QuestionI have a 1992 240. How often should I change the spark plugs? Should I also change the spark plug wires, distributor cap & rotor at the same time?
On a recent 500 mile trip, the temperature gauge often went into the red until I turned on the heater, then it went down again. I changed the thermostat but that didn't fix the problem. In addition, during the trip, the car lost power on three separate occasions. The car didn't die, but when I tried to give it gas, the car just sat there. Each time, I pulled over, waited a couple of minutes, started the car with no problem and continued my trip. I made it the last 300 miles with no problems, although I could feel some occasional erratic surges of power. I haven't had this problem driving around town, only on the long trip. Any suggestions?
AnswerI usually change my spark plugs/distributor cap/rotor every 30K or so, just because it can't hurt, and they are relatively cheap. Don't forget to change the spark plug wires as well.
That overheating issue sounds like it could be a problem with your catalytic converter. When they start to go bad, or get clogged, they can cause random slow overheats. If you are mechanically inclined, I would litterally take it out and drive the car without it for a while to see if you still get the same issues. Good luck!
