| Author | Message | ||
     Greg French (Gregfrench) Senior Member Username: Gregfrench Post Number: 384 Registered: 11-2002 |
My engine was misfiring like crazy, so I put on a set of Magnecor wires and they seemed to fix the problem. They have been on for about 3 months, and it is missing again. I replaced the plugs, but it didn't fix it. I talked to the guy at Magnecor, and he said it was probably the dielectric grease I used blocking the spark. I thought the grease was designed to improve the spark, but he said it was non-conductive. Does this sound like a viable cause? If so, what would be the best way to clean it out? | ||
| M. K. Watson (Lrover94) Senior Member Username: Lrover94 Post Number: 793 Registered: 02-2002 |
i can't see how the di-electric grease would be an issue 3 mos after installing the plugs wires. mike w | ||
| Chad Mayes (Cmayes) New Member Username: Cmayes Post Number: 39 Registered: 04-2003 |
I was advised to use di-electric grease to help improve connections. This was by my Rover mechanic who has always been very reliable. I installed new plug wires a couple of weeks ago using di-electric grease and I haven't had any problems. I didn't use Magnecors though... | ||
| Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) Senior Member Username: Leslie Post Number: 2199 Registered: 02-2002 |
The purpose of the grease is to seal up the gaps between the rubber boot of the plug-wire and the spark-plug's ceramic body. You fill in the grooves near the base of the spark-plug with the stuff, maybe around the mouth of the boot, and carefully slide the boot on. You don't want any of it up inside the boot, on the end of the spark-plug near the tip, etc., only around the bottom. The idea is to create a moisture barrier; you aren't trying to fill in the area where the clamp inside the boot is touching the tip of the spark-plug. Metal-to-metal contact there is best. -L | ||
| Greg French (Gregfrench) Senior Member Username: Gregfrench Post Number: 385 Registered: 11-2002 |
So is it non-conductive or what? I see how it could affect it if it were. They should say that on the tube. It is a little misleading. As for cleaning, I was thinking of using a small brush or something and some WD-40. Any reason not to? | ||
| Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) Senior Member Username: Leslie Post Number: 2201 Registered: 02-2002 |
Correct, it is non-conductive. I *think* this may be a case where WD-40 might be the best stuff, instead of a close-enough the way it normally is.... I would probably use a twirled paper towel to get most of it out, then use a box of q-tips to get out as much of the rest as you can. Also, see http://www.magnecor.com/magnecor1/frequent.htm where I noticed this: The over-use of silicone dielectric grease placed inside extended multi-part plastic spark plug connectors can cause them to pop off spark plugs. All too often (particularly on engines notorious for moisture accumulation in spark plug holes) we see so much grease stuffed into the connectors that virtually no room is left for the spark plug tops. Only a film of grease should to be applied at the mouth of the connectors' bottom seals to help prevent moisture seepage. Unfortunately, the heat from the spark plug porcelain will eventually cause the grease to run out of the seals, so it needs to be applied on a regular basis it your vehicle is driven in the rain for long periods of time or you live in an area (such as near the sea) where condensation accumulates all over the engine without it raining. It is important that only silicone dielectric grease is used for this purpose, as other greases can become conductive. FWIW.... -L | ||
| Greg French (Gregfrench) Senior Member Username: Gregfrench Post Number: 387 Registered: 11-2002 |
NIce. Sounds like an easy fix. I'll give her a go! | ||
| Peter J. Kelly (Pjkbrit) New Member Username: Pjkbrit Post Number: 11 Registered: 05-2003 |
What? Dielectric grease IS conductive...it's meant to improve and waterproff electical connections!!!! And I cannot believe the breakdown of spark is occuring here...what year is the car? Distributor or not? If so, double check that crappy little ignition amplifier that is strapped to the side of the distrib. | ||
| Paul T. Schram (Paulschram) Senior Member Username: Paulschram Post Number: 1530 Registered: 02-2002 |
Dielectric indicates that it does not conduct. There are other silicone greases that are intended to be electrically conductive, but are more commonly used for heat transfer as well from electronic components where there must be a means to dissipate heat and also maintain a robust electrical connection. Peace, Paul | ||
| Mike McUne (Mikem) New Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 17 Registered: 02-2003 |
dielectric n : a material such as glass or porcelain with negligible electrical or thermal conductivity [syn: insulator, nonconductor] [ant: conductor] | ||
| Kirk Thibault (Kirkt) Member Username: Kirkt Post Number: 78 Registered: 11-2002 |
Another problem with putting dielectric grease in the spark plug connection is that people may tend to use too much - it is apparently meant for a thin smear on the connection, not packing the terminal to capacity. Upon heating, the grease may expand and cause the connection to suffer, sometimes actually popping the connector off of the plug. Less is more. |
