vw@vwhelp.com

E-Mail Questions with Answers

Question:---> Why do you recommend Solid Copper Core Spark Plug Wires Wires. I asked my local Auto Parts store and they said to use the Carbon Core Resistance wires just like my truck uses. They said No new cars uses solid core plug wires anymore. Dave

Answer:---> Well he is right in saying no new cars use the solid copper core wires. If you got a nice radio in your car you won't appreciate all the static you will be hearing. But if you have a buggy or race car without the radio, then the solid copper wire is the ones to use. Up until about 1980 most cars were equipped with carbon core plug wires (also called resistance wires) They had a fiberglass core impregnated with latex graphite. This type plug wire provides about 3,000 to 12,000 ohms resistance / foot to suppress radio frequency interference (RFI) But with all that internal resistance a lot of heat is produced. Over time this heat brakes down the carbon core causing the resistance to increase. As the resistance goes up, so does risk of ignition misfire. That's why old plug wires are a common cause of poor ignition performance and hard starting.
Then in the 1980s, most cars began using a different type of plug wires called "inductance" or "mag" wires. This type of spark plug wire uses a spiral wound core of copper/nickel alloy. These Mag plug wires offer much less resistance (only about 500ohms/foot. They block the RFI by the magnetic field created by the spiral wound core. The copper wire does not change resistance over time, so wires do not have to be replaced as often. Now the solid copper core wire is not spiral wound so it has even less resistance but will cause radio static. Excessive resistance can cause coil failure. The more resistance the wire has the better the insulation must be.
Silicon insulated plug wires are typically the most expensive and are needed on most new cars because of the tremendous heat built up under the hood. The Silicon plug wires can withstand the heat but they don't like any oil on them. The VW build's up very little heat around the plug wires so Silicon insulated wires are not needed and just add to the cost with little benefit.

Please remember that spark plug wires are never removed by pulling on the wires, always pull on plug boot and be extra careful when removing plug wires from a hot motor.

Spark Plug -> *info       Spark Plug Ends -> *info

Victor Comp. Products Inc. **--Vic's--**Phone 816-650-3535 • 230 S Hudson St., Buckner, Missouri, 64016, US
All Questions should be E-Mailed to Vic's

Contact Webmaster