Changing Plug Wires on an 8.1....

[Capt Joe]

Recently on a test run after the Workhorse tech had repaired my brakes for the second time, he noticed a miss in my engine. When he scanned it, he found a miss on the $3 cylinder caused by a burnt plug wire....so that was replaced with another ACDelco wire and all was well.

Drivng home today in 95+ degree weather, my engine felt like it again had a miss in it. After already having the miss caused by the plug wire, I have been wanting to change them out so I think I will do that before doing anything else....and hope that changing all the wires will take care of any problem, real or not.

I have done some searching/reading on iRV2 about changing the wires and have a question.....
Although I have read about climbing under the coach with the tires turned hard right for one side, etc, can the wires be changed as easily if I remove the dog house cover and reach down from above? My cover removes fairly easily and it sure would be much more comfortable working in the air conditioning instead of sweating and slithering around in the nearly 100 degree weather predicted over this weekend.

I have also been reading about the Taylor wires but they are not available anywhere locally. Has anybody had good results with any of the heavy duty ones from NAPA, etc? I have seen some that are silicon and around 10mm with lifetime warranties on the web.

Thanks for any and all help....

[oemtech]

I have done at least ? number and I always do them from under the coach. I can usually change the wires & plugs in less than 30 minutes.

[two2go]

Do a search on related threads about Workhorse plug wires. Some coach models apparently have inadequate airflow cooling around some plugs causing the wires to fail. You should determine if you have a cooling problem first, though I am not aware that your particular Winnie does. Workhorse has a duct kit to improve the flow if there is a problem.
I replaced my wires from the top via the doghouse opening, but Oemy (oemtech in above post) works from below. Depends on the coach mainly.
I got my wires from an on-line supplier. Oemy also sells the top-line Taylors I think.

[Deaop]

Hi,

Get a hold of Oemtech. I got wires and plugs last year from him and it was the best price around. Had the stuff before he got my check. Great guy.

We changed mine through the wheel well. That is my son did as he could fit in there. Mine were not burned but were britle.

Good Luck

Ron

[jdsr]

oemy does sell the taylors and I just changed mine from up top. I think its just personal pref.

[RottenRalph]

Tried changing mine from below but found it much easier to work from above. Yours might be different.

[DriVer]

Having done both (several times), I have found it to be a much more easier process to change the plug wires from under the vehicle.

Be careful if you extend the jacks.

[two2go]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DriVer Having done both (several times), I have found it to be a much more easier process to change the plug wires from under the vehicle.

I hope not to make a career of changing wires and plugs. Hopefully my mod will hold out for a few years. My main reason for hanging face down through the doghouse was (1) January in Colorado and not warm; (2) Coach parked on dirt, rocks, and goathead stickers (ouch); (3) old bod does not like to crawl and squirm on ground under low clearances. [insert face of agony here].

[ninerguru]

Just a head's up. I went with Taylor wires about a month ago. Took a trip this weekend and MH was misfiring. Turns out that working from the dog house, I did not push in all the way the second plug connector from the back in the passenger side. It is a very tight fit with the tube that carries the oil dip stick and I thought I had it in all the way, but I did not. I got under it this afternoon and noticed that connector was loose. Runs like a top again... Lou

[CJBROWN]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninerguru Just a head's up. I went with Taylor wires about a month ago. Took a trip this weekend and MH was misfiring. Turns out that working from the dog house, I did not push in all the way the second plug connector from the back in the passenger side. It is a very tight fit with the tube that carries the oil dip stick and I thought I had it in all the way, but I did not. I got under it this afternoon and noticed that connector was loose. Runs like a top again... Lou

Did the same thing, only from underneath. Drove the darn thing a thousand miles before I found it - thought I had a lifter not pumping up as it would tic at idle. Still got 8mpg towing, with 7 cylinders! The taylor set fit loose on one wire, crimped it a bit with some pliers and it was good to go.

X2 on getting a set of wires and plugs from OEMEY. You can't miss. He's got the heat socks too, although I didn't bother with them, don't have a heating problem under mine.

Get the ECM re-programmed from Brazels while you're at it. Makes a bit of difference for sure. We picked up at least a mile to the gallon, shifts less now too.

[Norm Newhall]

Check with a Workhorse dealer before you do anything. It happened twice on our '07 Winnebago Adventurer. The first time at about 6k miles - WH replaced #3 and #5 wires. The second time was at 12k miles and they replace all wires, the shields, and installed an air flow kit to get some cooling air to the back of the engine compartment. WH picked up the tab for both repairs!