Magnecore wire question

Rick V · 10-22-2006, 08:13 AM

Ok so I needed some new wires, the factory wires gave up after 24 years. I did some searching, and asked some questions and the Magnecores were rated fairly high, so I bought. For some unknown reason they will jump off of the plugs. About once a week the car will start missing slightly, I simply shut off the engine and start pushing on the wire where it goes into the valve cover. Every time a wire will "click" back into place and the miss goes away.............for about a week. It is never the same wire. Has anybody else had this problem? I'm not "dissing" Magnecore, I have been happy with them except for this one problem.
I am using the Bosch plugs so I know it isn't a problem with them. The valve covers are the ones that came on the car so I know it isn't that the valleys are too deep. I would hate to think this is how they are.
Any input would be welcome.
P.S. I would like to get this fixed before the Dragon meet.

bell · bell's Garage

is there tension when you push them on the plugs? maybe the rubber boot is hanging up on the plug. lubricate the inside of the boot with a dielectric grease or wd-40 may work if that's where it's hanging up.

Rockafella · Rockafella's Garage

mine were perfect at the cylinders but tough at the distributor. The boot makes them feel like they went in when they didn't. lube, feel for click, *light* tug back to verify.

Mine have been great once we got past that first install and it not seating 100%. I know exactly what you are talking about.

stlrj · 10-22-2006, 08:33 AM

The reason they're coming off is because they are not snapped on the plug to begin with. If you examine the connector you will find that the tube will slide off the boot and the wire will also pull through the boot so that you can adjust the length of connector inside the tube to make it easier to snap onto the plug.

If your plug connectors are anything like mine, they should look like this:

Just pull the wire back until the metal connector is flush with the tip of the tube and you should not have any trouble feeling it snap onto the plug. Then you can pull back on the wire while pushing down on the valve cover boot to make it flush with the valve cover.

Joe

Rick V · 10-22-2006, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bell
is there tension when you push them on the plugs? maybe the rubber boot is hanging up on the plug. lubricate the inside of the boot with a dielectric grease or wd-40 may work if that's where it's hanging up.

Already did that when I installed them new. They click and the boots that seal to the valve covers are flat so I know it isn't a tention problem. I haven't had any problems with the cap end, I spread the ends slightly when I installed them. I knew about that end problem.
Just ticks me off I would expect a little more for $250, you know.

Rick V · 10-22-2006, 08:48 AM

I should mention I am a long time wrench so I know what I am doing. this is a problem with the wires not the instulation.

stlrj · 09:12 AM

Quote:

Just ticks me off I would expect a little more for $250, you know.

That's why I'm so happy I went the OEM Chrysler ignition wire route. Even at the Chrysler dealer they only cost $100.

I can't understand why someone dosn't just buy these, modify them slightly to fit the 911 and sell them to our host so they could make a profit and everyone would be happy.

Cheers,

Joe

Zeke · 10-22-2006, 09:05 AM

It's that big rat's nest on your clyinders that won't allow all the air to flow past the cylinders, so it's blowing your wires off.

(Stanger things have happened)

Rick V · 10-22-2006, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by milt
It's that big rat's nest on your clyinders that won't allow all the air to flow past the cylinders, so it's blowing your wires off.

(Stanger things have happened)

Acording to my wife the only rats nest around here is on top of my head.

quint22cp · quint22cp's Garage

stlrj

Please can you post more info on the "OEM Chrysler ignition wire route" I'm not familiar with this.

Formerly Steve Wilkinson · 10-22-2006, 12:03 PM

I've had Magnacors for several years now and never had them pop off the plugs. Admittedly the bottom plugs have small hold-down straps, but the top plugs have never been a problem. As Rockefella said, they are tough at the distributor end, but even there, they seem to stay in place.

RoninLB · 10-22-2006, 01:33 PM

I noticed that all magnacore boots were a bit tight.

Before install I installed them on an old cap and plugs. Then I heated them with a hair drier and pushed them down to fit and seat them. I repeated this for a few days. Maybe this can be done with one try but I was in no hurry and wanted a confirm of my bs.

never had a problem since real install.

jbrinkley · 10-22-2006, 02:54 PM

you all realize you can buy magnacors all day long for $110 right?

Rick V · 10-22-2006, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jbrinkley
you all realize you can buy magnacors all day long for $110 right?

82SC+pelican$223+shipping=$250

jbrinkley · 10-22-2006, 03:45 PM

obviously I didn't get mine at PP

VaSteve · 10-22-2006, 05:50 PM

Rick, I have had a couple pop off. Don't know if the rubber at the hole is pushing back and creating tension. I bought the wires only a few months after buying the car, so I don't have a lot of prior experience with it. I had one pop off the 944 as well (might have been a crappy install). It's a weird feeling to be coming out of a turn on the track and have a miss!

On the 911, I also had a plug tip back off the plug. What a pain that is, trying to fish the tip out.

Formerly Steve Wilkinson · 10-23-2006, 05:11 AM

$110? That would be the Chinese Magnacors?

jbrinkley · 07:05 AM

If I even say anything I'll get blasted by the faithful. It's no big secret. I paid 112 for a 8mm blue set, but whatever, buy 'em wherever you want

Formerly Steve Wilkinson · 10-23-2006, 06:46 AM

I'm just saying that I can't help but think they're Magnecore lookalikes, not Magnecores.

Bearded Viking · 10-23-2006, 06:59 AM

They are not lookalikes. I purchased my blue mags for that price too. Gotta shop around.