How long do spark plugs last?
My manual says change every 18K or 12 months, but do they deteriorate with age (and not use)?
Where is the cheapest place to buy?
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How long do spark plugs last?
How long is a piece of string?
It varies from car manufacturer to car manufacturer, and spark plug manufacturer.
The spark plugs in my Vectra for instance are supposed to be changed every 40k or 4 yrs (I think - without confirming by looking in the manual again)
Might help if you tell us which car you're referring to, and what make of plugs are currently in it.
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A couple of months ago there was quite a large thread on types of plug,durability and suppliers.
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My point is: why do manufacturers specify a time limit on change; if the vehicle does a very low annual mileage, then surely the plugs will not wear to any great extent.
The car is a Rover 114 running on NGKs.
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personally i would chage them every 12000mls or every 12mths,my astra should last 40000mls but i don't think you will get them out of the head without stripping the treads! they cost £12.00 for twin electrode for the astra (vauxhall parts) you can see the difference once there in!!!
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I have taken the (original) platinum plugs out of low-mileage 10-year-old Japanese imports and they come out OK, despite having been last tightened at the factory in 1995. They usually seem to be NGK's. I must admit I get nervous, but they come out fine - so far..... I think problems arise following service when some 'bonus monkey' winds new plugs up to 70ftlbs torque!
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A tough question, however in my opinion the answer is not as long as some manufacturers service intervals specify them to last for. I changed our Focus plugs after 20,000 and 26 months. The service interval said they should stay in for 3 years or up to 37,000 miles. The ones that came out were pretty grotty looking on the outside with some corrosion etc, also the porcelain had got blackened at the point whre it met the plug base. This can't be a good sign surely.
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alsothe porcelain had got blackened at the point whre it met the plug base. This can't be a good sign surely.
You mean a 'corona ring'? That's fairly normal.
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I changed my Alfa TS plugs last month after 60,000 miles. The engine was still running as smoothly as ever and the plugs looked good for their age - minimal wear at electrode tips, good colour, mostly uncracked dielectric. They also came out very easily.
At 10 quid per plug (8 required) it is expensive, but I am not rich enough to buy cheap things.
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i ordered six iridium spark plugs the other evening at 16:00hrs and they were on my doormat at 08:30 the following morning. I ordered these from www.spark-plugs.co.uk. and a very good price, also with free delivery over ten pounds.
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Plugs via the post can arrive with a bent outer electrode due to the flimsy packaging and being dropped through the letterbox. The bent electrode and gap has to be re-set. Years ago plugs had a cardboard tube over the electrode end that would have protected against that.
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buzbee,....... bosch plugs and ngk plugs do come with cardboard tubes maybe you have been buying champion plugs?
--
\"a little man in a big world/\"
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If the engine and it's management system are both in good condition, spark plugs should last a very long time. There are some items, like oil change, that I halve the manufacturers recommendation but for spark plugs, I'd stick exactly to schedule.
Lengthened change intervals are normally accompanied with increased number of electrodes on the specified plugs. using a replacement plug with fewer electrodes is asking for trouble.
I personally just fit Bosch 4-way plugs, they seem to outlast the car!
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