| Author | Message | ||
| dave handa (Davehanda)
Intermediate Member Username: Davehanda Post Number: 2204 Registered: 5-2001 |
No, if I followed your troubles correctly, the new, replacement extenders are not failing, you are just having more of the original, old ones fail. Once you replace them all with new, you should be fine. If some of the replaced ones were new, and have again failed, then yes, you have other problems. | ||
| Augustine Staino (Azzuro328)
Member Username: Azzuro328 Post Number: 710 Registered: 4-2003 |
Okay, I'm about to go home and start the plug and extender replacement job. Before I do, I have one more question. I had the plug wires replaced in July with the major service I had done. I've had three extenders go bad since then. Is there any reason to think that the wires might be damaged or bad because of this? I'd hate to replace all of the plugs and extenders if the wires might be bad also. Thanks. | ||
| Julio Valladares (Jbanzai)
Junior Member Username: Jbanzai Post Number: 165 Registered: 2-2002 |
Hello Phill, all I read confirms what you say. I got the NGK becuase the reference I got plus it matched the tool that I already have. Regaring asking a plane/helicopter mechanic.. ahh... I live in Spain, you can certainly say that private/sport airports here are rare, almost more difficult to find one than a Ferrari on the road in Spain, and that is already difficult. But I got the idea... lol  Julio. | ||
| Phil Hughes (Ferrarifixer)
Member Username: Ferrarifixer Post Number: 257 Registered: 7-2003 |
Julio I've seen 40,000 miles with no problems from NGK **EVX plugs, so have confidence in your NGK,s. They won't let you down. Here's a tip...go to your local airport and ask a helicopter or fixed wing mechanic which brand is best...people die when engine's misfire or stop in a plane. | ||
| Phil Hughes (Ferrarifixer)
Member Username: Ferrarifixer Post Number: 256 Registered: 7-2003 |
Just a point of detail, but the 16mm hex is actually really 5/8", and a commonly available plug socket will be in any auto or m/cycle store. Get one with a built in swivel/universal joint if you can. I've seen many mechanics drop the plug down the hole before screwing it in, when using normal nut/bolt sockets with no plug gripper. This invariably closes the gap a bit or completely in some cases. | ||
| dave handa (Davehanda)
Intermediate Member Username: Davehanda Post Number: 2147 Registered: 5-2001 |
I am using the EVX plugs, the EIX is the newer, iridium plug, that is slowly superceding the EVX. Either is fine, but the EIX is supposed to be better/improved. Yes, replace all the extenders. I get frustrated with people that replace them one at a time, if one goes, invariably the rest are questionable, and more will fail in the coming weeks and months. I have been on the list long enough to have seen it mentioned...sometimes it may take a year for the next one, but why suffer the hassles, replace them all and be done with it! You'll be fine for another 15 years. :-) The distributor boot is (I believe) nothing more than to assist in keeping dust and moisture out of the distributor cap...nothing more. It is doubtful that it is contributing to the failure of your extenders. You extenders are failing due to age, heat and use...nothing more. They are a "consumable" part, like spark plugs and distributor caps and rotors. | ||
| Julio Valladares (Jbanzai)
Junior Member Username: Jbanzai Post Number: 160 Registered: 2-2002 |
I am like you man, I am pretty new to this. The NGK D8EVX have been recomended in several posts in this forum, and as I relized that Champion and Bosch changed the size of the hex, I decided to get the NGKs. But I can't tell you just yet if they are better, but I can tell you that they are more expensive. I just installed a set in my 328 a week ago and they seem to go pretty well so far. The Iridium ones should be better, but I could not find them here in Spain. - Julio. | ||
| Augustine J. Staino (Azzuro328)
Member Username: Azzuro328 Post Number: 676 Registered: 4-2003 |
Thanks to all for the responses. I will look into the plug situation. Julio, You mentioned the NGK D8EVX (platinum) and D8EIX (Iridium)plugs. Are these compatible with the 328 and, if so, would you recommend them? The plot thickens. Here is my next issue. I noticed that the rubber boot that covers the left hand distributor cap has a rather large crack in it. This leads me to some more questions: -Could this be contributing to my ever more frequent plug extender failures? -Is it possible that the crack has lead to further damage to the distributor cap itself and how could I check? -Considering what we know, what else should I look for? -Should I disconnect the battery before messing with these components? Thank you all in advance. -Augustine | ||
| Paul Jeffery (Peajay)
Junior Member Username: Peajay Post Number: 138 Registered: 4-2002 |
I just bought the same Champion plugs for my 328 and also noticed that the hex size is back to the more usual 16mm size instead of the od-ball 18mm size of the Champions already installed, so yes you are correct the specail wrench in the tool kit no longer fits. I am making one from an old socket and long bolt. It seems that the original Champion A6G plugs are no longer available. I haven't installed the new ones yet but I will compare the length of the threaded portion to ensure that it is the same length, this is VERY important !! I believe all plugs have the same thread diameter, just make sure that the length is the same and all should be OK. | ||
| Julio Valladares (Jbanzai)
Junior Member Username: Jbanzai Post Number: 158 Registered: 2-2002 |
Both Champion and Bosch have changed to 16mm. They do not seem to manufacture the plugs in 18mm anymore, although you can still find them in some places. NGK has the D8EVX (platinum) and D8EIX (Iridium)plugs and both still have the 18mm hex head. All of them are valid, but if you decide to go with Champion and Bosch you will have to get a new 16mm spark plug tool. However if the screw thread in the spark plug looks different don't use them or you will ruin the cover. I hope this clarifies your doubt. - Julio | ||
| Bruce Wellington (Bws88tr)
Advanced Member Username: Bws88tr Post Number: 3453 Registered: 4-2002 |
YOUR CRAZY | ||
| Augustine J. Staino (Azzuro328)
Member Username: Azzuro328 Post Number: 672 Registered: 4-2003 |
I hope that I am not posting something that has been covered too extensively but I didn't see anything in the archives. Another one of my spark plug extenders went bad last night. This is the second time in a little over a week. The car has been dry so I don't think it's a moisture problem but I am going to play it safe and replace all of the plugs and extenders in one shot. This is where my question is based. I ordered a few spark plugs for my car and it doesn't seem that they are the correct size. Both Sodacom's and the Champion websites list the Champion RA6HC as the correct plugs for the 328. I pulled a few of the plugs that are in my car now and they are a Bosch item (I forgot to write down the part number). When comparing the two plugs side by side I noticed that the diameter of the hex pattern on the Champion plugs was smaller that that of the Bosch plugs, and incidentally too small for my plug spanner from my tool kit. The spanner did work perfectly with the Bosch plugs. Also, if my eyes didn't deceive me, it looked like the diameter of the threads looked smaller on the Champion plugs than the Bosch plugs. I imagine that this also would make the Champion plugs not suitable for my car. Does this make sense to anyone or am I crazy? I want to replace all of the plugs in my car but I am at a loss as to why the ones that everyone recommends seem too small. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Puzzled in New Jersey |