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Ignition wires/distr cap/rotor lasts only 3 years?? 850

This morning, it was very wet, like it rained all night.

started the car, then idle was erratic... hmmmm i immediately thought about ignition parts. Rev'd the engine a little and after it warmed up everything was fine. At the end of the day, same weather, same problem which solved itself after 1-2 minutes of driving.

I know all this points the ignition system. I remember my good old 244 needed a set of plug wires each year because they ran between the exhaust manifold runners and self-destructed pretty easily. But on the 850, arent they supposed to last a good amount of time? I made the super-fcpgroton-tuneup (cap, rotor, wires, plugs) 3 years ago.

Is the fact that it is a turbo explains the short life of those parts?

thanks








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    Ignition wires/distr cap/rotor lasts only 3 years?? 850

    You can always try getting a squirt bottle and spraying water around the engine compartment. You might find something sensitive to getting damp.








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    Ignition wires/distr cap/rotor lasts only 3 years?? 850

    Ignition parts can last many years, but they are subject to failures which are episodic, not necessarily time-dependent. A particular ignition wire may crack or get eaten, even if others are ok. Sometimes a control module or coil gets a crack too, at a random time. Or a primary wire may get corroded. For me the lesson is to inspect the whole system every couple of years or so.

    That said, have you looked closely at your spark plugs? On my 850 I have been changing them every 35-40,000 miles or so. At time of change the car seems to run fine, but the plugs can look quite eroded. Afterward the car may or may not run better - it's hard for me to tell. The plug replacement seems like good insurance against problems under severe wet weather conditions.

    You could also try observing under the hood with engine at idle on a very dark night to see if there is any sign of arcing in the system. Since your problem is on a cold start that would be the condition to try.

    Have you eliminated possible fuel flow or pressure problems, or primary electrical power/voltage regulation?








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      Ignition wires/distr cap/rotor lasts only 3 years?? 850

      I ordered the fcp groton tune up kit. I will go the safe way. it is cheap and easy to do.

      by the way, i just ran into a deer tonight. The poor animal died. front bumper/grille/left headlight/hood suffered. Time to call my insurance company.

      ps. a deer is pretty heavy when you try to toss it on the side of the road. Pretty disgusting too.








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    Ignition wires/distr cap/rotor lasts only 3 years?? 850

    The plastic cover on the cap is quite soft and easy to crack if you used a wrench to put the cover on. Other than that, your "tune up" should last for a long time, like 10 years.
    Look for other problems.

    Klaus
    --
    The 164 has a new home, all I am left with are a 95 854T and a 98 V70R :)








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    Ignition wires/distr cap/rotor lasts only 3 years?? 850

    Maybe try giving the wires a thin coating of silicon grease or try some silicon spray. It sounds like it may be just one wire.








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    Ignition wires/distr cap/rotor lasts only 3 years?? 850

    I've been running the same cap, rotor, plugs and wires for the last 104K miles (yes you read that right) in my S70. It runs smooth and I'm consistently getting 29MPG. I bought new plugs, wires and cap/rotor 3 months ago, I just haven't had a chance to put them in.








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    Ignition wires/distr cap/rotor lasts only 3 years?? 850

    Hi,
    I'm still running the original plug wires in my two 850 -94 having 255/215 kkm , wondering also myself for how long.
    Your symptoms definetly point towards the ignition.
    Replaced distributor and cup in the sedan when looking for unstable idle some time ago but the reason was inlet manifold leak, not ignition.
    Tapsa







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