Subaru: Spark Plug Wires

Hi jb!

On 29 Oct 2003 17:57:08 -0800, com (Jack) wrote:
 

I wouldn't worry about them unless you're having ignition-related
problems; loss of power at hi RPMs, poor performance on rainy days, hi
HC on emissions tests, etc. Modern plug wires (plugs too, FWIW)
usually last a long time, and the degradation of the wires insulation
is more of a time X temperature thing than mileage anyway. Don't know
if your OB has a distributor or not, but you'll probably go thru a
couple sets of cap/rotor on the same wires as long as you don't pull
an end off or something.
Two easy tests for bad wires:
Find a nice dark place and start the engine. Open the hood and look
for corona discharge (a blue "glow") around the coil, dist. cap, and
along the wires. If you see any at all, replace the component(s).
Or start the engine, and run your finger around the "towers" of the
coil and cap, and along the wires. If the insulation is good you
shouldn't feel anything. If you get "bit", replace the component(s).
This takes a bit of courage, but unless you grab an uninsulated wire
or something, any shock delivered thru a failing dielectric will be
fairly mild; more of a pinching sensation than anything. But you
_will_ feel it; prepare yourself so that you don't jump and wack your
head on the hood if it happens :-)
 

OEM or Bosch. Plan on spending a bit more for the good stuff; probably
$30 - $50 for a set. Whatever, don't waste your time with the $9.95
set from Bubbas Discount Auto Parts; this is one place where you
really _do_ get what you pay for.

ByeBye! S.

Steve Jernigan KG0MB
Laboratory Manager
Microelectronics Research
University of Colorado
(719) 262-3101

In article <com>,
S <uccs.edu> wrote:
 

Just got a set of Bosch for my '82 GL. Cost was around $25. Appear to be
well made.

--
Ed Fortmiller | us | Hudson MA
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Steve

The one other thing I use to do on my Mustang was check the resistance
(with an ohm meter) on the wires. If all the wires had basically the
same resistance, I would assume they were still OK.

Jack

S <uccs.edu> wrote in message news:<com>... 

Just changed mine (2K outback) at 80, 000 miles. But thats because I had
a bad wire. I used original parts when I did it. Plugs and wires.

Jack wrote:
 

I'm replacing the wires on my 92 Legacy and was online checking
prices for various brands. I also have a 98 Impreza. Both cars
are 2.2L non-turbo. Up to now both engines could pretty much take/
use the same parts. Plugs, hoses, belts, seals etc. When I found the
wires for the Legacy and cross checked them with the Impreza I
saw where the Impreza supposedly uses a different wire. Both are
silicone but the Legacy wires were $15-20 less then those listed for
my Impreza. This was on several different automotive websites.
So, my question is, Does it make any difference? 4 wires are 4
wires. The coil pack is the same and I even took one off the
Impreza and put it on the Legacy. It worked. So....Is there a
difference and why should I buy the more expensive wire and yes,
Legacy wire worked on the Impreza.