Beru plug wires busted off

[Jameel]

My 911 was running pretty crappy a few weeks ago. My mechanic friend told me to check the plugs. I didn't get that far because these Beru plug wires just broke off on the plugs. Three of them just cracked right off! These were new 30,000 miles ago.

Before I order more, anyone care to chime in on this? Should I get Beru again? Bad batch maybe? Thoughts?

[High Life]

Hello Jameel!

Took my 911SC out a couple of weeks ago also - Gotta love the Iowa Weather..

I hear Clewett are a good set to buy..

I had been doing some research on wires ...

Beru plug wire fail.

[David Inc.]

The modern Berus are hot dog crap. Mine failed in even less miles that that, though they had I think 5 or 6 years on them.

The Clewett ones feel substantially heftier and have good reports on quality. They're a thicker insulation so you'll need to modify the retaining clips somewhat but it's worth it.

[Jameel]

Originally Posted by High Life

Hello Jameel!

Took my 911SC out a couple of weeks ago also - Gotta love the Iowa Weather..

I hear Clewett are a good set to buy..

I had been doing some research on wires ...

Beru plug wire fail.

Thanks for the feedback. I'll check out the Clewetts.

Originally Posted by David Inc.

The modern Berus are hot dog crap. Mine failed in even less miles that that, though they had I think 5 or 6 years on them.

The Clewett ones feel substantially heftier and have good reports on quality. They're a thicker insulation so you'll need to modify the retaining clips somewhat but it's worth it.

Oh good to hear. I'll check them out. Do you have any further details on the modification? Would love to know more.

[Jameel]

Also, anyone know why the Clewett wires don't have the ground strap lead like the Beru wires?

[Tommy Z]

Are the Clewetts braided steel as well? I've been told that the wires have to be braided or some electronic pulse will be picked up by your radio or something.

[David Inc.]

Originally Posted by Jameel

Oh good to hear. I'll check them out. Do you have any further details on the modification? Would love to know more.

Here was my thread on dealing with them. I ended up taking the stock SC plug holders, slitting them so that they could hold the larger wires, then zip tying them in. It's not a perfect aesthetic but it works.

https://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/1058696-spark-plug-wire-holders.html

There are other holders you can buy and install, but my way worked with the stock rubber (though it was a bit of a pain to make them stay in).

Originally Posted by Jameel

Also, anyone know why the Clewett wires don't have the ground strap lead like the Beru wires?

I remember looking into this and, while I don't remember the details, it came down to the ground strap not being necessary. Maybe something about gas vapors in the engine bay meeting spark from a non-grounded wire? Don't quite recall but I know it was fine without and the original ones had the straps for a belt-and-suspenders approach.

[Reiver]

Porsche thought, initially, the exploding airbox was related to the wires cross firing. It wasn't but some still buy them (grounded/wire encased) because they always have. They are not necessary for any mechanical reason.

I've used Clewett for some time and they are modern spiral wound wires that will also work with any modern box/MSD etc.

[Jonny042]

+1 for Beru being total junk.

+1 for ground braiding is a waste (have you ever seen another car with it, ever?)

+1 For Clewett wires.

[nomore]

I had the same problem w/ Beru wires. They are total CRAP.
+100 Jonny 042.

[Rodney Nelson]

Crazy how something like this can go south. 20 years ago Beru Wires were the Bees Knees... Postings like this are now way too common.

[991gts6s]

Everything is bean picked for most profit now.. so everything is low quality junk made in china

Gotta change this mind set... cant believe we need NOS plug wires now

[Baz]

The good news here is you found the issue and it wasn't anything insurmountable.

And sharing it with us - a bonus - spreading the news will help many others. Brownie points for the excellent photos, too!

Thank you and best wishes for the holidays!

[porsche930dude]

I recall some that suggested using the original beru ends and just replacing the wires. but that seems like half the problem to me.

[cmcfaul]

They break all the time. are a pain to get off.

Love the Magnacor's. Get the fat ones (biggest).

Chris

[pmax]

I wonder if there’s any correlation with where and when these Beru parts were made.

Is there a time and place coded on the product ?

Are you better off with the used 10 yr parts for instance ?

[howard freeman]

Originally Posted by Reiver

Porsche thought, initially, the exploding airbox was related to the wires cross firing. It wasn't but some still buy them (grounded/wire encased) because they always have. They are not necessary for any mechanical reason.

I've used Clewett for some time and they are modern spiral wound wires that will also work with any modern box/MSD etc.

Merry Christmas Pat!!

[Reiver]

Originally Posted by howard freeman

Merry Christmas Pat!!

Thanks Howard and back at ya... I've put 47 k miles on that 930-10....and I'm still in the same spot!

[john walker's workshop]

Funny, I've popped off tons of Carrera Beru connectors and can't remember any that broke down there. A few top angled pieces broke when they were really hard to get loose is all. Might be technique?

[Reiver]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

Funny, I've popped off tons of Carrera Beru connectors and can't remember any that broke down there. A few top angled pieces broke when they were really hard to get loose is all. Might be technique?

Could be or Beru, like many others, have cheapened the process by removing additives that make them resilient....or the Chinese that make them do to skim a bit more.

I've not seen a technique tho you pretty much pull straight up/out correct?