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Spark plug wires slipping off

Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2015 7:29 am
by rjkoop
Sometimes I noticed the engine labouring somewhat. When I stop to check under the hood one of the spark plug wires has come off. They seem tight when I put them in. Do I just have to open/close them more to seat better? They look like newer wires so don't think they have to be replaced.

Re: Spark plug wires slipping off

Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2015 8:55 am
by TX82FIAT
Not sure what type of wires you have. The wire boot should fit snug on the plug. The metal piece inside the boot wire can be "slightly" pinched or closed more by using some needle nose pliers reduce and tighten the connection to the plug. Do all plug types and wire types appear to be the same?

Re: Spark plug wires slipping off

Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2015 9:26 am
by rjkoop
TX82FIAT wrote:Not sure what type of wires you have. The wire boot should fit snug on the plug. The metal piece inside the boot wire can be "slightly" pinched or closed more by using some needle nose pliers reduce and tighten the connection to the plug. Do all plug types and wire types appear to be the same?
The wires are all the same and similar condition. I'll try to pinch them a little more.

Re: Spark plug wires slipping off

Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2015 10:45 am
by azruss
sometimes the boot is so tight the metal clip isn't all the way on the end of the plug.

Re: Spark plug wires slipping off

Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2015 12:42 pm
by KevAndAndi
azruss wrote:sometimes the boot is so tight the metal clip isn't all the way on the end of the plug.
If that is the problem, maybe some dielectric grease (on the rubber boot, not the metal clip) would help the boot slide all the way. Also helps removal by keeping the boot from getting fused and stuck on the plug (though you seem to have the opposite problem). Definitely sounds like the metal clip is loose and needs to be re-pinched.

Re: Spark plug wires slipping off

Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2015 7:35 am
by rjkoop
I pulled off the plugs, slide back the boot, crimped the connector a bit, put the connector back on tight on the distributor and then slide the boot back down. That seemed to be much better than just pushing the wire with the boot already slide down.