Do spark plug leads deteriorate over time?

You bet they do ! . also known as HIGH TENSION LEADS - they dop break down over time and cause excessive resistance

as to replacement -- not sure on exact figure - but every few years

Boc

they can and do, but in my experience, they work or they don't. Had a Nissan Pulsar that use to need one lead (always the same one) changed on a fairly regular basis (i.e several times in the 240K I had it where the other leads never had issues)

Nige.

Yes, they do. I had to change a set on my Jackaroo because they were arcing when the engine was under load (ie. I wouldn't get enough sparks in the right places at the times when I most needed them!). And it certainly pays to shop around!

If you have a multimeter, you can check the resistance of them to see if they actually need replacing (rather than just replacing at regular intervals). Unfortunately I can't remember what the resistance actually should be but perhaps someone else, or a google search, might be able to inform you?

BTW: If you buy from AutObarn, you'll have to specify that you want them for a Landcruiser with a PETROL engine! :)

hi, also the plugs deteriorate as well , the electrode goes high resistance , and the spark can track along the center ceramic insulator.
mark k

Heat deteriates them, if you run gas,they deteriate quicker due to more heat....bottom line is you can check them, make sure if anyone has been in there that none of them are rubbing on the lloy tappet cover, check resistance of them and compare with spec....but if it is going ok, leave it....you will notice a miss when you put the right foot down if they are sus...U r looking at 200 bux for a set aftermarket and 350 toyota roughly....
Andrew

Yes they do break down due to heat, physical damage, ozone and just old age. They can suffer an increase in resistance and the insulation properties deteriorate with age as well. Repco sell a Champion brand of after-market steel core hi-insulation LPG lead set specifically for LPG installations which I personally have found to be very good leads. Also check the dizzy cap where the leads plug in, including the coil lead, for corrosion and any burning caused by high voltage tracking. On re-assembly use silicon grease. Keeps the moisture out and prevents corrosion. Also check the cap internally for burning around the contacts & if the cap material is good just clean the contacts lightly with emery tape. Check the rotor button to make sure it is free to move in the cap and check the rotor for deterioration & clean the end contact if necessary. If I was going to the expense of new leads I would recommend a new cap, new rotor, new plugs, etc. After-market good brands such as Bosch are not all that expensive. Also note that with LPG any electrical will be magnified when compared to running on petrol. Before you do replace anything lift the bonnet on a pitch black night while the engine is running and look for any sparks. The corona glow around the spark plug ceramic insulators is nothing to be concerned about but any visible or audible hi-tension sparks is.

I always remember the time I took my FJ73 for a tune up the 1st time I got it.

When I went to pick it up the old mechanic waved the old leads around and said "it still on its bloody original leads after 20 years and 200000klm"LOL

In '82 I used to use an Allan Smartscope for diagnostics. Could pinpoint the exact lead or plug that was faulty. Replace one item and everything was again smooth as.

Workshop down the road used to say they were wasting $45 for the diagnostics tests. "We do tuneups for $25 plus parts!!". Sure they did. New set of HT leads and 4/6/8 plugs. Cost certainly was greater than diagnostics with one lead or plug AND they most probably threw away some perfectly good parts.

Fact is nowadays nearly everthing is done by computer diagnostics because the "mechanics" don't know anything else.

Malcolm