The dealer told me that the spark plugs on my MCS don't need to be replaced until 100K miles. I'm at 92K, so figured I'd get the jump on it and put in a set of NGK Laser Iridiums today as well as an oil change (at about an 8K interval.) Took the car for a spin to make sure I'd got everything put together correctly, and it just runs great. It's got its pep back, and the little hesitation I've been feeling coming out of first is gone entirely.

I've now read that the recommended interval is 60K, not 100K. Did that change, or was my dealer wrong?

The old plugs had some carbon fouling on them, which I expect is caused by poor firing, having let the plugs go beyond a reasonable lifespan.

So, there you are, kids. Be sure to change those plugs! Next up, cleaning that pesky carbon build-up.

 

Why people think that an electrode that fires over 5000 a second will last for 100K miles is beyond me.
Good catch; glad to hear the hesitation due to fouled plugs is gone.

- Erik

 

Depending on how you drive your car it can be as short as 10k miles. If you are daily driving and not racing around 40k to 50k should be fine.

 

Your dealer is wrong. In the 2007 maintenance manual, it says to change the spark plugs at 60k for MCS and 100k for the MC.

However, I've read that MINI now recommends the spark plugs to be changed a lot earlier. I belive it's 30K for MCS and 60K for MC.

 

I had spark plugs in a 2.7L Chrysler V6 that didn't ask for changing until 100k miles and there were really no visible damage on those when I replaced them.

 

Might be a lame question, but are there any "special" tools that minis require to change out spark plugs?

 

Yes you need a thin-wall 12 point socket! I got mine on eBay for about $12.

Something like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Min...1c93c2&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-Cooper-...7e3df9&vxp=mtr


Very easy to change, mine in the base model Cooper (non-turbo) looked worn at 50k miles.

 

My other car can burn thru plugs in a matter of 3k miles, it all depends on how your tune is how you run it and other minor variables weather and the plugs heat range. For the price of the plugs you would be silly to let it sit for 100k, glad to see its running better

 

I bought mine at sears for less than $5.

 

Thanks!

 

Have the intake ports/valves cleaned and all* the pep will return.

 

^ is that something I can do at home or easier to have the shop do it?

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-build-up.html

That is how you can do it yourself.

 

Using a brush you can get most of it off as i tried, but the walnut blast is the only way to bring it back to new. Then again if you have the right brushes you may be able to clean it completely.