Spark Plugs ?

Ken, do you have the fancy distributor-less ignition? If so, you likely have a coil pack going bad. I lose one in my VW about every 25K miles, and I have changed my plugs every 35K whether they needed it or not. You are also likely due for a PCV valve change (which is probably not in your scheduled maintenance section of your owner's manual).

As for the difficulty of changing plugs, on my VW it's a matter of disconnecting the wire at the coil pack, pulling the coil pack off the plug, then business as usual.

BOSOX said:

196,000 out of the original tune up, That's amazing! Have you ever serviced the anti-freeze, trans. or injection?

No idea on what's in store for you to change the plugs though. Good luck!

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Antifreeze has been done at least twice and I think 3 times.

Trans has been done twice for sure.

Injectors ? Nope just additive injector cleaner done a few times.

I'm gonna start with new plugs this evening, gotta TRY to get it in the garage, it's getting COLD

Make sure you use Platinum at minimum, better to upgrade to the iridium plugs for best efficiency. Replacing all 8 coil packs could get very pricey, no plug wires on this one. If you have a coil pack going bad, it usually misses really bad at idle and smooths out a little at higher rpms, sounds like you definitely need plugs first, then go from there. Fuel filter is a must to if it hasn't been changed in a while.
Couple could be tight where the engine sits up by the engine cover. Overall should be easy access once you remove the engine cover from the interior

Just pray they come out,instead of snapping off in the heads...thats my biggest fear about replacing plugs in our '93 Caravan,that has "only" 88K,but is also nearly 20 years old,thats a long enough time to let the plugs seize in the aluminum heads...if I bust one of the rear plugs off--its DONE!..its got so many other issues,that fixing that wouldn't be worth it...(never had a timing belt,or coolant flush,even the fuel filter is original!--brake lines are all ready to pop too,and the original exhaust is about to fall off it too)...

Some engines with individual coils have boots made onto them that connect the spark plugs to the coil,and the plugs are WAY down in a deep well--many times those boots get oil soaked or crack,and let the spark jump to the head instead of firing the plugs--the coils often fail too,they can crack or get corroded wiring inside the windings and cause intermittent misfires...my friend replaces a lot of coils at his shop on later model vehicles,they seem to fail often and certain cars "eat" them it seems!..

I dont like platinum plugs,they didn't work well in my older GM vehicles,I would only use them if the factory put them in or reccomended them,if it were my vehicle..

hotrodzz4 said:

use the longer wires, they fit either coil. also make sure the engine is overnight cold or you may face stripping a plug out. If the check engine light is flashing, not solid on it means there is a situation which can lead to serious damage to the catalytic converters.

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It only flashes at 70 mph or above. It was only once in a while before, the past week or so it's everytime I drive about 70.

If I drive below 70 it's steady. But if I drive below 70 on some highways near me, I'd be rear ended.

I'll be sure to make sure the engine is cool :thanku:

And :thanku: to everyone else that has posted :fing32:

Ken in NJ said:

I just picked up 8 ACDelco iridium plugs. Figured I'd stick with direct replacements.

$60.69 with tax.

Came home and for the heck of it, I checked eBay $41.99 no tax and free shipping. So for $18.70 the ones I have now are going back the next time I pass advance auto parts.

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I probably pay way too much way too frequently because I buy exclusively from my local NAPA. But I like dealing with parts people who know their rear ends from rabbit holes. Oh, and I can get a lot of my tractor stuff there too!

Ken in NJ said:

I just picked up 8 ACDelco iridium plugs. Figured I'd stick with direct replacements.

$60.69 with tax.

Came home and for the heck of it, I checked eBay $41.99 no tax and free shipping. So for $18.70 the ones I have now are going back the next time I pass advance auto parts.

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Are they the verysame pluggs ken? its a real good idea to stick with the same plug that it came with. Todays engines are designed so tight on tolerances that something as simple as a wrong plug can make it run like junk. I see it all the time.

Ingersoll444 said:

Are they the verysame pluggs ken? its a real good idea to stick with the same plug that it came with. Todays engines are designed so tight on tolerances that something as simple as a wrong plug can make it run like junk. I see it all the time.

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Yes Paul, both AC Delcos same #'s

I also bought my rear brake pads off of eBay last week. Same deal, they were about 20 bucks cheaper then anyplace local, both the pads and plugs from a place in Brooklyn, NY.
I did buy those Akebono pads that I asked you about. :fing32: