1992-1999 Series I L27 (1992-1994 SE,SLE, SSE) & Series II L36 (1995-1999 SE, SSE, SLE) and common problems for the Series I and II L67 (all supercharged models 92-99) Including Olds 88's, Olds LSS's and Buick Lesabres Please use General Chat for non-mechanical issues, and Performance and Brainstorming for improvements.

Autolites cracking

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Old 05-18-2006, 08:32 AM
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Originally Posted by TheEngineer
Those pictures are all showing the business end of the plug. The cracks I am getting are on the insulator at the top of the plug. Detonation is a possibility though. I wonder if a properly located knock could shock the plug enough to crack the insulator near the wire. That combined with excess heat may do the trick.
Yeah, I understand that it'* the top part of the plug that was cracking. What I was looking for (should've made that clearer) was if the plugs that were cracking looked anything like some of those plugs on the inside...checking both ends. If the ones that are cracking )or any of the others) also show signs or over-heating, preignition, or detonation it might give us another clue.
Old 05-18-2006, 12:51 PM
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it'* been too long since my original request. i hate to pull it out, but...

Old 05-18-2006, 01:49 PM
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Default Re: Autolites cracking

Switch to a different spark plug manufacture and see if it does it again. I have Nology Silverstone spark plugs in my SSEI bonneville and wow are they a difference from the iridiums (NGK TR55IX). The Nology silverstone spark plugs has the highest conductivity then any spark plug in the market because of the silver electrode and the wires are also good too and puts out alot more power then a Taylor wire. Its all in your preference.

Originally Posted by TheEngineer
Has anyone else had problems with Autolite plugs cracking? About a year ago my wife'* Bonneville started having intermittent misses when under load in Overdrive. It progressively got worse until it finally threw a code. I checked that cylinder and the plug was carbon scored from a crack in the insulation. Replaced that plug and all was good. Now it is starting to do it again, exact same symptoms. I have 6 new plugs sitting at home waiting to go in there anyway, so if thats all it is so be it, but would there be a reason these keep cracking?
Old 05-18-2006, 02:07 PM
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Default Re: Autolites cracking

It sounds like a coil is defective and if the spark plugs that are cracking are on the same DIS coil, I would check the coil. Try swapping to a stock coil if you are using aftermarket coils and see if it helps and also switch spark plug manufactures.

Originally Posted by TheEngineer
Has anyone else had problems with Autolite plugs cracking? About a year ago my wife'* Bonneville started having intermittent misses when under load in Overdrive. It progressively got worse until it finally threw a code. I checked that cylinder and the plug was carbon scored from a crack in the insulation. Replaced that plug and all was good. Now it is starting to do it again, exact same symptoms. I have 6 new plugs sitting at home waiting to go in there anyway, so if thats all it is so be it, but would there be a reason these keep cracking?
Old 05-18-2006, 05:29 PM
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Originally Posted by CSFiend
it'* been too long since my original request. i hate to pull it out, but...

LOL, I tried to dig them out but that garbage can has some nasty stuff in it this week. Oil soaked rags, traces of gasoline from a fuel filter, cat litter and yard waste to nake a few...it was a busy week. And of course the plugs migrated clear to the bottom. I couldn't stick my head in there without almost puking, so I had to let them go.

Yeah, I understand that it'* the top part of the plug that was cracking. What I was looking for (should've made that clearer) was if the plugs that were cracking looked anything like some of those plugs on the inside...checking both ends. If the ones that are cracking )or any of the others) also show signs or over-heating, preignition, or detonation it might give us another clue.
7-12 and 7-15 are the closest matches. The crack is there and it is highlighted by a carbon track.
Old 05-18-2006, 05:34 PM
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Default Re: Autolites cracking

Originally Posted by bigbadbonneville
It sounds like a coil is defective and if the spark plugs that are cracking are on the same DIS coil, I would check the coil. Try swapping to a stock coil if you are using aftermarket coils and see if it helps and also switch spark plug manufactures.
I have switched to NGK TR-55'*. 3 different plugs have cracked, all on different cylinders, so if it is a coil problem, it is more than one. All coils are the original stockers.
Old 05-18-2006, 10:27 PM
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Maybe I missed it, but which engine do you have in your car? Do you experience any knock or pinging?
Old 05-19-2006, 07:29 AM
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Archon...he'* NA S2
Old 05-19-2006, 06:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Archon
Maybe I missed it, but which engine do you have in your car? Do you experience any knock or pinging?
I haven't experienced any audible pinging or knocking, but with a scanner hooked up I have seen traces up to 4 and 5* of KR. I was surprised to see that since at the time I thought only L67s were afflicted by stock KR. Turns out I was wrong.
Old 05-19-2006, 09:28 PM
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Are the hills at a high altitude? Were you able to scan the KR while climbing those hills? I really haven't come up with any new ideas other than the heat cracking.


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