Word of warning - check your spark plug leads!

Discussion in 'Mech Tech' started by Stan, Nov 26, 2013.

  1. When the weather changes to a cold snap, materials change their behaviour? Plastics harden for example and metal can become brittle so any weakness is amplified during Winter.

    If you had a semi duff battery it will most likely fail this time of year.

    With this in mind, doing a quick check of the engine after a routine service, I was about to close the engine lid happy that it was purring when I heard a pop pop pop once in a while? Hmm 'whats that?'
    I watched as one of the ignition leads shook a bit and appeared to move in and out of the engine shroud a little? How odd?
    I turned the engine off pulled the lead out , it just fell into my hand!
    The end that fits on the spark plug, the internal metal fitting had cracked and sheared off so nothing was holding it onto the spark plug! oh poo I thought to myself!

    Fortunately I had a spare German set (Machine 7 ignition bundle set I keep in the van for emergencies) Removed it and replaced with the new one.

    Hmm better check the others - 2 more had the same only just holding on with a tiny wire clip! FFS So I changed all of them including the centre cap.

    These duff leads came with the van 3 years ago when I got it! From the outside they looked ok like new in fact but seeing how poorly made they were inside just surprised me of the junk that people are selling !

    So buyer beware, dont buy cheapo taiwanese or chinese junk buy the best you can afford! Try to look at it before you buy - I know its difficult buying online, but ask if the fittings are brass like these German ones not cheap metal!

    Here endeth the lesson.
     
    Lord Congi likes this.

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