By Leon on Thursday, March 01, 2001 - 02:26 pm: Edit

I installed the 7mm Magnecor plug wires a couple of weeks ago on my 97 Disco and after a week of driving the wires popped out on two of the plugs, causing the engine to misfire. Took it in to the LR dealer who charged $320 to replace with stock wires and re-time the engine. (I am not handy around engines). Anyway, I repackaged the magnecor wires and returned it to them for a refund, explaining my experience. Steve Brown from Mag responded that he will not issue a refund because he believes my mechanic did not put in the wires tight enough. Of course my mech would say otherwise. I told him that whatever it was, my disco drove fine for about a week, then apparently the wires came loose, and this should not have happened. He still refuses to issue a refund. Beware.

By Ron on Thursday, March 01, 2001 - 02:32 pm: Edit

I think Magnecor is right (sorry). The design of LR plugs is such that you
have to squeeze the top of the plug wire to expell the air or the wire will
pop up. The high quality boots on the magnecors magnifies this problem, so
you have to be careful when you install them. In fact it happened to us to
(definately mechanics fault) on one of the wires. I was going to do them
myself but it was going in anyway for the T-box so I was like throw them
on. Should have know better and I ended up having to redo all the ones on
the top. No big deal and they stay now. Of course the check engine light
came on when the one popped off but it will go away after 3 temp cycles.
Leon, post the wires for sale on the classified board. You may lose 10 or so
on shipping but I am sure someone will buy them as they are a great
upgrade. I don't think not taking them back is reason for bad customer
service when they clearly work for everone else who has them, which from
what I can tell is probably a majority of enthusiast LR owners. I also don't
see why you needed the engine retimed because of the wires.

Best Regards
Ron

By Leon on Thursday, March 01, 2001 - 03:09 pm: Edit

Ron: LR dealer said they had to use a computer to retime the engine. That cost me a bit, otherwise I could have just purchased the stock wires and have them installed at much less cost. Thanks for your input, though. I just feel that as a matter of customer service policy, the Magenecor people can be somewhat forgiving in this issue and not outright refuse to take back a product. It's not like I used it for a year or so and then cry foul.
Leon

By Bill B on Thursday, March 01, 2001 - 03:30 pm: Edit

Beg to differ also - Magnecor CS treated me very well. I purchased 8mm wires and after receipt decided that I wanted the 8.5 KV wires instead. They not only agreed to take back the 8mm wires, but also to send out the 8.5's with no freight charges and it wasn't even their fault. I ended up keeping the 8mm's anyway, but still I thought they went above and beyond in service.

Bill B

By Ron on Thursday, March 01, 2001 - 03:44 pm: Edit

I think I would take issue with the dealers assumption unless it was not related to the wires. I thought the GEMS system on the 96 and later ones could not be timed. Now if they charged you 300 bucks to reset the check engine light, I would be P.O.ed. Knowledge is your best asset with your truck, especailly as discos are not cheap to run to begin with. If you have to take it to the dealer everytime, they get real expensive. Also, if you have a problem, post it here first, before you go buying something or spending any money on it. Odds are pretty good that someone will know the answer or have the best way to do it, as disco problems seem to be common to many vehicles so someone has probably dealt with it before and is usually very happy to answer a question or two.

Rgds.
Ron

By pjkbrit on Thursday, March 01, 2001 - 03:57 pm: Edit

Yep...the Magnacors are the way to go...and your LR dealer is an ass....I timed my Disco with a timing light...crude by todays standards...but my motor runs really well. They fed you s...and am sure they had a good laugh at your expense. Your lucky they didn't offer to take the Magnacors off your hands for nothing.
Remember guys, the dealers ARE the enemy!!!

