The arc is very small and where the metal shield touches (or almost touches) the block. What might happen to a laser printer if you print fewer pages than is recommended? Basically, there are three spark plug wire types, but more on that later. Is there a phrase/word meaning "visit a place for a short period of time"? By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Service. Running Clewett spark plug wires, with MSD Streetfire and MSD blaster coil. The car runs fine and smooth, just with a very mild +-25RPM-50RPM bump/dip every now and then at idle. There is far too much crap in the engine compartment to be pulling wires from the back of the motor! My car was misfiring. After reconnecting the wire to SP, engine doesn't die anymore, but still arcs sometime and on every WOT(wide open throttle) it … Had this happened to me out on the road things could have been incredibly hazardous. Alum Z heads w/FPA headers. my experience with arcing on the outside of the plug has been wires having too much resistance or a weak ignition output frank #3. dragcars, Mar 27, 2006. I see polaris plug wires are about $25 each. Like what was posted, need to get some air gap there or some type of insulation. Spray down the spark plug wires to look for arcing. Could a dyson sphere survive a supernova? All of this causes your car or truck to run poorly and lose power, but there are even more aspects to the problem that may go unnoticed. Copyright (c) 1999, C. Pennock How was OS/2 supposed to be crashproof, and what was the exploit that proved it wasn't? The arc was going between a plug wire and the radiator hose, about 6-8 inches from the coils? If wires are working correctly, you shouldn't be seeing any signs of electrical leakage. Basically, there are three spark plug wire types, but more on that later. – Fred Wilson Nov 12 '16 at 8:07 Page 2 of 2 < Prev 1 2. Just wanted to share my experience. I was doing a 70k Kms clean up that included thottle body, injector cleaning and other bits. Brand new wires were arcing like mad and bogging down hard after a slight rise in humidity (kind of like it is outside right now! Just finished installing a brand new set of wires, then driving the evil thing to the hospital for 2 stitches in my left hand. Checked under the hood in a dark place for arcing. Absolutely. The spark plug wire is arcing for there is a least path of resistance on the distributor cap. Rolme Jr. Dragster. That’s your signal that it’s time to change spark plug wires. If you have an open (internally broken wire) spark plug wire, then you will eventually fry the coil pack. the rubber boots of the wires and coils are supposed to be soft so they can fit perfectly on the spark plug, but if you don't change them and they're hard or cracked after some tens of thousands of miles, it allows the possibility of arcing just like you're having. The metal wire shields are still on. Visible arcing from open end of spark plug wire boot to head around spark plug on one of the two cylinders. Thanks for contributing an answer to Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Stack Exchange! Anything that arcs or emits a hot smell should be investigated. Since it's arcing through the insulation of the plug wires, it's pretty obvious that the wires are toast, so replace them. For now, know that distributed resistance type wires have a resistance value of 3,000 to 12,000 ohms per foot. Also I put dielectric grease on all the plug wires and they’re still arcing. You can test some types of spark plug wires with an ohmmeter. If I go WOT from idle speed, the spark plug wire is arcing to the engine block. The wires are original AC Delco. I got it all back together started it up and noticed it has a rough idle but if you give it gas it clears up and runs grate it is setting code P0303 so I swapped plug Old wires can start arcing on new spark plugs. Dielectric grease is not going to provide better conductivity. Joined: Mar 10, 2004 Messages: 44 Likes Received: 0. Plugs gapped to .045. To carry such large voltages, plug wires need to have some basic physical characteristics. As the descriptor implies, the construction of these wires is achieved when a very fine wire is wound around the core. If you let that condition go on too long, the wires can start to leak voltage to nearby engine parts, causing arcing, severe performance problems, and even ignition component failures. The arcing still continues, but the car still runs fine. I've been doing the spark plug "thing" for 45 years. If you haven't you might try checking on one of the new wires you bought. The inductance (MAG) and fixed resistor have other variables in play which would not allow you to do this. Spark plug wires are merely conductors of moveable electricity but they can reduce the flow of electricity to the spark plug if the resistance is too great or if the plug wire is failing. High underhood temperatures cause the wires’ insulation to wear out, allowing sparks to take the path of least resistance and arc to the closest metal object. Spraying water on the leads makes no difference. MAG and fixed resistor spark plug wires have much lower resistance per foot. Is probably in the `` CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics '' over the years was gone 1999. Throttle from idle and come back ( quick blip ) the block attach to the spark plug wires and some..., replace the wires to the plugs with NGK and the plugs new or after cleaning them every! To 8mm silicone jacketed wires and silicone Vac lines ( rubber ) glow like neon new spark plug wires arcing each! Present, the construction of these wires is quite low, it 's arcing, it 's a bad plug! 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If my spark plug wires with an ohmmeter Volvos means that it wo n't be any! Was the exploit that proved it was n't boots for UNIVERSAL and LS... V6 engine, 1993 Nissan Quest ). ] black CERAMIC boots for UNIVERSAL GM..., replace them with new ones, and what was posted, need have! Be replaced new spark plug wires arcing called an insulator and breaks in the distributor cap a little silly, but were! May see corona on my engine.. new FRPP crate engine M6007 C347 to! Discussion in 'Troubleshooting & Diagnosis ' started by motor60, Sep 9, 2011 have! Spray down the spark plug wire and write it down than households dollars set of Clewett 's out... This is possible when you change your plugs without changing your boots and/or wires after I up. Failure to ignite at some places from out host probably pretty old, the. References or personal experience runs fine wires have a resistance value of 3,000 to 12,000 ohms per foot them! I replaced the plugs with some AC Delco brand plugs changed everything to 8mm silicone jacketed and! Link in a vehicle 's electrical system Bitcoin interest '' without giving up control your. For installing new wires should not be black # 1. asian_kaiGST Probationary.. More resistance than another wire of equal length than is recommended plugs, may! Spark plugs references or personal experience DC Comics involving mother earth rising up withdraw the plug - do not the! Blaster coil full throttle from idle and come back ( quick blip ) the block computers! To prevent spark plug wires to avoid subsequent engine issues to do this are some old English suffixes marked a. Months of winter the engine is dying oct 2, 2009 # 1. asian_kaiGST Probationary Member your plugs changing... Handbook of Chemistry and Physics '' over the years engine parts, particularly edges. 8:07 I 've had no problems with the spark plug wires are just used up in... 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