Spark Plugs

[haux]

Part one. How long do spark plugs normally last? I believe I changed mine about 30-35,000 miles ago. And a couple of days ago one or more cylinders began misfiring. Could recent overheating issues have given them a shorter lifespan?

Part two. So, I was 100 miles away from home when a spark plug shat itself. I got to an Advance Auto Parts at 9:30pm and it was closed. Got directions to a Wal-Mart, where I attempted to replace the plugs, and where the spark plug wires began tearing apart as I pulled them out. I managed to fish the stuck rubber pieces out, and get three of them replaced... with the three wires in somewhat working condition. With one of the wires, however, the metal thing clamped onto the wire itself got pulled out and stuck onto the spark plug. I didn't have extra long pliers, and Wal-Mart was out of them. I reconnected that as best I could and drove home on three cylinders. When I got back, I noticed the trunk was extremely hot. I pulled up the carpet and over the area where the muffler is, there was a rubbery layer that had melted. The question is, why did the muffer get so damn hot? I noticed that I burned about 100% more fuel than I normally would that distance. Did that have something to do with it?

Oh, and I now know that you can actually grease up the spark plug wire connections. That information would have been helpful the last time I replaced them.

[flyeri]

The raw fuel was not being bunred in that 4th cylinder and was being burned in the exhaust system. Thus the muffler got very hot.

Plugs will run from 30k ot 100k miles, depends on type of plug and the vehicle. What does your manual call for for repalacement?

I like replacing the wires when I replace the plugs especially on these types that reach down into the heat of the engine. Obviously you need all new ones but if the plugs required changing at 30-35k I would replace the wires every other plug change. If they required changing at 50k miles or more I would change each time.

Advance Auto has some small "ketchup" type packs of grease for wires.

[Hajoca]

The material name/part # of spark plugs you had will determine their life span. So if you bought copper (standard) plugs, then 30 000 miles is very good!

platinum/double platinum that came in the gen 3/4 engines are expected to last about 90 000 miles.

[haux]

I haven't checked the manual yet, but I believe the last time I replaced them, I bought the recommended ones straight from the dealership. And I know they had double electrodes.

I replaced the wires first thing in the morning following the incident. And the lady at Auto Zone offered the grease, which I had no idea could even be used. So I'm glad she did. I bought the more expensive Bosch wires that looked slightly better quality than the Duralast.

The fuel thing makes total sense. Thank you for the information.

[BMR]

I had a similar experience with Autozone's Duralast plug wires on my Camry. The first set lasted about 8k miles before they started "leaking" spark out the spark plug boots. You could see burn marks on them where the spark was jumping thru and going into the cylinder head. They had a lifetime warranty so I got another set for free that lasted just a bit longer. I threw those in the trash and put in a set of Autolites about 80k miles ago.

[uibalnme]

I don't use anything but NGK plugs and wires. I've never had any problems using NGK.