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08-05-2008
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#1 (Post Link)
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Newbie
Classifieds Disabled
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 1
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When to change spark plugs?
I have a 4-year-old twin spark 147 with unusually low mileage - only 9,000.
The service centre suggests I have new spark plugs fitted, as the vehicle's reached the age of 4. But is this necessary considering the low mileage?
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08-05-2008
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#2 (Post Link)
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Club Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Essex & Suffolk Border
Posts: 21,686
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Re: When to change spark plugs?
Hello and Welcome to the forum 
Alfa 147, 156 & GT - Alfa Romeo Forum Post your question in a new thread in there and some of the guys will be along to help shortly  |
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08-05-2008
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#3 (Post Link)
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AO Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: in front of the PC
Posts: 499
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Re: When to change spark plugs?
AFAIK the spark plugs should be changed every 60k miles, not sure how many years they last though....
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09-05-2008
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#4 (Post Link)
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Super Moderator
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 28,786
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Re: When to change spark plugs?
Hi
moved to 147 lounge |
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09-05-2008
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#5 (Post Link)
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AO Platinum Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 12,241
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Re: When to change spark plugs?
I don't think you need to change yours. What's your fuel economy like? Does the car run smoothly?
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09-05-2008
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#6 (Post Link)
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AO Silver Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,653
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Re: When to change spark plugs?
5 years/ 60,000 miles is the plug interval.
As you dont do many miles and thus I suspect a few runs when the car isnt fully warmed up, it might be an idea to do them early.
More importantly, the cambelt needs done every 3 years, has that been done?
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09-05-2008
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#7 (Post Link)
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Newbie
Classifieds Disabled
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Manchester
Posts: 7
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Re: When to change spark plugs?
Originally Posted by cj romeo
5 years/ 60,000 miles is the plug interval.
As you dont do many miles and thus I suspect a few runs when the car isnt fully warmed up, it might be an idea to do them early.
More importantly, the cambelt needs done every 3 years, has that been done?
Couldn't agree more, as my post of a few days ago will testify. Don't leave it just because the car has low mileage. |
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09-05-2008
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#8 (Post Link)
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AO Gold Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: London, England
Posts: 7,534
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Re: When to change spark plugs?
Originally Posted by joty
The service centre suggests I have new spark
plugs fitted, as the vehicle's reached the age of 4. But is this necessary considering the low mileage?
The change point is 5-years/60000miles (whichever comes first).
BUT as already mentioned in this thread... Cambelt, has it been done?
If not GET IT DONE NOW.
As the plugs come out for the belt change, you may decide to replace them at the same time. |
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09-05-2008
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#9 (Post Link)
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AO Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Norfolk UK
Posts: 230
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Re: When to change spark plugs?
Originally Posted by David C
As the plugs come out for the belt change, you may decide to replace them at the same time.
Crikey!!! 
That'll be expensive (Belt and Plugs at same time).
Have just had my 60K service done, which includes the plugs.
Alfa dealer price was £17ea for the big ones and £10ea for the small ones.
Although you can get them cheaper obviously. |
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09-05-2008
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#10 (Post Link)
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Newbie
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 6
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Re: When to change spark plugs?
just had mine changed due to misfire, turns out to be coli pack gone , but plugs also past there best at 80k, was on holiday in cornwall at the time, not a cheap holiday.
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10-05-2008
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#11 (Post Link)
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AO Gold Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Carterton, Oxfordshire
Posts: 6,181
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Re: When to change spark plugs?
Originally Posted by Pte1643
Crikey!!!
That'll be expensive (Belt and Plugs at same time).
Have just had my 60K service done, which includes the plugs.
Alfa dealer price was £17ea for the big ones and £10ea for the small ones.
Although you can get them cheaper obviously.
They are about £60 a set, try ebay, shop4parts, alfashop, EBspares etc.. |
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10-05-2008
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#12 (Post Link)
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AO Gold Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: London, England
Posts: 7,534
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Re: When to change spark plugs?
Originally Posted by blaineuk
... but plugs also past there best at 80k
Not surprising when they should have been replaced 20000miles earlier...  |
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10-05-2008
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#13 (Post Link)
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AO Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 88
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Re: When to change spark plugs?
Now, if you were to switch to a diesel....... |
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10-05-2008
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#14 (Post Link)
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AO Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Ponty
Posts: 585
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Re: When to change spark plugs?
Blimmey I changed my plugs first before camelt  The car has only done 43'000 miles and I thought I'd changed them when they didnt even need doing until 60'000 miles. Now I'm changing cam belt, and when taking it off I noticed a split in cambelt It wouldnt of lasted much longer, so I'm glad that I'm doing it now.
A guy called round for some parts for his 156 last night and he just had the cam belt tensioner explode He got new valves etc but I told him that the bottom end goes as well normaly. |
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10-05-2008
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#15 (Post Link)
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AO Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Ponty
Posts: 585
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Re: When to change spark plugs?
Originally Posted by symonh2000
They are about £60 a set, try ebay, shop4parts, alfashop, EBspares etc..
Halfords do the small ones in bosch, but not the big ones |
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