"Work on your own motors"
Pete

By Bill Gill (Bluegill) on Thursday, March 01, 2001 - 04:10 pm: Edit

Have to agree with Ron and Pete - dealer swindled you out of $320 - they knew Magnecor wires were not seated properly and they just took you for a ride. I've been bilked out of more $ than I care to admit by my dealer, but what are you going to do? It'll cost you more than the original $320 to sue. The only thing you really can do is learn from your mistake and not repeat it.

I also have to agree with you, Leon, on Magnecor's customer service in this instance. They should be more understanding...with a little effort, they could even help you recoup your $320 from dealer and therefore keep the original sale to you alive, and have a happy customer.

What is the status of your 7mm's? I might want them. Please email me offline and maybe we can work something out.
-Blue

By Ron on Thursday, March 01, 2001 - 04:18 pm: Edit

See Leon, I told you someone would want the wires. ;-) Discoweb save money and headaches

Good Luck
Ron

By Frank on Thursday, March 01, 2001 - 04:32 pm: Edit

Speaking of magnecores, do they have to fit back into the little brackets the original wires were in? I just threw my brackets away after installing the magnecores, as they didn't fit in there.

By Ron on Thursday, March 01, 2001 - 05:01 pm: Edit

7mm will fit, 8mm is a tight squeeze and 8.5mm needs new looms (get new looms now!)

Ron

By Frank on Thursday, March 01, 2001 - 05:04 pm: Edit

Why? What's the big deal about the looms? They don't seem to do jack squat. What am I missing?

By TC on Thursday, March 01, 2001 - 05:10 pm: Edit

Bill,

If you don't mind, would you please tell me why do you want the 8.5 instead and what is the difference? Thanks.

By Ron on Thursday, March 01, 2001 - 05:18 pm: Edit

The looms keep the wires apart and in place. This does 2 things. First, they don't get caught on stuff that moves or come in contact with the exhaust manifold. and second it prevents crossfire where the signal from one wire sends a spark down another do to signal interference.

Ron

By Frank on Thursday, March 01, 2001 - 05:37 pm: Edit

Ron -

Thanks for the explanation. Does crossfire really occur that much because the wires are touching each other?

If so, where the hell do I go about getting new looms?

Thanks.

By Ron on Thursday, March 01, 2001 - 06:01 pm: Edit

I dunno if it does happen with the magnecors but better safe than sorry, right. Summit racing or any speed shop should have them. They are generally really cheap. You might want to ask Bill B as he has the 8.5mms and I think he posted that he got the looms from summit racing.

Ron

By Dadster on Thursday, March 01, 2001 - 06:49 pm: Edit

OK, Here comes what may seem to be a simple question. Is this just a "bigger is better" thing? Why 8.0 over 7.0? Why 8.5? I am ignorant of electrical issues. Thx.

By Bill Gill (Bluegill) on Thursday, March 01, 2001 - 07:15 pm: Edit

I emailed Magnecor asking about the 7mm & 8mm Electrosports vs. 8.5mm KV85 on my stock 1996 4.0 engine. The following is the response from Steve Brown at Magnecor:

The prices, including shipping, for the Land Rovers are at
http://www.magnecor.com/magnecor1/specialoffers/offers-rover.htm

The "Electrosports" (7mm or 8mm) will work fine for you, the KV85 8.5mm cable provides more
temperature protection and EMI suppression - but I doubt it will make any
difference.

By Leon on Friday, March 02, 2001 - 10:04 am: Edit

Just to say thanks to all you guys for your knowledgeable input on issues raised on this board. It is always a tremendous help to us collectively and I enjoy the exchange on this community. Ron you were right, I do have a prospective buyer!

By Bill B on Friday, March 02, 2001 - 10:19 am: Edit

I went with the 8.5 for a couple reasons - thicker/better/longer lasting silicone jacket in high-heat apps (off-roading with the truck running literally for 8-10 hours straight), probably upgrade to ignition amplifier as soon as budget permits, finally why not get the best. Loom thing is no big deal to me -Summit Racing has more loom options than you can shake a stick at and most work well and look good.