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94 Civic spark plugs: type and socket size
What size socket do I need for the plugs on a 94 Civic EX (D16Z6 engine)?
Also, I notice that the service manual notes two different plugs, one the NGK ZFR5J-11 for "normal" driving, the other the NGK ZFR6J-11 for "hot climates or continuous high-speed driving". My car is used mostly for trips, not a lot of local driving. Does primary driving at highway speeds warrant the 6J plug? Is another brand recommended? I just discovered sparkplugs.com--pretty cool. Anyone bought from them? A listing of plugs for my engine: http://www.sparkplugs.com/results_ap...1&AAIA=1168747 None of these manufacturers means anything to me. It's unlikely that I need "premium" plugs--not a racer--but if the Champion Premium Gold plug is any better than the NGK OEM spec, the price is certainly right. Since the last tune-up on this car was at 97K miles at an unknown date (now at 118K), and since I don;t know whether the plugs were replaced then, I'm thinking it might be a good idea to replace them soon. |
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#2
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Abeness wrote:
> What size socket do I need for the plugs on a 94 Civic EX (D16Z6 engine)? > > Also, I notice that the service manual notes two different plugs, one > the NGK ZFR5J-11 for "normal" driving, the other the NGK ZFR6J-11 for > "hot climates or continuous high-speed driving". My car is used mostly > for trips, not a lot of local driving. Does primary driving at highway > speeds warrant the 6J plug? sure! or maybe not, if your current plugs are already a nice grey color. > > Is another brand recommended? I just discovered sparkplugs.com--pretty > cool. Anyone bought from them? A listing of plugs for my engine: > http://www.sparkplugs.com/results_ap...1&AAIA=1168747 > None of these manufacturers means anything to me. It's unlikely that I > need "premium" plugs--not a racer--but if the Champion Premium Gold plug > is any better than the NGK OEM spec, the price is certainly right. its either NGK, ND, or nothing. > > Since the last tune-up on this car was at 97K miles at an unknown date > (now at 118K), and since I don;t know whether the plugs were replaced > then, I'm thinking it might be a good idea to replace them soon. when in doubt, why not? |
#3
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Abeness > wrote in news
> What size socket do I need for the plugs on a 94 Civic EX (D16Z6 engine)? > > Also, I notice that the service manual notes two different plugs, one > the NGK ZFR5J-11 for "normal" driving, the other the NGK ZFR6J-11 for > "hot climates or continuous high-speed driving". My car is used mostly > for trips, not a lot of local driving. Does primary driving at highway > speeds warrant the 6J plug? If you're spending much of your time at or near 4,000 rpm, you'll need the colder (6) plugs. Otherwise the insulator will overheat and blister. Pull the plugs that are in the car now. If the insulators have some color to them (doesn't matter what color as that's a function of your gas), then you're fine. If they are bright white with tiny bubbles on them, move up a range. > > Is another brand recommended? I just discovered sparkplugs.com--pretty > cool. Anyone bought from them? A listing of plugs for my engine: > http://www.sparkplugs.com/results_ap...1&AAIA=1168747 > None of these manufacturers means anything to me. It's unlikely that I > need "premium" plugs--not a racer--but if the Champion Premium Gold plug > is any better than the NGK OEM spec, the price is certainly right. There are anecdotal reports of poor operation with anything other than NGK or ND plugs, the OEM spec. Personally, I've had unsatisfactory results with the "Splitfires". I don't know if this was just my perception or if the car really did run worse, but I didn't like them. Champion and Autolite are domestic manufacturers. GM and Ford use them. > > Since the last tune-up on this car was at 97K miles at an unknown date > (now at 118K), and since I don;t know whether the plugs were replaced > then, I'm thinking it might be a good idea to replace them soon. > Never a bad idea, that's for sure. You may find little wear on your existing plugs if they're platinums or if the car's spent much of its time at city speeds. -- TeGGeR® The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ www.tegger.com/hondafaq/ |
#4
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TeGGeR® wrote: > Abeness > wrote in news > > >>What size socket do I need for the plugs on a 94 Civic EX (D16Z6 engine)? 5/8" I think. That's what I've been using to install NGK and Denso plugs over the years. I'd also recommend a "locking extension". It's almost essential for installing a plug. It locks onto the socket with a little quick release switch. You can then pull it out and the socket comes out easy. Without one, I was struggling to get the socket out once the plug was tightened since the rubber boot on the plug socket held on the the plug. You might also want to use a torque wrench. <http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?pid=00943355000> "3 pc., quick-release, 3/8 in. drive extension bar set. Great for Spark Plug replacement. Includes 3, 6 and 10 in. quick-release bars." The 6" length is ideal for spark plug tubes. You don't have to get the 3-pc set, but the single 6" picture seemed to be incorrect. >>Also, I notice that the service manual notes two different plugs, one >>the NGK ZFR5J-11 for "normal" driving, the other the NGK ZFR6J-11 for >>"hot climates or continuous high-speed driving". My car is used mostly >>for trips, not a lot of local driving. Does primary driving at highway >>speeds warrant the 6J plug? > > > > > If you're spending much of your time at or near 4,000 rpm, you'll need the > colder (6) plugs. Otherwise the insulator will overheat and blister. > > Pull the plugs that are in the car now. If the insulators have some color > to them (doesn't matter what color as that's a function of your gas), then > you're fine. If they are bright white with tiny bubbles on them, move up a > range. > > > >>Is another brand recommended? I just discovered sparkplugs.com--pretty >>cool. Anyone bought from them? A listing of plugs for my engine: >>http://www.sparkplugs.com/results_ap...1&AAIA=1168747 >>None of these manufacturers means anything to me. It's unlikely that I >>need "premium" plugs--not a racer--but if the Champion Premium Gold plug >>is any better than the NGK OEM spec, the price is certainly right. "Premium" plugs might be useful if you intend on leaving them in longer. They're especially useful in V6 engines where it's a PITA to remove. As the standard plugs are cheap, you might be better off just using standard plugs and changing them every 15K miles. Your owner's manual probably says every 30K miles or two years. The right spark plugs are so easy to find that it wouldn't be worth it to mail order them unless you can get a steep discount on pricey platinum or iridium plugs. The right plugs for your car are about $1.50 to $2.50 each. It wouldn't be worth the shipping costs to save on those. > There are anecdotal reports of poor operation with anything other than NGK > or ND plugs, the OEM spec. Just to clarify - ND stands for Nippondenso. As a "rebranding" strategy they were renamed just Denso in the late 90's. Their part numbers are exactly the same as before. If you're in the US, AutoZone carries Denso. The following says the KJ16CR-L11 plug works in your car. http://www.densoaftermarket.com/onli...& model=CIVIC |
#5
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Thanks, guys. This is all very helpful. Locking extensions are an
interesting idea, will definitely consider it if my (stiff-bearing) extension doesn't cut it. I just discovered quick-release in Craftsman sockets/ratchets--very clever. Thanks also for the tips on what to look for as far as plug state. Tegger, I really don't drive at 4K, maybe just over 3K in 5th gear sometimes--don't really go THAT fast. I do sometimes push it up to 5K before shifting from lower gears, but that's only briefly for the most part. |
#6
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My car recommends also colder plugs for highway/hot climates. The insulator
on my 'normal' plugs changes colour to dark brown. That's after a month driving. Would a colder plug make the burn marks too? "TeGGeR®" > wrote in message ... > Abeness > wrote in news > >> What size socket do I need for the plugs on a 94 Civic EX (D16Z6 engine)? >> >> Also, I notice that the service manual notes two different plugs, one >> the NGK ZFR5J-11 for "normal" driving, the other the NGK ZFR6J-11 for >> "hot climates or continuous high-speed driving". My car is used mostly >> for trips, not a lot of local driving. Does primary driving at highway >> speeds warrant the 6J plug? > > > > If you're spending much of your time at or near 4,000 rpm, you'll need the > colder (6) plugs. Otherwise the insulator will overheat and blister. > > Pull the plugs that are in the car now. If the insulators have some color > to them (doesn't matter what color as that's a function of your gas), then > you're fine. If they are bright white with tiny bubbles on them, move up a > range. > > >> >> Is another brand recommended? I just discovered sparkplugs.com--pretty >> cool. Anyone bought from them? A listing of plugs for my engine: >> http://www.sparkplugs.com/results_ap...1&AAIA=1168747 >> None of these manufacturers means anything to me. It's unlikely that I >> need "premium" plugs--not a racer--but if the Champion Premium Gold plug >> is any better than the NGK OEM spec, the price is certainly right. > > > There are anecdotal reports of poor operation with anything other than NGK > or ND plugs, the OEM spec. > > Personally, I've had unsatisfactory results with the "Splitfires". I don't > know if this was just my perception or if the car really did run worse, > but > I didn't like them. > > Champion and Autolite are domestic manufacturers. GM and Ford use them. > > >> >> Since the last tune-up on this car was at 97K miles at an unknown date >> (now at 118K), and since I don;t know whether the plugs were replaced >> then, I'm thinking it might be a good idea to replace them soon. >> > > > Never a bad idea, that's for sure. You may find little wear on your > existing plugs if they're platinums or if the car's spent much of its time > at city speeds. > > -- > TeGGeR® > > The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ > www.tegger.com/hondafaq/ |
#7
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"Nightdude" > wrote in
: > My car recommends also colder plugs for highway/hot climates. The > insulator on my 'normal' plugs changes colour to dark brown. That's > after a month driving. Would a colder plug make the burn marks too? "Brown" is not burning, it's just deposits. Depending on your gas formulation, some sort of color is expected. By "brown" you probably mean an uneven deep tan with some gray/black mixed in, correct? If you had a bright white insulator with bubbles all over it, then you'd be running too hot. -- TeGGeR® The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ www.tegger.com/hondafaq/ |
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