Wayne02
Member
My GMC claims to have a 100,000 mile spark plug service interval. Anybody let their plugs go 100,000 miles before changing? If so, how did the old ones look? Did you notice any performance difference with the new plugs?
100,000 mile spark plug change interval - fact or fiction?
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gunsmith11
Member
97 ford F150, changed the plugs at 160,00 because I was starting too feel guilty, truck was running fine, left bank still had a lot of miles, right bank electrodes were down to a nubbin, new plugs did not change perfornace, but the right bank did not have far to go....truck now has 205,000
diamonback68
US Veteran
Fact!
Don't waste your money changing them earlier.
Don't waste your money changing them earlier.
elcruisr
US Veteran
Just changed 'em on my For Ranger at 100,000. They were indeed well worn but the engine was still running fine.
Landpimp
Member
2000 Land Cruiser, plugs good to 120K, I replaced at 125K, plugs will looked good
Jerry in SC
Member
Changed mine at 125K (2003 Toyota Camry now with 215K).
100,000
Yes ,100,000 miles on the new car spark plugs. Actually went to a dealer to have the 99 f-150 tuned up at 80,000, he changed the fuel filters and a few other things and told me the plugs were good (didn't change)At 100,000 + went to a different shop , had another problem and he did change the plugs . He said that at@100,000miles the coils may start to break down if the plugs are going bad. had them changed, good to go another 100,000 miles **##// the cash for clunkers deal
Yes ,100,000 miles on the new car spark plugs. Actually went to a dealer to have the 99 f-150 tuned up at 80,000, he changed the fuel filters and a few other things and told me the plugs were good (didn't change)At 100,000 + went to a different shop , had another problem and he did change the plugs . He said that at@100,000miles the coils may start to break down if the plugs are going bad. had them changed, good to go another 100,000 miles **##// the cash for clunkers deal
cass
Member
I'm "old school". They're not that expensive, so I change them yearly. Same goes for oil/filter changes.
michael thornton
Member
well i have 189,000 on my truck with the same plugs that it came with, still gets about 20 mpg like it did new,i think the plug wires go bad before the plugs do, mike
diamonback68
US Veteran
It's your money, but you are wasting it and gaining nothing.
Landpimp
Member
the 8 plugs for my 2000 Cruiser at my cost were $70, I'd feel bad tossing that much away every year
now on my old Cruisers, I change them.....well when I think they need it.....I keep all tune up parts in stock at my house.
even got points on my 64 still.....gap them with a matchbook
now on my old Cruisers, I change them.....well when I think they need it.....I keep all tune up parts in stock at my house.
even got points on my 64 still.....gap them with a matchbook
I get to pay the bills on a sales fleet. Some of the aluminium headed cars have been known to take the threads out with the high mileage plugs. That takes an easy job and makes it harder ($$$). Yes, in cast iron they may come out after 100K. But plugs do get higher resistance as they get older, coils and wires have to work harder for a spark. For my money (and the company's) I change the plugs early. I do skip the plug change on my diesels.
Andy Griffith
Member
I agree that on certain vehicles, especially with designs of engines that are based on British or old Buick designs, the plugs do actually have to be changed often, but the wires more often than the plugs!
Usually in the 40-50K range, a set of wires are due.
I do have brand new set of 1940's A-25 Champion plugs that I found in the back of our local hardware store...I paid 10[FONT="]¢ each for them a few years ago, which must have been the original price. Of course, these are meant for Model A's or for old tractors, generators or anything with a Model A style motor. But I've never had to change the plugs.
[/FONT]
Usually in the 40-50K range, a set of wires are due.
I do have brand new set of 1940's A-25 Champion plugs that I found in the back of our local hardware store...I paid 10[FONT="]¢ each for them a few years ago, which must have been the original price. Of course, these are meant for Model A's or for old tractors, generators or anything with a Model A style motor. But I've never had to change the plugs.
