Plug wire arc'ing
09-30-2008, 08:41 PM
#16
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Originally Posted by nitrojunky
if you can see arcing at night, you need to replace the wires or plug before doing anything else. very likely culprit. also, fwiw, hit the boots with some dielectric grease when you put them on (they'll come off easier later and it'll help a little extra)
10-01-2008, 11:01 AM
#17
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Location: Mountain Top, Pennsylvania
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I would hate to pay a shop for this job. Sounds like an Opti. Get a cap and opti from autozone and put it on. If it works then great, if not then return it.
If you bring it to the shop you are going to be paying them to do the same thing i bet...just throw parts at it.
If you bring it to the shop you are going to be paying them to do the same thing i bet...just throw parts at it.
10-01-2008, 11:08 AM
#18
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Location: Maryland
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The Opti is not hard at all to replace. Pull the water pump off and unbolt it from the timing cover chain.
(you have to remove the air intake, maybe the alternator and the ratiator hoses)
First time i did it i took me 1 hour start to finish, second time i did it in about 30 minutes.
If you want to drive to MD with the new one i will put it on for you in my driveway!
(you have to remove the air intake, maybe the alternator and the ratiator hoses)
First time i did it i took me 1 hour start to finish, second time i did it in about 30 minutes.
If you want to drive to MD with the new one i will put it on for you in my driveway!
10-01-2008, 11:21 AM
#19
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Location: Sandy VJJville
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Well I took it for it's appointment this morning...told them I had a Z28 parts car, I want to know what's wrong with it and then they can repair it for me. How hard is it to replace an opti?? And BTW...took another look last night, even after replacing the wire it still seemed to be arcing
10-01-2008, 12:01 PM
#21
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Location: Maryland
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Man, if you have time and not the money it might be worth just trying to replace the cap and rotor. I thinks its about $100 from your local parts store.
If you are not getting the ses code for the Opti them chances are, let me make that clear CHANCES are it is only the cap and rotor that need replacing.
ALOS, a bad opti can foul your plugs causing even a good plug wire to arch.
If you are not getting the ses code for the Opti them chances are, let me make that clear CHANCES are it is only the cap and rotor that need replacing.
ALOS, a bad opti can foul your plugs causing even a good plug wire to arch.
10-01-2008, 12:03 PM
#22
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Location: Maryland
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Is your car at the shop now? You might want to call them and tell them to forget about fixing it.
If you think the parts are a lot for what you can find them for...wait untill you see the bill from shop. I think over $1000 would not be a surprise.
If you think the parts are a lot for what you can find them for...wait untill you see the bill from shop. I think over $1000 would not be a surprise.
10-01-2008, 12:05 PM
#23
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Location: Lake Hopatcong N.J
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My 3800 V6 Camaro was the same way, I went through 2 sets of wires in a short period.
I eventually bought this very expensive silver wrapping stuff that I split and formed around the wires, it helped extend the life. On really hot days in traffic the performance was horrible due to the arcing.
I did lift the car and adjust the little slack in the wires, I found my #6 was resting along the passenger header and burning through.
If I had kept that car any longer I was going to replace the wires with really heavy duty quality ones and wrap everything.
I eventually bought this very expensive silver wrapping stuff that I split and formed around the wires, it helped extend the life. On really hot days in traffic the performance was horrible due to the arcing.
I did lift the car and adjust the little slack in the wires, I found my #6 was resting along the passenger header and burning through.
If I had kept that car any longer I was going to replace the wires with really heavy duty quality ones and wrap everything.
10-01-2008, 07:33 PM
#24
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Location: Mountain Top, Pennsylvania
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I think it could be my opti or something...my car has no fender guards above my passenger tire so no water can get up there, I noticed it started the one night it was pouring rain really hard and it got bad. I can get an opti for 200, my garage will work with me. But my plug was still arc'ing even after changing the wire! All I know it was missing really bad, almost to the point where it struggled to get up even tiny hills. I didn't have any SES light or anything *I did when it poured that one night* but not since then
10-02-2008, 07:54 AM
#25
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Location: Maryland
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This isnt a used opti right? I wouldnt buy a used one with 1 mile on it for $10. Some come bad brand new, so keep your receipt.
It sounds like its the Opti, faouling plugs causing a missfire causing the plug wires to arch.
Just remember their are a million other things it could be too.
Since it is at the shop you are pretty much SOL now. I honestly dont even like them changing my tire or oil.
The best advise is do the work yourself if you have the time. The people in the tech section can walk you through just about ANY fix to the car.
It sounds like its the Opti, faouling plugs causing a missfire causing the plug wires to arch.
Just remember their are a million other things it could be too.
Since it is at the shop you are pretty much SOL now. I honestly dont even like them changing my tire or oil.
The best advise is do the work yourself if you have the time. The people in the tech section can walk you through just about ANY fix to the car.
10-03-2008, 02:58 AM
#27
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 82
LOL @ Cookie Monster..
Hey how about wrapping the LTs or even stock manifolds with heat tape instead of insulating the wires, if the metal around the wires is wrapped it'd make for less surface area for the wires to ground out against..?
Just my $.02 =)
Hey Roxy what's the part number on those cool looking plug wire insulators you've got?
Hey how about wrapping the LTs or even stock manifolds with heat tape instead of insulating the wires, if the metal around the wires is wrapped it'd make for less surface area for the wires to ground out against..?
Just my $.02 =)
Hey Roxy what's the part number on those cool looking plug wire insulators you've got?
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