autolite plugs are junk??

[storlied]

Well when the ceramic cracks, that area can make an arc with the cyl if you think about it.. makes sense to me anyways... I'm pretty sure with the given information you've given us and also finding that crack.. replacing the plug is gonna have you good to go. How old are those coil packs also? Lil ignition issues can stress them.

 

[J_C]

The ceramic is there to strengthen the electrode inside. It can crack and the plug can continue to work fine, because the gap between the electrode and the side of the plug is still larger than that of the tip of the center electrode and the ground electrode.

However the center electrode commonly does crack when the ceramic does, so at that point the spark may or may not have sufficient voltage to jump the gap lower in the spark plug body, or without the ceramic to reinforce the center electrode it may easily crack later.

While it may not be worth the time on a $2-6 spark plug, one thing you can do after cleaning them up a bit is check resistance from terminal to center electrode with a multimeter, and compare with the other used plugs.

You don't "need" platinum plugs, but in a properly working engine they will last longer making the small cost difference worth it to not have to change plugs as often.

 

[joe doe]

Well when the ceramic cracks, that area can make an arc with the cyl if you think about it.. makes sense to me anyways... I'm pretty sure with the given information you've given us and also finding that crack.. replacing the plug is gonna have you good to go. How old are those coil packs also? Lil ignition issues can stress them.

the coil pack would be at the age of the truck .10 years old.

 

[storlied]

Same here, I'm going to be changing them here soon if after plug wires things aren't smooth as new. -_-''

 

[safn1949]

I'm running a set of NGK's in my 94,I have used them in some old beaters I had in the day and never had any problems.