[/FONT]
Spotteddog
Member
Yes (verified) they will go 100K.
When I did it (mid 80's) it was on a single unit in a police fleet. Even though these were early OBD still running carburetor's (84' Chevy Impala 350 CID 4bbl.), and W/O any exotic plug electrode materials. These were pre-individual coils and still running 8MM wires. IIRC the example car had 116K on it, before losing a plug. I had trouble buying in too, coming from a 60's high performance background. Now, with FAR more sophisticated engine control systems, improved electronics, and unknown "back in the day" spark plug materials, barring an engine getting coolant or oil in the wrong place, yes I'd sign on to the concept.
My only caveat would be, were I intending to keep one 100K+, and it ran aluminum heads? I might invest in a set of new plugs at the 2-3 year mark, this would only be so I could get some anti-seize on to the threads in the head? Hell! If they looked good at that time and I hadn't boogered up a plug getting it out, I might just re-install it after the anti-seize went on.
When I did it (mid 80's) it was on a single unit in a police fleet. Even though these were early OBD still running carburetor's (84' Chevy Impala 350 CID 4bbl.), and W/O any exotic plug electrode materials. These were pre-individual coils and still running 8MM wires. IIRC the example car had 116K on it, before losing a plug. I had trouble buying in too, coming from a 60's high performance background. Now, with FAR more sophisticated engine control systems, improved electronics, and unknown "back in the day" spark plug materials, barring an engine getting coolant or oil in the wrong place, yes I'd sign on to the concept.
My only caveat would be, were I intending to keep one 100K+, and it ran aluminum heads? I might invest in a set of new plugs at the 2-3 year mark, this would only be so I could get some anti-seize on to the threads in the head? Hell! If they looked good at that time and I hadn't boogered up a plug getting it out, I might just re-install it after the anti-seize went on.
m657
Member
....got 64K on a 2005 Hemi Ram....no sign it needs 'em yet.....
My first venture into the idea....plugs lasting longer than the old VALVES used to!!!! The idea!!! The last new car I bought was a 69 beetle....despite meticulous care & attention, burnt valves @ 43K.
My first venture into the idea....plugs lasting longer than the old VALVES used to!!!! The idea!!! The last new car I bought was a 69 beetle....despite meticulous care & attention, burnt valves @ 43K.
Spotteddog
Member
The marvels of pre-Stellite 77's valves, on an air cooled!
Its why H-D's used to need a freshening up on the heads once every 2 seasons. Iron head Sportsters or aluminum big twin shovel's, same/same.
I recall guys running Sodium filled exhaust valves on the Beetle's, but even that did nothing to help the seats?
Its why H-D's used to need a freshening up on the heads once every 2 seasons. Iron head Sportsters or aluminum big twin shovel's, same/same.
I recall guys running Sodium filled exhaust valves on the Beetle's, but even that did nothing to help the seats?
Senior Citizen
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XXXXXXXX
Bought a Pontiac GP in 1992 for teh wife. Traded it in 2005 for an Impala. GP had 114K on it when I traded it in. Got the same 29mpg day after day. 2005 Impala has 84K on it and feels just as fresh as the day I bought it.
I have no idea what brand of plugs were/are in them though. All I ever did to the GP was replace the battery once in 13 years and put a new altenator on it. Change oil every 5K too. That's all.
scottaschultz
Member
1999 Jeep Cherokee with 237,000 miles - 2nd set of spark plugs and 3rd set of tires (Uniroyal Laredo)
Scott
Scott
paper killer
Member
If the gap gets big because of electrode erosion, the spark plug wires will break down because of excessive resistance . I went 100.000 on a 2004 Mercury mountaineer, replaced plugs and wires.
