4.3L spark plug question

[blue2kzr2]

I previously had a 94 Jimmy with a 4.3L CPI engine. It took AC Delco CR43TSM plugs at a suggested 24,000 mile interval.

 

I now have a 2000 S-10 ZR2 with a 4.3L engine. According to GM's CD-based service manual, it takes the same spark plug but only every 100,000 miles. Can I go that long, or should I replace them sooner? I have almost 67,000 on the truck, got it at 62,000 miles.

[orbitron]

You have Platinum Tip spark plugs which are rated to last 100k - take that with a grain of salt; usually the platinum tip is burnt off in the range of 60 - 80K.

 

The Platinum Tip plugs are in model years 96 & up - just have them checked here

in the near future & remember that the "recommended" service intervals as prescribed by GM are based on the driving conditions of the entire country - what applies to you may not apply to a peson in Timbuctu.

[blue2kzr2]

Then why does the GM service info list the same part number for the plugs on my 2000 as I bought for my 94? Autozone does NOT list the same plug for both, but the ones I bought for the 94 are listed for that truck. I'll have to pull one on Mon. and see what number is on it, it'd be cheap insurance to pop new ones in...

[Tex2kZR2]

The most likely answer is because the 94 and 2000 are different engines. Your '94 was CPI your 2000 is SFI.

[blue2kzr2]

I know they're different. GM says they use the same plug but with different service intervals.

 

I'll admit, a copper plug MAY last a while, pulled the originals from a Mitsu. 3.0 V-6 in a 93 Plymouth Acclaim last month, they looked like they had service left in them. Car has 96,000+ miles on it, the rotor was one with a Mitsubishi insignia on it. We've had the car since about 36,000 miles. The rotor had seen better days and the car gained a lot of pep, though it didn't need it, but the plugs were still decent.

 

I digress. Looks like there may have been a bunch of people not getting the right spark plugs installed when getting that service at a dealer, if the service info is wrong. I don't know if I should walk into the parts store and ask for AC Delco CR43TSM plugs or ask for the reccomended AC Delco plugs for a 2000 S-10 with 4.3L when it comes time to replace them.

 

I may be answering myself here, but I think I'll just have to pull a plug and see what's in there now.

[snoman]

You have Platinum Tip spark plugs which are rated to last 100k - take that with a grain of salt; usually the platinum tip is burnt off in the range of 60 - 80K.

 

The Platinum Tip plugs are in model years 96 & up  - just have them checked here

in the near future & remember that the "recommended" service intervals as prescribed by GM are based on the driving conditions of the entire country - what applies to you may not apply to a peson in Timbuctu. 

I put 150,000 miles on a set of Bosch's in a toyota. There is no blankrt rule as it varies with car and useage. Plugs can lose their electrical and thermal properties before they wear down so I would replace them every 40 to 50,000 miles regardless if you what peak performance.

[Jeremy WI]

I would have thought the 2000 would use AC 41-932 platinums

[blue2kzr2]

I think it does. GM's service info is wrong. Wonder what else they screwed up, and how many people got copper-tipped plugs when a dealer changed them when they should have been platinum.