spark plugs

[Rogmok]

i just replaced my plugs like less than 10K ago... just put in some bosch platium +4's (i think) from autozone..
i hadn't heard anything bad about them..

but lately my car hasn't been startin' so good.. dunno if its the cold or the plugs.. (guess it coudl be the starter, since i've had problems w/ it before)

It hasn't NOT started, but it takes like 4 or 5 sparks(is that what its called) before the car actually starts.. Used to be like one or two...

[ren28]

Make sure it's not the battery in addition to checking the plugs. Also, cold weather starting is harder for the car's lead-acid battery. It depends how cold it is.

I suppose if it's cranking fast (good battery and starter), it would point to the plugs or other ignition components.

[Azn Retribution]

do you have Direct Ignition(DI) or a distributor and wires.

[Rogmok]

um.. i think i have a distributor and wires. i'm not exactly sure what a DI.

but i replaced my ignition wires w/ Accel 300+ wires.. a while back.. didn't really change anything performance-wise.. the wires were just yellow and looked cooloer :)

Today.. after the coldest night of the year.. my car was really strugglin'... it started eventually..

[ren28]

Check the voltage on that battery before starting the car.

[mrazntre]

have you ever changed your cap and rotor?

[Rogmok]

nope.. i changed the battery a while back cause i thought something was wrong w/ it..

i've never changed my cap and rotor though... how often do those need to be replaced?

[mrazntre]

depends on what you drive.

if you're driving a forced induction car, it needs to be replace in shorter intervals than a regular n/a car. i used to do my cap and rotor at about 6,000 mile intervals on my SC mr2.

on an N/A you prolly don't have to change it for 15-20k. If you want to upkeep your vehicle it really should be changed at least once a year (~15k). what does your maintenance schedule say? i don't really pay attention to mfr recommendations because they go wayyyy to long before shit on some things, and have extremely short intervals on other things.

btw: what are the cold cranking amps on your battery? like ren28 said, cold starting HEAVILY strains your battery. cold cranking amps aid in starting the car in cold weather. The warmer the battery (thus environment) the lesser cranking amps you need. This is why you see battery warmers and shiet, for crisp starts on cold/freezing nights.