[DeTomaso] more evidence I'm a not much of a mechanic...

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

In a message dated 2/19/10 13 50 34, chrisvkimball at msn.com writes:


> Let the car idle, and while it's running try disconnecting the spark plug 
> wires, one at a time to see if it makes a difference in how the engine 
> runs.  My logic would say every time I disconnect a wire from a firing 
> cylinder, the motor would run a bit rougher.  If I disconnect the wire to the 
> cylinder that isn't firing, it wouldn't make any difference, since that 
> cylinder wasn't firing in the first place.
> 

That is a very effective and oft-used diagnostic technique.   It's a good 
idea to use some sort of very insulated spark plug socket pliers to pull the 
lead off while the engine is running, to ensure you don't get a nasty shock 
if your plug wires are compromised somehow.   You can probably get a set at 
any auto parts store.   

Here's a link for Larry Finch:

http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&as_epq=&as_oq=&as_eq=&num=100&lr=&
as_filetype=&as_sitesearch=&as_qdr=all&as_rights=&as_occt=any&cr=&as_nlo=&
as_nhi=&safe=images&q=spark+plug+boot+plier&um=1&ie=UTF-8&
ei=UQh_S5b3BYv6sQPQ0938Cw&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CB0QrQQwAg

and for the rest of you:

http://tinyurl.com/yh4gfdj

Mike