Spark plug wire help!!

[Special K]

I just changed my plugs and now the wire boots will not seat all the way down on the plugs! The #6 boot fits fine but the rest of the wires will not go back on. When I look into the boot there is a small wire clip that I assume keeps the wire secured to the plug but it is keeping the wire from being seated. Please help! I've been trying to get these wires on for two days! I have tried to push the wire to one side, bend it out of the way, and nothing works. What really gets me is that the wire that does go on looks the same as the others! I have even tried to put the wires on the old plugs and they still don't go on!

[hurttech]

Make sure you unscrew the little caps on the end of the spark plugs. The wires aren't made to use those.

[Sagaris]

OP, I know exactly what you are talking about. I ordered some new wires from Turner and went to press them on the plug. They were WAY too loose. I called Turner and asked them if they had any complaints about the wires being too loose and he thought I was retarded and hadn't removed the top threaded nut-thing on the spark plugs. If I had a 150 year old, frail grandma , I have no doubt that she would be disappointed in how easy it is to pull the wires off the plug.

I have just dealt with it, I have never had a misfire or running issue even though they still feel loose. I will push them down whenever I have the hood popped for good measure. I do believe they will not last as long since moisture is getting in there when they are not seated all the way. I can already see oxidation on the inside contacts.

As much as I would like new wires, These ones work fine and I would hate to shell out another 150 for a set that doesnt fit any better.

[Special K]

The caps are not on, I went to the parts store 3 times because they gave me plugs with out screw off caps! The manager cut me a deal the last time I was in because they gave me the wrong ones...but back to the wire problem. It doesnt seem right that the plugs should be this loose, especially since I have one wire that will seat all the way down on the plug. When I put the good one on I can feel the little spring clip inside the boot rubbing on the threads of the spark plug and it gives it a secure feeling so I know that it is seated properly, it pulls off harder too. I was thinking of drilling the little clip out of the boot and that way it would at least be seated all the way. Im just worried that if the boots dont make good contact on the plug I could end up with a missfire or worse....

[E30Gus]

Check the depth of the connector inside the rubber boot compared to #6 that seems ok. Maybe when they made the wires they put the connectors in too far causing the boot to bottom out before the plug makes contact with the connector.

[Special K]

Thanks for the idea but its not the rubber boot that is bottoming out, its the metal wire clip on the inside of the connector that is stopping it from being seated all the way. I can push HARD and it doesnt give at all.

[jlevie]

My thought would be that you have an improperly made set of wires and I'd just get a set of OE wires from a dealer.

[nando]

Agreed, my experience is most aftermarket "upgrade" wires for the M20 are junk. Get OE or OE equivalent - I have a friend who has a set of Bremi wires for his Pro3 car, they're pretty nice and cheap too.

if you want upgraded wires, build your own - I want to make a set that uses the normal connectors for the spark plugs so I don't have to remove the caps. I hate the way the stock wires fit.

[Special K]

Thanks for the help! I was thinking that I would end up having to buy some wires, it doesnt make any sense that after they came off they wouldnt go back on, even on the old plugs...ohh well...Does anyone have a brand that are happy with and are reasonably priced and/or where I would get them?

[nando]

read my post ;)

[E30Gus]

Agree with Nando. After a couple spark plug changes my Bavauto wires started pulling out of the boot (not because I was pulling it wrong either). when I looked at it closer the wire just pushes into the boot and there is a metal barb connector that crams into the middle of the wire for a connection. There is no crimping involved at all. On the other hand I was inspecting the OE wires (bremi I think) and they are pretty tough. Had many years of use and they are in better shape then the "performance" wires.

[Special K]

I took a drill bit the same size as the top of the spark plug and drilled the spring clip out of the boot. It is still loose, but an improvement. I will end up getting some new wires probably after my rebuild :) It works for now but at least the boot is full seated on the plug.