hey guys

TL magna has a misfire when it's cold, once it's warm it runs fine... But that doesn't mean it doesn't mis fire. I service the car regularly (every 5000km) But i have never changed the leads or the rear bank plugs. The car is coming up to 300k km.

So i guess it's time to change the leads and give it a decent birthday.

i just need some advice and/or opinions on 2 things.

What leads should i use? brands?

and completely off topic, HID headlights. Has anyone used these?
http://www.hid-lightsdownunder.com/service1.html

from what i've read, people have issues with HID and the TL headlights, but theoretically these should work. Or am i just dreaming?


thanks for you time

Garry

how long ago did the rear bank plugs get changed..? ever.?

If not for a long time i would start with plugs before you start changing leads. Plugs are a serviceable item and you have only been servicing half your engine.

i've never changed the rear bank. But given the location, i might as well change the leads as well. I don't want to be pulling things off twice when i could've done them in the 1st place.

Well if you have done 300k and never ever changed the rear plugs im not surprised you have a misfire. People think its a 3 day job to get to rear bank on a V6. I could have my plugs changed in 15mins in the rear bank. The Plenum is a 5-10min job to get off, its only 10 bolts.

I would change the plugs and if you want you can change the leads also. im pretty sure you will find its the plugs as they will be filthy..

At a guess, I would say that the spark plug gap on the rear plugs will be enormous. It is supposed to be 1.0 to 1.1 mm, but I reckon yours will be at least 2 mm. My old NL Pajero had a gap of 1.6 mm after 100000 km, and it wasn't misfiring.

Well if you have done 300k and never ever changed the rear plugs im not surprised you have a misfire. People think its a 3 day job to get to rear bank on a V6. I could have my plugs changed in 15mins in the rear bank. The Plenum is a 5-10min job to get off, its only 10 bolts.

I would change the plugs and if you want you can change the leads also. im pretty sure you will find its the plugs as they will be filthy..

Agree, plenum is easy to take off (i'm a newbie and can do it in 15 mins). If you're careful you can leave the lines to the throttle body on and just lift the plenum enough to access the rear bank. Its a myth created by mechanics that its a big job so they can charge you 3-4 hours labour to change your rear plugs.

My motto is if its not broke don't mess with it. I'd change the plugs first and see if the problem is fixed. If the existing leads are still good i would keep using them.

My motto is if its not broke don't mess with it. I'd change the plugs first and see if the problem is fixed. If the existing leads are still good i would keep using them.

On the other hand, those plug leads are probably oil soaked, swollen, heat fused to the plugs after all this time, and will disintegrate when you pull them out of the holes, so having a full set on hand is probably going to be a good idea. And you will find the rocket cover leaks too, and then there are those plug seals.

If you do this little job yourself, have the right spares on hand, in other words.

If this is your first time doing this job, take careful note of torque wrench settings. Those 10 bolts may be huge, but they bolt into alloy and are easy to strip.

i've never changed the rear bank. But given the location, i might as well change the leads as well. I don't want to be pulling things off twice when i could've done them in the 1st place.

Also consider doing the rocker cover gasket and plug seals at the same time, I had a misfire on the old TH because oil had leaked out from the plug seal and filled the spark plug well.

i plan to replace plugs, leads and all gaskets (with added gasket goo)

But the questions still remain, what brand leads should i use?

I'm staying away from Top Gun leads.... i've had trouble with them years ago with a different car. So any suggestions?

and completely off topic, HID headlights. Has anyone used these?
http://www.hid-lightsdownunder.com/service1.html

from what i've read, people have issues with HID and the TL headlights, but theoretically these should work. Or am i just dreaming?
HIDs generally shouldn't be used unless you install them in the proper housing (e.g. projector retrofit). Having said that, I think there's been at least one or two people over the years who have commented on a very poor outcome by installing HIDs into TL headlights.

HID Lights Downunder is a good site though, my brother and my dad both use their 70w HID kits in their spotlights and have been very satisfied with them.

what i was trying to identify is they have a H4 HID with "glare shields". Thus theoretically identical to a normal halogen globes.

But the questions still remain, what brand leads should i use?

I'm staying away from Top Gun leads.... i've had trouble with them years ago with a different car. So any suggestions?

I ended up getting Bosch leads as that was all that was available on a Sunday at Supercheap Auto. However, I've been told by many people since that they have experienced issues with them. Mine seem fine so far after 15,000km.

The best bet is the OEM leads but they are quite expensive from the stealership. I'm sure a search of the forums or google you can find out which manufacturer made the OEM mitsubishi ones.

Eagle leads are pretty good, although pricey - part number is E76163.

i rung the dealership today for a price of the leads. They said the cheapest is $207au.

i then laughed and asked if i'd get a happy ending with that too... his reply, no.