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Re: How long should a set of NGK BCP 5EV Plugs last? Posted by Ari [Email]  (#2847) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Ari) on Tue, 30 Jan 2001 08:40:36
In Reply to: How long should a set of NGK BCP 5EV Plugs last?, Peter McLaren, Mon, 29 Jan 2001 17:11:25 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
With good quality fuel and a tight engine, spark plugs should last 20-30K. I usually replace mine at 20-25K, even if they look great. You should at least check the gap at your 10-12K tune up. I also figure about 20-30K from a set of plug wires.
I'm not sure of the price of gas where you are, but I figure $7 minimum for plugs, about $10 for cap and rotor, and $15-20 for a minimally decent set of plug wires. Are you paying $32-$40 for a tank of gas? My recommendation would be to spend a little more on a good set of plug wires - not only will you replace them less often, they'll work better. You don't need the Super Duper $80 set guaranteed to double your gas mileage and cure baldness, but a good name brand set.
As to oil, don't go by color. Your engine could be running cold, and the oil will stay clear. Yes, some darkness in oil is due to combustion by-products blowing by the rings. But most oil color change is from heating. At normal engine temperatures, it's normal for oil to get darker. If you really want to know if you've got particles in your oil, let it sit in a clear jar for a couple of weeks, and see what filters out. But the oil out of my cars is usually pretty dark, but it's not from particles, but from heating cycles. A lot also depends on the brand of oil -some darken faster than others.
If your oil is staying clear, is your engine coming up to full temperature? I don't assume clear oil means a good engine. Burnt oil means problems, and particles and combustion byproducts in the oil mean problems, but clear oil can also mean problems. And a reasonably dark oil can still mean a well running engine.
If you already don't, I recommend flushing your cooling system every three years, and replacing the thermostat at the same time. Also, flush the brake fluid every two years. Replace tranny fluid every three, and the same with power steering fluid.
As to a Saab running fine at 140K, well heck, it's just broken in. Many folks have cars running well over 200K. In general, Saab engines are great. My 9000T at 140K still pulls like a steam train, and my 900T was going strong at 162K, with no engine maintenance except for fluids and plugs.
, Tue, 30 Jan 2001 08:40:36 <-- Viewing This Message
, Tue, 30 Jan 2001 12:23:46
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