H3 Done some tune up work today.

[08H3I5]

So I decided to replace my shocks today after 63xxx miles. Being that I'm on a budget I went with a set of Rancho RS5000 shocks, it helps that they are running a rebate too. With my discount at work I got all four for $188.xx plus the $50 rebate that's only $138.xx. Night and day difference in the ride with the t bars cranked up.

I decided to to replace the plugs too while I was cleaning the air filter, now the big question is do these look right?

 

[08H3I5]

I've replaced a lot of plugs in my time under a hood but never seen a set come out orange before. I've seen them black, light brown..... Ect. They ar 41-103 iridium plugs that were gapped at .45 and have about 12k on them. Also they are in order from cylinder 1-5, left to right.

 

[4speedfunk]

Wow. Those are weird looking. However, I've been told by several sources that the art of "reading" plugs was pretty much over about 35 years ago. Once modern fuels dropped the lead, and gas companies started adding more and more additives...that whole deal went away. Plus...fuel injection came along around the same time, and that also makes it impossible to tell anything from plugs. I remember in shop class, learning:

Flat black = rich
White = lean
Silvery = burnt piston
Glossy black = oil burning
Carmel colored = perfect!

Chuck all that out the window...not sure any of it applies to modern motors. I still "read" the plugs on my old Harleys but, they are basically Briggs & Stratton lawn mowers. I think the important thing is that they all look the same. That points to a well-balanced, and nicely wearing motor...regardless of the color. I would be real concerned if only one looked like that.

I say put new plugs in it...run it...forget it.

 

[08H3I5]

Yea that's kinda what I thought too. I gapped a new set at .43 and they are running smooth. My main focus of to do stuff for my mid week weekend was to get the shocks done. I felt like I was driving a pogo stick with the factory shocks.

My next to do is a new set of front brake pads, mine are getting kinda thin. Good thing I work at Oreille's and get a decent discount. Especially since I need to do a cooling system overhaul. I'm running a little hotter than I like, so I'm going to change the water pump, thermostat and fan clutch and add in some Lucas cooling additive while I'm at it. Depending on what I can get it for I might get a radiator while I'm there. Prevention is preferred VS oh **** it just failed lol.

 

[mantracker]

What are the best replacement plugs now for the H3? I Used to use Autolite years ago in everythning I drove.

 

[08H3I5]

What are the best replacement plugs now for the H3? I Used to use Autolite years ago in everythning I drove.

my personal preference is always AC Delco plugs in gm vehicles. I use 41-103 iridium plugs in my hummer. She runs fine with the gap set at .43

 

[Best4x4]

Both my H3's are running Autolite XP Iridium plugs. Zero issues or problems with them. I ran them in all my Jeep's and they outperformed NGK, and Champion plugs. Whatever you use STAY AWAY FROM BOSCH!

 

[08H3I5]

So some more work was completed today on Bubbles...... It was past time to service the transfer case so I figured I'd do it after work. And boy did she need it, that **** came out black a star and thin as water. I did notice it took almost 2 qts to bring it back up to the bottom of the fill plug, is that normal?

 

[deserth3]

So some more work was completed today on Bubbles...... It was past time to service the transfer case so I figured I'd do it after work. And boy did she need it, that **** came out black a star and thin as water. I did notice it took almost 2 qts to bring it back up to the bottom of the fill plug, is that normal?

That's what mine looked liked. Just as long as no metal flakes come out.

 

[alrock]

Capacity is approx. 1.6 quarts, so I'm sure you are fine.

 

[deserth3]

What are the best replacement plugs now for the H3? I Used to use Autolite years ago in everythning I drove.

I learned the hard way to stay with OEM plugs in my H3. Just don't use E3 plugs. They melt down in about 5000 miles. GM High energy ignitions are aparently too much for them.