PLugs....

[rubberman]

I did an oil change and while i was right there, i decided to pull a spark plug to see how it looked. I have a `99 Montana with 73K miles. There wasnt any carbon build up but did have some white tint to it. I cant remember, is that normal? If not what does a white tint on the electrode mean? also what AC Delcos are recommended for replacement? thanks

[1999montana]

The white ash is a by-product of combustion and is generally believed to be the result of additives in the fuel.

I'm not sure what the chemicals are, but it is normal to my knowledge. In the old days we would have attributed this to ethyl lead in the gas.

I would expect some black ash at that mileage due to valve guides that start wearing and allow oil to enter the cylinders, but perhaps that would be premature.

Maybe someone else has another opinion.

[rubberman]

thinking about doing a plug change but afraid of the 'back 3'. I read about undoing the front braces and tilting the engine forward enoughto reach the back 3. Also the AC Delco plugs costs $5 each. dang i didnt know they cost that much. Actually the AC delco rapidfires are cheaper than the other ACdelcos.

[eleveniron]

Originally Posted by rubberman

thinking about doing a plug change but afraid of the 'back 3'. I read about undoing the front braces and tilting the engine forward enoughto reach the back 3. Also the AC Delco plugs costs $5 each. dang i didnt know they cost that much. Actually the AC delco rapidfires are cheaper than the other ACdelcos.

Remove the front engine struts, put the transmission in neutral, and use a ratchet strap to rotate the engine forward. It still helps to have arms like gumby to get in there, but it is easier than doing it as it normally sits. Unless your a masochist and like doing this, spend the $$$ and use good platinum plugs.

Steve

[rubberman]

Which arrow are you un-doing totilt the engine forward?\

[eleveniron]

Originally Posted by rubberman

Which arrow are you un-doing totilt the engine forward?\

It doesn't matter. Take either bolt out and swivel the strut out of the way. Repeat for the other strut too.

Steve

[rubberman]

anything wrong with a Bosch Plat plug? or should i stick with ac delco

['97ventureowner]

Stick with the AC Delco plugs. Other aftermarket plugs can cause problems, such as rough idling, missing and cold start problems, and you really don't want to have to do the job over again, do you? I have AC in all of my vehicles and when I sold them, I had a lot of customers come back that had bought other plugs, especially Bosch, and when they reinstalled the AC Delcos their problems went away and they were satisfied.

[rubberman]

probably go with the AC rapidfires since they are cheaper than the reg.AC Delco's at Autozone/Advanced Auto

[1999montana]

Originally Posted by '97ventureowner

Stick with the AC Delco plugs. Other aftermarket plugs can cause problems, such as rough idling, missing and cold start problems, and you really don't want to have to do the job over again, do you? I have AC in all of my vehicles and when I sold them, I had a lot of customers come back that had bought other plugs, especially Bosch, and when they reinstalled the AC Delcos their problems went away and they were satisfied.

I have to agree with your observations on the use of AC plugs.

I worked in a GM dealership in Edmonton and we often had folks come in with the same issues you mention. Many had installed aftermarket plugs (ie.: Champion) All the driveability issues you mentioned went away when the plugs were replaced with AC Delco.

Mind you, my '78 Dodge requires Champions. I ran my Ford's on Bosch briefly, but had all of the problems you mentioned. Autolite plugs seemed to fit the bill with the Fords.

This caused me to consider that Champion (among others) has been around forever.

Does it make sense that the largest manufacturer of replacement spark plugs in the world would make a plug that would NOT perform well in a GM car (or any other brand of vehicle either)?

It seems so!

I wonder why?

[rubberman]

for some reason the regular Delco plugs cost $8 each at the autozone in the town i work but cost only $5.99 in the town that i live in. Why would it cost $2 more per plug? doesnt make sense.

[MagnaPilot]

I just did a plug change on my Venture the other day... just so you know. There is another way to reach the back plugs. I removed the front passenger wheel/tire, and accessed them through the side wall. There isn't a whole lot of room, but if you take your time, it's not all that hard. You just have to sit in the wheel well and use your left arm to do the work. Make sure you have a socket with a rubber grommet in it to hold the plugs. But I come from working underneath Z28's for hours doing plug changes, so I may have a different perspective of hard. For the first time though, it took me about an hour to do the back 3, to include changing the wires.

[cdru]

Easiest way I've found is to do it when you are getting the intake gasket. Presuming that you don't need to do it yet, I've always just rolled the engine forward removed the coil pack. There are two screws in the front and two nuts on posts for the rear. Taking that out (move the wiper linkage out of the way), you have a fairly straight shot down to the plugs. Rolling the engine is fairly simple. The rear nuts on the ignition module are a slight pain to get to. (Hint: "forget" to put them back on. The ignition module isn't going anywhere and is held quite firmly in place with the two front bolts...just makes getting back their next time easier.)

I'd never consider dropping the subframe like some places suggest. To much work and the bolt MUST be replaced and can't be reused.

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by rubberman

for some reason the regular Delco plugs cost $8 each at the autozone in the town i work but cost only $5.99 in the town that i live in. Why would it cost $2 more per plug? doesnt make sense.

That does sound strange. Maybe the town you work in has a higher per capita income level so they think they can justify charging a higher price there. <--business practice

[shogunl]

Got mine at Canadian tire NGK Platiniums at $8.99 for 2 pack.