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
I've changed the wires, but I don't think I've changed the plugs-maybe when I hit 300k I'll think about it
84CJ
US Veteran
I just finished changing mine at 60K (2002 Z71 5.3 ltr vortec). Plugs looked fine but the engine does seem to start easier(not that I was having a problem with starting). Many recommend checking them at 30k in aluminum heads cleaning the threads and reinstalling just to make sure they don't seize in the head and pull threads out. I thought if I pull them out I am going to replace them. Iridium plugs will last a very looooong time. Anti seize is the one thing no one could agree on some say absolutely others say no way. What ya gonna do? I used it very sparingly and torqued the new ones at the low side of the spec.
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buckeyeshooter1
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I drive a 1991 bmw 850I. It has 228,000 miles and still running very well. I had the plugs changed the first time at 158,000 miles. It was a big pricy as the plugs are gold plated (really) and run $22.00 each. It is a v-12 so you need 12 units. I'm guessing it will run these plugs for as long as I own it. It will still pass anything except a gas station.
One of my cars is an ultra-high performance 2009. I have owned five (5) of the same cars...different models from 1989 to 2009. Have never changed plugs in any of them. Present 2009 is not slated for any "real" maintenance for 100,000 miles; even oil changes are approximately every 10,000 miles. Serpentine belt and plugs are due for change at 100K; I won't own it then.
In another forum various shade tree mechanics overthink the wisdom of factory engineers who recommend the service intervals. Yes, the very same engineers who designed the car and work for the company that makes the car and which could profit from shorter service intervals. Oh, and the company also warrantees the car!!!!
I always read the service and owner manuals upon delivery and abide by their recommendations, schedules, and suggested operating procedures. Saves my dumb questions for me to ask herein.
Be safe.
In another forum various shade tree mechanics overthink the wisdom of factory engineers who recommend the service intervals. Yes, the very same engineers who designed the car and work for the company that makes the car and which could profit from shorter service intervals. Oh, and the company also warrantees the car!!!!
I always read the service and owner manuals upon delivery and abide by their recommendations, schedules, and suggested operating procedures. Saves my dumb questions for me to ask herein.
Be safe.
Bought a used 1991 Corolla back when. It had 70,000 miles on it when I bought it. Figured I'd change the plugs as part of a 100,000 mile tune-up when I discovered that 2 of the 4 plugs had been cross-threaded when the previous owner owned it. Damn, I thought, I guess I'll only be able to change 2 spark plugs. The Toyota is still running fine at 277,888 miles. Idles a bit rough, but the 4AFE engine is still breaking itself in.http://smith-wessonforum.com/images/icons/icon7.gif
mkk41
US Veteran
About a year and a half ago , I bought used but very well cared for '95 Silverado Z71 with 350 V8. It had 115,XXX miles and still had the original AC Delco spark plugs. The original owner said it never had or needed a tune up. They were so rusted on the outside , I soaked them with Kroil for a week befor attempting to remove them. I replaced them with Autolite Platinums , along with new GM cap , rotor and wires..
gunnut2u
Member
Monte carlo (02)
30.5 miles to the gallon new .(at around 10,000 miles)
190,000 miles later with original plugs , 28.7 miles to the gallon .
Fact not Fiction
30.5 miles to the gallon new .(at around 10,000 miles)
190,000 miles later with original plugs , 28.7 miles to the gallon .
Fact not Fiction
Put plugs in the 2000 suburban at 155,000. Seemed to start a little easier, didn't run any different.
I'm contemplating plugs in the '01 Ford F150 at 139,000. Think I will do it. Will need boots also (doesn't have wires...)
My plugs are about $9. a piece, boots are about $6.
15 x 8 = $120.
I'm contemplating plugs in the '01 Ford F150 at 139,000. Think I will do it. Will need boots also (doesn't have wires...)
My plugs are about $9. a piece, boots are about $6.
15 x 8 = $120.
Smitty500Mag
Member
Changed plugs in my work car a Mitsubishi Galant at 127,000 miles and they didn't need it. The electronic ignition on cars today puts out such a hot spark they'd fire a pine knot.
Smitty
Smitty
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