Just got back from u-pull it yard with some spark plug wires. But they dont seem like the right ones. Are the turbo and non-turbo wires different?

Matt

 

Buying used spark plug wires are like buying used condoms. No one should ever do it.

For $49 you can get OEM Bougicord from FCP Groton and well worth the expense. - AB

 

LMAO. you took the words right out of my mouth. Who in the HELL removes USED WIRES FROM A JUNKYARD to put on their vehicle?!

 

So is that a YES or NO.... Who the hell removes them??? uuummm a poor person. 3 bucks verses 49.The rubber around my wires are splitting so i needed quick fix, car still is not up to running condition. Leaking oil over spark plug area so i figured there was no sense in getting brand new ones, brand new ones come later when car is running good...

I asked a question and get flamed for it, nice......

 

You need thicker skin.

As to your problem more than likely a $3 oil cap gasket will fix your oil over the spark plug area problem. That too could be caused from clogged PCV system, but that aside, using old spark plug wires just isn't a good idea, for they could be worse than what you have now.

All 850's use the same wireset, so assuming the car you got these from actually ran with them, they should be fine. Did you label them as you removed them? - AB

 

NA's and turbos's use the same wires, but they do use different plugs. The wires, if OEM Volvo, should have the date stampled on them. If they are within five years old they should be fine as long as they look good. By the way, I can see buying used wires for $3.00. So what if they don't work, you're out 3 bucks. Pretty sure I would stay away from used condoms though.

 

you speak of trying to get your car in running condition...using "used wires" when you could get the right ones for only $50. You're going to damage the engine etc. taking halfass steps like that.

 

Very odd, because the ones a picked up seen skinner on the top. The ones in now have a fatter top to them.

Car is running but im waiting to do Breather install, which happens next weekend. But i didnt want oil to leak into spark plugs, which it was with old wires on. The new, old wires now block entrance to spark plugs so oil cant seep into them, wires look great, no oil traces on them. I still need to drive car to drop my kid off at school. Once everything checks out, i will invest in new wires.

Matt

 

Let's not be too harsh on this guy. I think he knows idealy he should purchase NEW wires, but at this moment maybe he just cannot, and he's just trying to get this car on the road as economically as possible.

I'd say te best place to start with this car is do a complete tune up (plugs, wires, cap, rotor) and get the PCV kit and an oil cap gasket. Everything total is over $200 from Groton, but well worth it in the end. Good luck and let us know how things go! Piece it out as you can afford.

 

Since you guy's are on this topic i was wondering if any of you had any paticullar spark plug wire brandthat would be a good upgrade aswell as distributer cap for an 850

 

I totally agree with you xjflexer.
In comparison to other cars I've owned, Volvos are more expensive to maintain in my opinion. Sometimes i feel you have to be rich to own one especially when you have dealerships in the area that really cheat money out of you. Sometimes i am in the situation when i have to use used parts (not on the volvo yet tho)even if it comes to used wires, which i have done on my previous car. As long as they look in better condition than the current ones, $3 dollars sounds good to me! Good luck with getting the car running right!

 

I would go with Bougicord wires (they are the orignal equipment from the factory) and Bosch cap and rotor. Can't go wrong with OEM!

 

Even though my ownership with Volvo has been rather brief (Purchased my first last fall, and the second in January), coming from owning nothing but Volkswagens for 15 years (okay, I did have a big *** Jeep Cherokee that would drive over our Volvos without flinching...I miss that thing!), these Volvos have been extremely CHEAP for me to own. While the VWs were fun to drive when they ran, parts were just over priced. Granted, I do the vast majority of my own work on my cars, so I save on labor. I've done a ton of work on my 850 wagon trying to correct the last several years of neglect from the P.O., I STILL haven't come even close to paying what I did to keep a VW running for the same amount of time. And the VWs had half the milage (vws, well cared for at 60k, 850 wagon neglected140k). I wouldn't own a VW now except for the fact I inherited my Golf from my mom. Luckilly for me, she just sank over $3000 in the car before she passed....and that car only has 53k on it!

I'm not against using used parts. Sometimes the used parts are just as good as new. You just have to inspect what you're purchasing and you should be okay.

 

Hi Matt,

As long as the engine is running ok with the wires you put on, there is no imminent need to replace the wires until you have enough to buy French Bougicord. If in doubt, check with a digital multimeter for correct Ω readings on each wire. The specs are in generic service manual, such as Haynes, etc... In case if you don't have a multimeter, I would get one from Sears Craftsman. A $20-$40 meter would suffice for most home mechanics. Most of the time, you use one for testing resistance, voltage andcontinuity.

FCP Groton seems to have 3 brands for the wire:

1. Bougicord (OEM-French): $49
2. Bosch (Most likely German): $55
3. MTC (USA): $29.95

http://www.fcpgroton.com/volvo850tuneup.htm

As xjflexer has noted, yes generally OEM parts are the best, unless they have recalls/known problems. However, if you do not plan to keep the car for more than 2-3 years or so, MTC would be fine.

I hope this is of some use for you.

Regards,


JPN