I changed my Jeep's spark plugs by myself for the first time today!!

Haha, I know all of you are probably laughing at me, but this was my first step in learning how to take care of my own Jeep

However, when I was putting the wire back on to the newly installed spark plugs, I ripped one of the rubber tubes at the end of the spark plug wire.

After I was done with that, I let the engine idle for a while... and it seemed okay. But I am scared of driving it to highway

Is it okay? or should I replace the wire immediately?

 

If it was just the boot I wouldn't worry too much about it. You could probably get away with running it for a while until you can get a new one.

 

If it is running okay, it will be fine to drive it to buy a new plug wire.

Did you use a little dielectric grease? I rub a little on the spark plug insulator and also
use a q-tip and brush a little inside of the spark plug wire on both ends.

 

Thanks for the input!

I will change them out as soon as I can.

The grease is a great idea! I have not thought about that!

Grease won't mess with electric signals though right?

 

Congrats on the change.. We all had to start somewhere.

 

Good Job! Change Those wires one at a time so as not to mix them up!

 

Congrats!

 

Just make sure to buy dielectric grease. It's made specifically for electrical applications so it won't interfere with electrical current flow.

 

Changing my spark plugs was the first thing I tried for myself on my jeep too! I like to also change my wires and my distributor rotor when I do the plugs. Just as easy, and keeps it running smooth!

The grease you use on electrical connections is called "dielectric grease" and can be found at most hardware or auto parts stores. It is way different from chassis or axle, etc. grease! Unfortunately it's still not edible. One day, though, I hope they'll manage to make jeep fluids tasty and nutritious.

Fair warning: after I did my plugs for the first time, I then changed my oil/filter, then did my fuel filter and differential fluids, then I yanked off my valve cover and re-did my whole CCV system with new tubes, grommets, and finished it off with a coat of hot rod green hi-temp paint. Etc, etc, etc. Most recently I'm waiting on delivery of new front hubs, U joints, and brakes! Point is, once you start down that road, it opens a whole can of worms. Sometimes I swear at my jeep but sometimes it gives me such a HUGE sense of accomplishment and pride! I've saved bazillions of dollars in labor and learned a TON, especially from all the awesome folk on Cherokee Forum! Plus you get to see way bigger numbers on your odometer than you're used to... mines purring along nicely at 194K!

 

Oh no... The Jeep disease has captured another victim... lol

But I agree with the above post; go buy some hand cleaner from AutoZone. You're gonna need it lol. It starts with routine maintenance, then it goes to more involved maintenance (water pump, power steering, etc.), then you think "Well... the suspension seems just a bit loose.." and that turns into an eventual lift (this is where I am now). Then you get as far along as FrankZ and toss a big 300 hp V8 into your XJ. After that... I dont know what else is out there. We call this unknown area... The Jeep Zone...

 

That's cool man, I remember when I changed the oil in my jeep for the first time lol

 

Change the wires every time you change the plugs, it's just cheap insurance. I would take care of your torn boot proble ASAP, you can damage the catalytic converter pretty quickly by driving around with a cylinder not firing and loading the converter up with raw fuel.