I changed my oil and spark plugs and now it won't start. The old plugs were seriously worn down on the center electrode, it looked like a sharpened pencil tip.

The color was nice tan with some black carbon here and there.

I put in some used plugs I pulled from the junkyard but the electrodes look new. I put anti-seize compound on the threads could these cause a problem with the car not starting? I can't figure it out. It seems like the car is getting flooded after cranking for a while.

I triple checked the plug wires and T1 and L1 goes to the rotor towards the front of the car and T2 L2 go with the rear rotor. I put the Leading plug wires on the bottom and Trailing on the top. The ignition is sparking with the old plugs but I haven't tested the used plugs I bolted in already.

Does anyone have any suggestions? What could have gone wrong?

Thanks!
Dave

 

Well, changing oil cannot do that, so you can rule that out

However, changing plugs to ones that do not -certified- work could very easily be the problem. Take them out, attach them to the wires, and start the engine. Do they spark ? Probably not....Just go and get a new BUR9EQ for 7.50-a-piece....I would if I lived over there, cause the ******* THINGS COST 30bucks EACH OVER HERE

 

Yea man, just get new plugs. Why would you put used plugs in from a junkyard car?? Who knows how long those things have been sitting there.

 

You should get someone from the states to mail you a few (like 20 or so). They're about 5-6 dollars a piece around here.

 

Ace,
If you need me to send you some, I'd be glad to. LMK.

~Jim

 

Thanks man, I really appreaciate it

However, I already changed my plugs (talk about major damage to spark plugs ), and so my next spark plug change wont be for another 15K km

If I still have the Rex, I'll let you know

 

Don't forget that the Leading and Trailing plug are different plugs...it either won't start, or will run like *** if you screw that up.

And don't be so cheap when it comes to spark plugs, they are cheap, just buy good new ones.

 

Ah, NO

You can swap them just fine and the car will run. Infact its pretty common to use all trailing plugs on built up motors.

Its the spark plug wires that can not be swapped.

 

Yep you're quite right on that one (although its common knowledge ) My plugs were already all 9s, and since Mazda and NGK here in Greece only import BUR9EQ, I -had to- changed all my plugs to 9s (that's what I wanted anyway, due to the slightly increased boost).

 

Were the plugs you got at the junkyard NGKs? You'll find other brands of plugs either will not work even when brand new, or will wear out very quickly.

A year or 2 ago, autozone had NGK plugs marked for 3.99 each. I bought 2 boxes:-))

Might want to check if there's an autozone near you.