Have you called Magnecor yet? If so what did they say?
Yes, I did - the conversation went something like this:
Me: I'm having a problem with a set of your 8.5mm wires.
He: I can help you with that - what's the nature of the problem?
Me: They won't stay on the plugs - I've found as many as 4 of 6 vibrated loose in one inspection.
He: Well several things could cause them to come off. Did you use a lot of silicone grease in the boots?
Me: No, none - they were installed dry.
He: Well, then you must have installed them at an angle and bent the connector so it opened up. Have you looked at the connectors?
Me: Yes, I've looked at them - they're perfectly round because I use great care to push them on straight and not force them. In fact, I install the boot just far enough to feel the plug tip and then gently move the ferrule until it slips over the tip of the plug.
He: Well, how old are the wires?
Me: I bought them a year ago and they have 5K miles on them.
He: Well, have they been abused or anything? What condition are they in?
Me: They look just like they did when they came out of the box - no abuse.
He: Hmmm, well something's definitely wrong there.
Me: Yes, I know. Are all spark plug tips the same diameter and are all of your connectors the same diameter?
He: Yes - some plug tips might be slightly different, but they should still fit.
Me: Yes, I know, but they don't. Have you had any other complaints about your wires staying on NGK plugs?
He: Oh no - we've had no complaints at all.
Me: Well, how come I'm having one?
He: Well, our wires are pretty springy and sometimes that can cause a problem.
Me: Yes, I know they're springy and I think that's why they're vibrating off if the tip connectors aren't tight enough - but I'm using the correct wire looms and the only way they'll stay on is if I squeeze the connector to make it smaller.
He: Well, you can do that, but you shouldn't have to.
Me: Yes, I know. So if there's not a problem with NGK plugs and I haven't created a problem with installation and I'm using the correct wire looms, that only leaves the possibility of the wire connector being too large, because there's no positive snap when they slip over the plug tip.
He: Well, there's nothing wrong with our wires - they aren't manufactured as a set so the odds of having 4 come off are pretty long odds.
Me: I understand, but they did, so what can we do to ensure I remain a happy Magnecor customer?
He: Well, you can send them back and if we find anything wrong with them we'll send you a new set.
Me: That would mean I would have to go out and buy another set of wires while you decide if anything was wrong (which you've already told me there couldn't be) and I don't feel like I need to buy another set of wires - I need a set that will stay on my plugs.
He: Well, I'll sell you another set at wholesale ($46 including shipping) and you can return yours and if we find anything wrong with them we'll refund your money.
Me: No, what I said was I don't need to buy another set of wires and if you really don't think you ever produce a set with a problem - and I have a problem, then it would appear to me that I have the wrong brand of wires for my truck - and with that thought in mind, I certainly don't want to own 2 sets of them - even at a discount. If you'd like to send me another set to try at no charge I'll be happy to see if they're any better and if they are, I'll send you back the bad ones and tell everyone how nice you were and how much I like Magnecor wires. If not, I'll try another brand until I find one that works better and I'll tell folks about those.
He: Well, no I can't do that.
Me: Well, then thanks for your time and if the next order doesn't come in, it was me. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
That's about the crux of it.
The Magnecor wires and boots are first quality - but from the first time I installed them I didn't like the lack of positive action on the connector and thought the fit wasn't right. My suspicions have been confirmed (at least to my satisfaction) - I can squeeze the tip and make them fit better - and hopefully resolve the problem - but I won't be buying any more Magnecor wires. I'm not suggesting that anyone else react the same way, but I think I can find another alternative that will work just as well, not cost as much and deliver better service.
As for the question of OE or another brand, OE is nearly always perfectly acceptable (if more expensive than necessary) but nearly any premium brand should work fine.
I do like the cool red color, though - oh - they have nice stickers, too. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Frank
