Hi everyone, I recently purchased a 1991 Volvo 740 wagon, 4 cyl. I have had it for a short while and haven't done any work on it yet. I'm preparing to do a tuneup and when I inquired at a local auto store about the cost/price for spark plug wires the store asked what sort of ignition the car had. I didn't know the answer to this, since it's a new car to me and it's my first Volvo.

So I was wondering if anyone here could direct me to figure out the answer to this question - so that I may ultimately purchase some new spark plug wires and proceed with my tune up.

I've done a little looking around, and the usual image searches on the web. I'm posting here in the hopes someone with more experience can provide some help or direction. There are 2 photos, see below.

Also, what is the general consensus about spark plug wires here? Do you suggest buying Volvo brand spark plug wires or ?

Thanks for your help!

 

Your car has a Regina fuel injection system.

 

Thanks. I just called the local Volvo dealer and got more information from them. Apparently the wires are only specific to a TURBO or NON TURBO vehicle. I'm not sure why the previous person at the other place asked about the BRAND of ignition module... when apparently the only question is whether its a TURBO or NONTURBO. Mine is a non-turbo so I was able to get a price for VOLVO spark plug wires and I'll be picking those up soon.

I guess REGINA means it is non-turbo? Or could a REGINA system still be a turbo? Just curious. Thanks for your help!

 

that square box transformer-looking ignition coil is teh REX ignition system, which is bundled with the Regina fuel injection. Regina/Rex uses different coil wire than Bosch, so a complete spark plug wire set with coil wire included would be different. the spark plug wires themselves would be the same as tehy run from the distributor to the spark plugs.

You have a non-turbo (Turbos are always Bosch, although Bosch are not always turbocharged). Note the air hose going directly from the air filter box to the throttle body and intake manifold. A Turbo would have the air filter box on the opposite side (swapped with the battery), and have air hoses from airbox to turbocharger (on the exhaust manifold), then turbo to intercooler, and intercooler to throttle body to manifold, like this...



the actual turbo...



note mine is a 1992, earlier turbo models were slightly different but not significantly.

 

btw, I highly recommend the "Bougicord" brand spark plug wire sets as sold online by IPDusa, and FCPeuro.

 

Thanks so much for the response, Pierce, it helps a lot.

Why do you recommend the 'Bougicord' wire set? Do you think grabbing a set from the dealer is a bad idea?

I'm going to do some research on 'Bougicord' tonight.

Are there any tricks I should know before swapping spark plugs on this car? This is my first time doing any work on a Volvo, although I've done plenty of work on GM and Ford model vehicles. I've had vehicles that were pretty fussy about spark plugs in the past, which is why I ask.


Thanks again!

 

I'd be surprised if a dealer even HAD spark plugs for a older 740/940 anymore.

the bouigcord cord sets are exact OEM spec

re: spark plugs, I forget what spec plugs these use off the top of my head, but you definitely want to stick with the right type, and use copper plugs, not platinum/tungsten/buzzzwha crap-du-jour. check and set the gap...

 

I was told earlier they did have them in stock at the local Volvo Dealer (wires and plugs).

Those Bougicord sets seem to have positive reviews online. They're half the price of the dealer's set. Hmmm.

 

I meant to say, I'd be surprised if the dealer had wires in stock. I know they have volvo branded plugs. But, I usually use NGK BPR6ES or Bosch Super (copper) WR7DC+, I've had no troubles from either of these with 100s of 1000s of miles on redbricks.

 

FYI check those wires for positive plug connectivity. I recently purchased a Bougicord set and the only issue I had was the wire on the plug end was not pushed in deep enough into the boot so the metal connector didnt snap onto the plug. Other then that those wires really smoothed out my engine idle.

 

Yeah, thats good advice. Just let me add one thing- I have a 92 740 wagon with a Rex/regina ignition. I ordered a set of Bougicord wires and Volvo spark plugs from IPD. (ipdusa.com) They sold me a matched set because there are some differences between the different plugs and wires.their web-site explains this. And don't be afraid to call them and ask for advice.They are super helpful and knowledgeable.

 

The Regina takes one loooong coil wire, the Bosch not--biggest difference. Also there are some 940, especially in 1993, where the distributor is mounted on the front a la 240, and if you have one of those, you gotta get 240 wires and a dist. cap. Talk about a confusion at the parts store!

 

I had the same issue with connection to the spark plug. I ended up trimming the boot down.

 

Thanks everyone. Here's an update to this thread:

Upon further inspection I noticed, much to my surprise after discussing this with PIERCE, that the cables on my vehicle are Bougicord! And they look pretty good. I guess I can thank the previous owner for getting the right set of wires.

So I decided to keep the wires I have, since they seem to be in great shape, and I changed the spark plugs. See my thread about the spark plugs, posted today.