c6miller

I bought my 2003 two years ago and changed all the fluids etc. It now has 30,000 miles, but the car is 11 years old so I was thinking maybe I should change the plugs or at least the wires since they may deteriorate over time from the heat. What would you do?

ljorges

I'm in the same situation and will be giving my baby new plugs/wires when I get back from Carlisle. Gonna visit GMPartswarehouse when I'm there to get the plugs and wires.

Les

frsr06

I just did mine at 80,000 miles - no issues identified with the original equipment. My experience would say that there is no need to replace earlier unless its for your own peace of mind - which is why i did it at 80K.

65GGvert

It would be too soon for me. I'm one of those "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" kind of guys. Too many times I've introduced more problems when there weren't any. You've got guys here who'll spend your time and money freely. If you'd feel better with new plugs and wires, nothing's stopping you.

Rick369

I have 50,300 on my 2001 Vert. I asked the same question to two different mechanic specialists that work on corvettes all the time. One is a certified world class GM trained technician that I know and the other is the owner of a corvette speciality shop. They both told me that it isn't necessary and I would be wasting my money. They both said to do it at 100,000 miles like the manual recommends.

CalF

I have heard that plugs left in too long are a bit tougher to loosen when removed.Maybe some PB Blaster.

thisMSGgood4me

Only 30K miles? Seriously? Unless you're experiencing issues that replacing the plugs and/or wires would solve, you'd be wasting your time and money doing it.

Fed Up

Not to play Devil's Advocate here, but my 2001 Vert has 53000 miles. I just changed the wires and plugs (GM red performance and NGKs). Here's what I found. The 13 year old wires were brittle and coming apart. The 13 year old plugs were not bad, but the electrodes were pretty worn down. Bi**ch of a job, BTW.


Oh- And the car runs noticeably better now- Less carbon on my tailpipes, better fuel econ and just peppier.


To each his own. And if it ain't broke, I totally agree.

thisMSGgood4me

Those are valid reasons to replace them. And you obviously got good results.

Vette_UK

I changed mine when I did the valve springs (precautionary measure on 02 Z06) at 40k miles.
3 out of the 8 leads broke trying to remove them and all 8 plugs had a gap far bigger than stock. I also believe plugs and wires were original.

I bought Bosch wires and have had nothing but problems with them too. High RPM misfires and ignition noise through the stereo that was not there before (nothing else was changed).
I have a set of GMPP red wires on the way to me now and hopefully that will solve the issues. YMMV.

Dave

UK

3boystoys

My brother has 200K on his Silverado with the ORIGINAL plugs, I keep warning him but it runs great. 30K is nothing

meflyfrc

Based on the mileage, I would say no. Based on the age, I would at least pull a couple wires and plugs and inspect them. Pull the wires closes to you headers. They would be the ones most likely brittle from heat.

I installed AR headers and decided to upgrade my wires because of the additional heat. As Fed Up mentioned, I had a couple brittle wires come apart. That was at about 45K on the car.

Corvette_Ed

I'd have to disagree with this. I replaced my original plug wires at 68k miles and they all but fell apart when I removed them. Mileage isn't the sole determining factor when it comes to plug wires.

NukeC5

I would change them. Spark plugs and wires are cheap and are easy to change. Wires get old and brittle and when I went to school for automotives, ideally, wires should be changed every two years.

Also, don't forget the gap change to .040" as a TSB. Putting in a new set with the right gap and new wires can brig back performance and better drivability/idle. NGKs are known to be the least misfireing plugs. Oem aren't very good. I've heard good about the Densos too.

3boystoys

If he trying to remove a wire, there is a HIGH likelihood he'll destroy it getting it off. Wires changed every 2 years, are you KIDDING?

NukeC5

Do some research before you make an *** of yourself like you do in every thread I see you post in. I have a degree from UTI where we learned and were tested on that. Overkill? Maybe. Kidding you? No Cheif.

3boystoys

I'd be surprised if 5% of the vehicles on the road get new wires every 5 years CHIEF and I have 2 degrees in Electrical Engineering. Some cars you have to take 1/2 the top of the engine to do plugs/wires, how many people you think would pop for that? Not many, especially if there were no misfires.

Here's somebody that claims their wires will outlive the engine:

7. How long will Magnecor Race Wires last ?

The conductors used in all Magnecor ignition cables will outlast the life of the engine unless deliberately severed. The life of ignition wire assemblies relies entirely on the ability of the owner and/or installer to install the wires correctly (particularly on engines designed to make it impossible to easily reach spark plugs), and the need to attach the wires to spark plugs and distributor/coils which are in good working order. The care taken when removing the wires at times when spark plugs are removed and replaced can also affect the life of spark plug wires.

On late model multi-valve engines with spark plugs situated in deep un-drained holes, the life of wire assemblies is limited to that of the extended spark plug connectors fitted to the spark plug wires used on these engines. In turn, the life of the spark plug connectors relies entirely on the ability of the vehicle owner to keep excess moisture and engine oil out of the holes so as not to damage the connectors.

The life of any ignition wire will be reduced if fitted too close to extreme heat sources which exceed the heat ratings of the wire assembly's insulating materials.

On most Chrysler 2.2 and 2.5 liter 4 cylinder engines where the original design of the distributor uses ignition wire terminals as internal arcing points, the life of the wires is limited to that of the terminals.

Specific problems which affect spark plug wire life on certain vehicles are discussed in our technical bulletins.


AND OUT OF MY VETTE"S OWNERS MANUAL, the 100K mile service:

100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
 Replace spark plugs.
An Emission Control Service.
 Inspect spark plug wires.
An Emission Control Service.

guido7834

I replaced the original plugs and wires on my 2002 two years ago at 65,000 miles. All I can say is I noticed a difference immediately. I would say do it.

65GGvert

Don't be mislead by nukec5. It's not as cheap or as easy as he makes it sound.

Slowmotion559

Plugs/wires and a new fuel filter where the first things I did when I got my '01 with 54,000 miles on it. To me it was cheap insurance on knowing at least those are new.