Notices
RX-8 Discussion General discussion about the RX-8 that doesn't fit in one of the specialty forums.

replacing plugs myself - how do i know which is leading vs trailing

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 11-10-2006, 11:56 AM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
toxin440's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Texas
Posts: 994
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
replacing plugs myself - how do i know which is leading vs trailing

hi all

hoping to pick up some new spark plugs - going for the BUT-EQ7P (leading) and BUR-EQ9P (trailing) .... on the car itself how do i know which plug is which? Are there markings to easily tell wether the hole requires a leading or trailing plug?


Pics would be helpful thanks!

Jeff
Old 11-10-2006, 12:05 PM
  #2  
Registered User
 
Aseras's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,587
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
the side of the engine has a T or a L

https://www.rx8club.com/attachment.p...chmentid=21350

the 7 are leading and the 9 are trailing.

Last edited by Aseras; 11-10-2006 at 12:08 PM.
Old 11-10-2006, 12:23 PM
  #3  
Mu ha.. ha...
 
Razz1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Cali
Posts: 14,361
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Go to DIY forum.

You need a wobble extension.
Old 11-10-2006, 02:23 PM
  #4  
Registered User
 
F22C1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you study the rotary and it's motion of rotation and phases, the rotors always compresses air on the side followed by the exhaust phase on the bottom of the housing. That means if you ever are lost... in a normal 13b setup fashion, the leading plugs are the plugs closest to the ground.
Old 11-10-2006, 02:30 PM
  #5  
stop flooding ur engines
 
RoXanneBlack8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NE
Posts: 587
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
maybe its just me but if u dont kno leading from trailing you shouldnt be working on this car
Old 11-10-2006, 02:41 PM
  #6  
Winning is Everything
 
WRXtoRX8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Justin, TX DFW area
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by RoXanneBlack8
maybe its just me but if u dont kno leading from trailing you shouldnt be working on this car
why is that? How is someone supposed to learn and become knowledgable if they don't ask and try?
Old 11-10-2006, 02:43 PM
  #7  
Registered
 
ken-x8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 5,027
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Originally Posted by RoXanneBlack8
maybe its just me but if u dont kno leading from trailing you shouldnt be working on this car
Everyone has to start somewhere. That he asked tells me he's got the brains to learn and do it right.

Plus, after what he went through with the smash-and-grab, a little intimate time with the mechanicals will be just what he and his 8 need.

Ken
Old 11-10-2006, 03:14 PM
  #8  
I dont care...
 
otherside's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Pleasantville
Posts: 574
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by abbid
I think this has been mentioned to you once before, and ill do it again. Maybe this time in a language you can understand:

quit flamin peeps, ever1 starts sumwhere. Just becuz he aint as knowledged as you is, duznt mean he shuldnt work on his car.
Yeah, stupid statement for sure...The easiest way to remember trailing and leading is L=lower plugs and T=top plugs and it is really very easy.
Old 11-10-2006, 04:41 PM
  #9  
Registered
 
Old Rotor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Northern California
Posts: 2,196
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have seen two dif gap setting(.032-.036in). The owners manual says ".045-.049in"and change after 28-30 months or 35-37.5K miles. What are you useing? How many miles did you put on them?

Last edited by Old Rotor; 11-10-2006 at 04:47 PM.
Old 11-10-2006, 08:26 PM
  #10  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
toxin440's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Texas
Posts: 994
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I put 30K miles on the stock plugs - i did all my own 30K maintence, and the plugs are the last of this set of maintence items.

on and RoXanne - this is the first time ever changing the plugs in a rotary - thanks for your vote of confidence, now kindly go to hell.

A big thanks to all that chimed in - I will be replacing the plugs tommorow.
Old 11-11-2006, 03:26 AM
  #11  
Zoom-Freakin'-Zoom
iTrader: (5)
 
swoope's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: orlando, fl
Posts: 14,602
Received 35 Likes on 31 Posts
Originally Posted by toxin440
I put 30K miles on the stock plugs - i did all my own 30K maintence, and the plugs are the last of this set of maintence items.

on and RoXanne - this is the first time ever changing the plugs in a rotary - thanks for your vote of confidence, now kindly go to hell.

A big thanks to all that chimed in - I will be replacing the plugs tommorow.
leading plugs are on the bottom... the oil pan side.. trailing are on the top... and a photo....

beers
Attached Thumbnails replacing plugs myself - how do i know which is leading vs trailing-dscf2300-large-medium-.jpg  
Old 10-24-2009, 03:08 PM
  #12  
Sprout
 
Sprout's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Central PA
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'm learning too

Originally Posted by RoXanneBlack8
maybe its just me but if u dont kno leading from trailing you shouldnt be working on this car
I posted the same question. Excuse us novices for trying to learn. Isn't that what this forum is for? Gheesh. Sprout
Old 10-24-2009, 03:22 PM
  #13  
Registered
 
shazy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Montreal,QC
Posts: 2,256
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Edited.
Didn't see the dates.

Last edited by shazy; 10-24-2009 at 05:48 PM.
Old 10-24-2009, 03:31 PM
  #14  
Metatron
iTrader: (1)
 
StealthTL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: A Pacific Island.
Posts: 7,282
Received 174 Likes on 131 Posts
Mr. Sprout -

You are getting upset at a three year old post, check the dates.....

