Plug wire question.

[Nick Triesch]

I know this is a dumb question . I'm moving stuff out of the way for Valve adjustment and maintenance but the wires to the distributor are like glued to the distributor cap! They have been on there a long time. I don't want to damage the wires. Do you just monkey fist them off? Thanks, Nick

[Bob Kontak]

Try a hair dryer to warm up the rubber seal.

There are spark plug pliers that are pretty nifty. I got this one at NAPA. It is a KD tool #135. That would give you a good strong grip so you can twist a bit.

Regular old fashioned pliers should work as well. You can always take the cap and wires off and get it on a bench if access is a problem.

[Nick Triesch]

Thanks Bob! Nick

[K Sykes]

If they are that stuck, it might be time for new wires.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by K Sykes

If they are that stuck, it might be time for new wires.

I am with you - kind of - if they are beru's and they have not been messed with much (twisted/yanked/etc) maybe the rubber just got hard?

I suggest pulling the whole lot out of the car (cap and wires) an putting an ohm meter on them. Usually a couple thousand ohms. The main thing to look for is consistency among them.

I have put on Nology and a new set of Beru's thinking wires were bad (before learning in this forum) but the problem was, I read the Permatune and MSD write-ups on 60 thousandths gap being ok. So, like the ignorant noob I was, I did it. The boxes can handle it but there needs to be extra steps taken to insure no arcing takes place. I don't think standard wires are the answer to that.

Anyhoo, put on Clewett wires and use NGK copper plugs with stock gap and all is well. I am leaving a bit on the table as I think you can open the gap a wee bit more without downside. Just nice to have it run smooth - all the time.

[Nick Triesch]

I just got back from Auto zone to pick up the plug boot pliers and some plug boot lube and I asked about new wires. The guy looked them up and they were $175! I think I'll wait a bit. Tune up kit was $165 and my car was running great not missing a beat before I started taking stuff off to gain access to valves. I'll get them, Daughter in college! I think Porsche should have installed valve adjustment fender side doors! Also when I unclipped the air filter box to get the filter out it seems to me that the very bottom front clip was not clipped. So I checked it out. On my car anyway there is no way possible to put in a hand of any size behind there to unclip it. Seems there is anti noise material back there so no room.

[Porshaah]

If you can separate/lift the boot from the distributor by passing a thin stiff wire between them, that's 1/2 the battle. Also, injecting some lubricant in there, like dish washing soap, helps too. Spark plug wires are considered a consumable, just like engine oil - 30 thousand miles or 10 years (i.e. I've heard mentioned) which ever comes 1st. Typically its the insulation which deteriorates 1st, not the inner wire. ******** has a good selection.