COPS, Plugs, Procrastination, and Me

[Sealy]

First off, being Scotch/Irish, I have a tendency to drag my feet on anything that involves spending money. That said, a couple of months back I took Merlot out to a club meet. I noticed a very slight miss on acceleration and when increasing speed uphill on the expressway. I wrote it off as first trip, it will clear after a few runs. Took her out to run errands and it persisted. Also, noticed that something was almost imperceptibly not right. She just did not feel like herself. I finally bit the bullet and opened my wallet. Eight Denso COPs, eight Denso iridium TT spark plugs, and an appointment at my local garage. Got her back yesterday with a total bill of $500 ($300 order from Rock Auto, $200 to the garage). Immediate reaction – OMG, why didn’t I do this sooner? Today I did a run from Cottage City up to Laurel - BW Parkway, light traffic, 60 to 70mph. Smooth engine and more power on tap than I ever remember. Moral of the story: If you think it needs be done, do it. Sooner than later. And enjoy.

[428PI]

Bought my car with 100k on her and now has 122k. Not sure when or if they were ever done. Waiting for it to miss. I know they're a smooth engine when running right.

[bsedwebt]

COPS are so easy to do DIY - about an hour and cheap - get them from Amazon for $40 or so for a full set of 8 and a good set of plugs from a local supplier for $25 or so - huge difference. I consider it to be basic maintenance on this engine - NO BIG DEAL for those who worry about the "dreaded" COPS issue.

[wcoates]

How in the name of goodness do we all not buy these for $31.99 to your door.

Heck buy a couple and sell for $4 each at Ron's event. Sure can't hurt to have one or two in the trunk wheel well.
https://www.amazon.com/ECCPP-Ignitio...NDERBIRD+COILS

[RustyFrye]

How in the name of goodness do we all not buy these for $31.99 to your door

Simple!
1. I'm pretty sure mine would need to go under the hood, not to the door
2. The picture they show displays 7 vertical and 1 horizontal. Also pretty sure all 8 need to go same direction

Gee Bill, you really didn't think this out, did you?

[Quickdraw]

Simple!
1. I'm pretty sure mine would need to go under the hood, not to the door
2. The picture they show displays 7 vertical and 1 horizontal. Also pretty sure all 8 need to go same direction

Gee Bill, you really didn't think this out, did you?

Very observant Rusty, one of them IS horizontal but that isn't as much of a problem as the fact that it is so much bigger than the other seven. Obviously meant for a bigger engine.

[Greg S]

We seem to be obsessed with this COPs issue. I have even heard of people not wanting a retro because "the COPs could go bad"! Just replace them all and get it over with.

[007Cruiser]

Bingo! I only care about the cops in my mirror.

[BirdsAndBugs]

We seem to be obsessed with this COPs issue. I have even heard of people not wanting a retro because "the COPs could go bad"! Just replace them all and get it over with.

I've got 2 of these cars. I've had my grey car for 15 years and my inca gold car for 10 years. I've never replaced a single COP yet; although I'm sure I will at some point. No big deal. Just part of the normal maintenance.

[Grimmo]

We seem to be obsessed with this COPs issue. I have even heard of people not wanting a retro because "the COPs could go bad"! Just replace them all and get it over with.

Agree Greg. Having read all the stories about “cop’s”, I was mildly freaked out when my 02 started missing. However, once I dug in and replaced them, the job was was no big deal and the car runs perfect.

[wcoates]

Agree Greg. Having read all the stories about “cop’s”, I was mildly freaked out when my 02 started missing. However, once I dug in and replaced them, the job was was no big deal and the car runs perfect.

Mike what brand COPS did you use?

[Grimmo]

Mike what brand COPS did you use?

Bill, I used “Dragonfire”, the ones with the red main body.