Thundersteel

A few months ago, I installed new Champion 7989 plugs (car had 10k miles). Everything was great for the first 1,000 miles or so. But one day, the engine began to run rough, and then the Check Engine light came on. I had the codes read, and it said the #6 plug wasn't firing. I removed the plug, and the center electrode was missing!

The plug was replaced with another Champion, and everything was fine, but only for about another 1,000 miles. The enging was running rough again, so this time, I pulled ALL the plugs. The plug in cylinder #8 had a cracked insulator, and #5 had a missing center electrode.

So, in the past 2,000 miles or so, I've had two plugs with missing electrodes, and one with a cracked insulator.

I installed two more Champions, and everything was fine. But now, the engine is beginning to run rough again. Other than the Champions, the engine is completely stock.

So, is my motor damaging the plugs, or are the Champions crap?

JRC702

Your car came with the 2 piece plugs?

Diabolical!

Yank those champions and switch to Autolites.

timmbo

There is more than defective plugs going on here. I ran those plugs before I went supercharged and never had a problem. Sounds like you might be running extremely lean and burning them out. It would be helpful if you posted a photo. Are you running a custom tune on this car?

Thundersteel

Yes, they were the original factory plugs, and it ran perfect. I only installed the Champions to avoid the dreaded "broken plug syndrome."

No. Except for the plugs, the engine is completely stock.



I've been using Champion for years, and never had a problem until now. But since they're made in Mexico now, I'm beginning to doubt their quality.

timmbo

Hmmm. Wouldn't doubt it either.

kzonts

I'm not trying to be insulting, but are they truly the right plugs? I once bought plugs and they gave me the wrong ones. Their computer actuallly called for the wrong ones. I always verify what they give me is correct. I go to the the manuafacturers web site and do a part lookup before I head to the store. I also do a visual check as well.

Thundersteel

They're the 7989s.


I should've kept my old plugs, but I tossed them after I bought the Champions.

kzonts

Ok. It sounds like they may be rattling around or vibrating to cause them to break apart, or they are making contact with your moving engine parts. Weird. Never heard of anything like this.

Goldenpony

After 6 of 8 of the OE plugs snapped off, I installed a set of the #7989 Champions. That was 60,000 trouble free miles ago. I have already purchased another set of Champions to install in 5K more miles.