D2 - how long do leads and plugs last

ozscott

Well-known member
My vehicle has done about 65000 miles. I am told by my mechanic (ex dealer) that I trust that I need new leads and plugs - aftermarket is about 1/4 of rover leads. This is the second time. They were both replaced at 38,000 miles....I would have thought that they should last longer than about 30 somthing thou each time.... I do some towing of a 2 tonn boat but not a lot. It gets lots of short runs unfortunately. Its hot where I live - underbonnet temps get up there. Before the first change I ran only Shell Optimax premium and since the first plug and lead change I ran LPG most of the time (ie liquid petrolium gas)...so it seems that they die at about the same time even with vastly different fuels!

It seems that it also has an air leak post the new MAF that I put in...a rat got into it and had a chew and now its got problems at idle on a tiny throttle application. I am getting a new air intake tube.

Cheers
 

pdogg

Well-known member
Jul 18, 2005
1,216
29
Phoenix, AZ
36k miles on mine and the wires were dried out and cracking.. My indy guy said the proximity to the exhaust manifolds exposes them to high heat all the time... and the secondary air also...

I spent $600 on new LR wires and the labor to put them in... car runs like a top now...

the leads alone were $28 each.. ouch... I was thinking about Magnacore's, but I was sitting in his shop without them.... just bit the bullet anyways..

I would have put them on myself, if it weren't for the location of the coil packs and my huge mittens..
 

ozscott

Well-known member
Thanks fellas. Yeah, agree about location of coil packs and the problem of getting up there!

I am going aftermarket leads and original spec plugs. I guess that I just have to expect plugs and leads about every 30,000 - 35,000 miles due to underbonnet heat.

Cheers all.
 

hywy61

Well-known member
May 25, 2004
725
0
atlanta, ga
my plugs and wires were changed @45K - now @ 97K ....still running strong. Personally, i think 35K is way too early for wires. Plugs...depends on what kind i guess.
 

ml4x4

Well-known member
Feb 11, 2007
87
0
Newnan, GA
New plugs and Wires at 80K and the truck runs like new.
As mentioned before the location of the manifolds expose the wires to imense heat and causes premature drying/cracking.

I bought the 03 with 43K on it, so I don't know if it was ever done before, but I'd imagine so...

Overall sounds reasonable. I paid an LR independant to put new stuff in all around for 600. I was not willing to take the manifold off and everything else to get new wires installed myself.


Good luck!
 
B

bazzle

Guest
Firing LPG puts a lot of stress on the HT components ie, need to be in tip top shape.
Normally a few thou less on plugs, 8mm HT leads, die-electric grease on connections, spotlessly clean cap and rotor button with no arcing wear.
Also where leads touch loosen them so no tension.
This is one reason other than under bonnet degredation to check/change parts out.
Bazzle
 

GDA

Well-known member
Jan 13, 2007
86
0
Dallas, Tx
44k on my 03 DII and a couple wires were dead.

I went with Kingsborne and the 8mm's are nice for the $$$.
 

JSQ

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2004
3,259
1
44
San Diego, CA
I really don't expect much of any plug wires past 30K.

It's just not worth it to run shitty old wires.
On a GEMS engine it's a no brainer to change them all the time, but even on a Motronic Bosch motor you're really only paying a premium in time.

I like Magnecor's or the Bosch aftermarket wires. There are a number of good ones. Just change them frequently. It's worth it for the fuel economy and power alone.