Spark plug wires
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 181
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From: Petaluma, Ca.
Spark plug wires
I have a '97 shorty with a 3.0 and have replaced the spark plugs with correct Motorcrafts from the dealer. However I didn't replace the wires. The van has 80,000 on it. The wires were easy to pull off the plugs and seemed fine.
Are the wires OK for a while? Or should I get on it and change them?
The van runs great, just returned from a 2600 mile trip and it ran very smoothly.
Thanks, Beaned
Are the wires OK for a while? Or should I get on it and change them?
The van runs great, just returned from a 2600 mile trip and it ran very smoothly.
Thanks, Beaned
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 882
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From: Wichita
There's a process of mixing a mild salt water solution in a spray bottle and looking for arcing that you could try. Just wet the wires down and view under dim conditions.
Are you having any symptoms like a miss under loads? That was my first indicator on my TurboCoupe.
Are you having any symptoms like a miss under loads? That was my first indicator on my TurboCoupe.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
your '97 is EEC-V OBDII with continuous misfire monitoring.....it will set the CEL if there is misfires that you don't notice.
if the old wires looked fine with no cracking and boot breakdown
don't fix what is working correctly
if the old wires looked fine with no cracking and boot breakdown
don't fix what is working correctly
Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,901
Likes: 2
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
Replacing the wires would be ideal, but I agree, with 96_4wdr that if you had any misfires, there would be a code for it. The only trick to that is, that the code will only be set if the computer detects two misfires in a row. However, you would likely detect that situation as poor fuel economy. I would leave those wires there till you have a problem, or you just cant stand it anymore, whichever happens first. I would get a wire set and keep them on hand. Check out www.rockauto.com for one of the best prices I have seen on Motorcraft wire sets.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 181
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From: Petaluma, Ca.
Spark plug wires
Thanks for the replys.
I averaged 22-25 mph on the trip including using the air conditioning about half time.
The Aero always got decent gas miliage. But I will check it now and then.
Great forum, much knowledge among you guys.
Beaned
I averaged 22-25 mph on the trip including using the air conditioning about half time.
The Aero always got decent gas miliage. But I will check it now and then.
Great forum, much knowledge among you guys.
Beaned
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento
Plug wires
I replaced my original wires at 160Kmiles, along with 2nd set of plugs on '96 4.0. No change in mpg or performance afterwards, but it was acceptable beforehand. I'd say your wires are good for a while yet.
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