look fine). You need a new crush washer.

In days gone-by: You pulled your plugs, cleaned and gaped them every time you dressed and gaped your points and set your dwell.
(about every 30000-35000 miles)
So you replaced the crush washers every time you cleaned gaped and reused your plugs.
Back then the washers were very easy to come by. I would have 20-30 in the tool box.
Not easy to find them now days.

I have a schedule for all maintenance items on my cars.
But I also let the car tell me what it needs.
Example:
I have oil changes on a 5000 mile schedule.
But if the oil is discolored or dirty when I check it with only 2000 miles on it I change it.

[mikehkang]

Originally Posted by blue62

Yes that is correct. It is on the plug.
What I was referring to is:
If you pull the plugs to check them as part of your maintenance schedule.
Then replace them (because they look fine). You need a new crush washer.

In days gone-by: You pulled your plugs, cleaned and gaped them every time you dressed and gaped your points and set your dwell.
(about every 30000-35000 miles)
So you replaced the crush washers every time you cleaned gaped and reused your plugs.
Back then the washers were very easy to come by. I would have 20-30 in the tool box.
Not easy to find them now days.

I have a schedule for all maintenance items on my cars.
But I also let the car tell me what it needs.
Example:
I have oil changes on a 5000 mile schedule.
But if the oil is discolored or dirty when I check it with only 2000 miles on it I change it.

Perhaps there is a business opportunity there - sell crush washers on Amazon.

How are you checking the oil discoloration? There is not much oil on the dip stick. From the filter housing maybe?

[blue62]

Originally Posted by mikehkang

Perhaps there is a business opportunity there - sell crush washers on Amazon.

How are you checking the oil discoloration? There is not much oil on the dip stick. From the filter housing maybe?

From the dipstick.
The Porsche is a little difficult to see on the dipstick.
So just look at it or wipe it on a whiter paper towel.
Several dips and wipes if I need to.
My Honda CRV and Ford truck.
No problem to see the oil on the dipstick.

[mikehkang]

Originally Posted by blue62

From the dipstick.
The Porsche is a little difficult to see on the dipstick.
So just look at it or wipe it on a whiter paper towel.
Several dips and wipes if I need to.
My Honda CRV and Ford truck.
No problem to see the oil on the dipstick.

I will try that too. Thank you.

[blue62]

Originally Posted by mikehkang

I will try that too. Thank you.

Mike:

The oil in the Boxster doesn't discolor much only has 57,000 miles on it.
The Honda CRV oil discolors and starts to look dark before the change it has 162,000 on it.
The Truck has 114,000 and is a 1993 with a 460Ci in it.
The oil begins to discolor rather quickly.

Each engine is different.
Each vehicle is used differently.
Each one has different needs.
That is why I let my cars tell me what they need and when they need it to keep running right.