S
Old 10-24-2009, 08:32 PM
  #15  
Sprout
 
Sprout's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Central PA
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sorry - Didn't check the post dates. Frustrated by the lack of help locally in central PA and got cranky. So...technically, what's the difference between the lead and trail? Ms. Sprout
Old 10-24-2009, 08:42 PM
  #16  
Aussie
iTrader: (1)
 
2SeeKU's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 297
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by otherside
Yeah, stupid statement for sure...The easiest way to remember trailing and leading is L=lower plugs and T=top plugs and it is really very easy.
That's how l do it :-)
Old 10-24-2009, 08:49 PM
  #17  
NO A/C :(
 
bhop's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Posts: 656
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Helpful and funny thread sort of.
Old 10-24-2009, 08:53 PM
  #18  
Sprout
 
Sprout's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Central PA
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you very much for responding, and for ignoring my idiocy of responding negatively to a 3-year old post. Oops. So I see the L and T under there - swapping them should be very easy, but NAPA gave me 4 Ts. I'm just wondering what the difference is for the leaders. The physical geometry looks the same. Is it the gap or what?
Old 10-24-2009, 11:04 PM
  #19  
Registered
 
ken-x8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 5,027
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
While the outsides look the same, leading and trailing plugs have very different electrode types. If NAPA sold you four T's, go back and make them swap two of them for L's. T's are just wrong in the L position.

Don't worry about responding to an old post. It means you searched, which should earn you instant respect.

Ken
Old 10-25-2009, 08:54 PM
  #20  
zoom fuckin zoom
 
newguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: PA, USA
Posts: 386
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I found a good link in the DIY section here, this pic got me through my first coils/wires/plugs change(pic attached) btw rear plugs gotten from underneath front plugs got by removing front tire and the little rubber splash guard for easy access.
Attached Thumbnails replacing plugs myself - how do i know which is leading vs trailing-coil.jpg  
Old 10-26-2009, 07:24 AM
  #21  
Sprout
 
Sprout's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Central PA
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for the info ken x-8. newguy - that pic is highly useful. Gracias!
Old 10-26-2009, 08:42 AM
  #22  
Registered
 
Rodlucci's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by newguy
I found a good link in the DIY section here, this pic got me through my first coils/wires/plugs change(pic attached) btw rear plugs gotten from underneath front plugs got by removing front tire and the little rubber splash guard for easy access.
Did mine this weekend using this same format and it was very straight forward (plugs, wires and coils). Slow and easy doing one at a time is how I did it. I am surprised mine was still running after looking at each plug. Looked like melted cheeze on each one and the prong was 1/3 burned away. I thought it was running great, but I have noticed that I have better throttle and low end response now.
Old 10-26-2009, 12:51 PM
  #23  
Registered
 
Old Rotor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Northern California
Posts: 2,196
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Rodlucci
Did mine this weekend using this same format and it was very straight forward (plugs, wires and coils). Slow and easy doing one at a time is how I did it. I am surprised mine was still running after looking at each plug. Looked like melted cheeze on each one and the prong was 1/3 burned away. I thought it was running great, but I have noticed that I have better throttle and low end response now.
Can you show us a pic? How many miles and were they ever threw a flooding.
Old 10-26-2009, 01:17 PM
  #24  
zoom fuckin zoom
 
newguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: PA, USA
Posts: 386
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
from svc records in glove, Mine had iridiums installed by dealer at 35k mi after previous lady owner flooded it and couldnt restart, de-carb done as well. I changed mine (w/iridium) last weekend at 62k b/c of a bad coil, left it stranded at my job and I flooded it while trying to possibly baby it home, also got my cat glowing red hot (but its ok) from dumping gas into it from the rear rotor not sparking (coil).

Front plugs looked ok light brown build up, rear plugs looked blackish sludgy build up from flooding I guess. center and ground electrodes looked ok, full size still. BTW Amazon has a good deal on NGK Iridiums for $16 each T and L. Im gonna pick up on another set while theyre in stock.
Old 10-26-2009, 02:07 PM
  #25  
Registered
 
Rodlucci's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Old Rotor
Can you show us a pic? How many miles and were they ever threw a flooding.
I went way over the recommended miles before replacing them.......I bought the car new with 15 miles on it and the plugs were replaced @ 8,500 miles along with the starter and battery for the reflash recall a few years ago. My car has never been flooded and has never not started. I never shut it off until the temp gets off the "C" and I burn 93 octane along with I use 5W20 Castrol, a Mazda oil filter with 3,000 miles in-between changes. I drive my car mostly on the inter-state or on highways. Yes, I have changed my oil twice in 30 days sometimes.

My car has 67,000 miles on it, so I drove 58,500 or so miles on a set of plugs. I actually thought my car had close to 30k on it when they were replace during the recall. I know I should have been paying more attention, but I didn't and I will change them at 97,000 next time. I did the coils and the wires, because it made sense to do it before I had any trouble. I had no corrosion on the coils either.

Tell me what you see? From right to left in the first picture is Leading, Trailing, Leading and then Trailing
Attached Thumbnails replacing plugs myself - how do i know which is leading vs trailing-img_2126-copy.jpg   replacing plugs myself - how do i know which is leading vs trailing-img_2129-copy.jpg  

Last edited by Rodlucci; 10-26-2009 at 02:28 PM.


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: replacing plugs myself - how do i know which is leading vs trailing



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:31 PM.