Since it was new, my 2002 LS Sport (2.2 ECOTEC) has gone through spark plugs about every 10k-12k miles.

Background:

The problem manifests itself as a loss of power and misfire when the engine is under load at RPMs under 2000. Load can be engaging the clutch, or having the AC turned on. Fuel economy gradually drops from around 33 MPG on average to about 18 on average.

Early in the car's life the check engine light would come on, sometimes flashing, however it saves no codes.

The first time I dealt with this, I took it to the dealer from which I bought the car. They kept it for a week and finally decided it was the fuel filter, so they replaced it. It had no effect. I took it back, they kept it for a week, and told me it was bad gas, even though I had run several tanks through and the problem persisted for months. They referred me to another dealer, which is supposedly the best diagnostician in town.

They kept the car for three weeks, before they decided it was a software update that it needed. So they applied the software update and I took it home. Same problem, no change. So I took it back and they kept it for three more weeks (this is 7 weeks in total without the car by then) and they finally decided that the car was designed to run that way, and that the solution was not to ever let the car drop under 2,000 RPM, and never run the AC when idling. They attribute the poor fuel economy to bad gas. The GM district service manager actually had the 'nads to back them up on that. Right. My mother's GMC Envoy gets better mileage, and she has a lead foot. The bottom line, the service manager told me, is that if there are no codes saved, the car is fine--no matter how badly it drives.

So I took matters into my own hands I pulled the spark plugs and lo and behold, they were worn out. Not cracked, fouled, glazed, or anything unusual--just looks like normal wear and tear. I called the dealer and told them and they apologized profusely and I went on my merry way until the next 12,000 miles came around and the plugs wore out--and another--and the warranty is out and GM doesn't want anything to do with me.

What gives? What could be causing them to wear like this? Every other car I've had I've used 99 cent Autolites and had no problems. This thing burns through these supposed 100,000 mile AC platinum plugs like they are made out of crepe paper. I tried Autolite Platinum. I tried Bosch Platinum +4s. Now it's got OEM Delco Platinums from the dealer. Same results, they all wear out fast.

Any advice would surely be appreciated. GM is at a loss and now that it's out of warranty they want me to pay big bucks so they can tell me the 18 MPG is all in my head. I've had it.

So are u saying that the autolites are solving the problem, and the AC delco plugs are not?


Ryan1

Where did you get ac delco platinum plugs for an ecotec at? Even on the ac delco website they only make irriduim plugs for our engines.


"big boom big boom"-Adam Savage. "quack damn you"-Jamie Hyneman "mythbusters"

Ryan: No, it doesn't matter what kind of plug, they all wear out in 10-12k miles.

redrider02: I said Platinum but I meant Iridium. The stock 100,000 mile plugs.

Your story reminded when I drove an antique 1959 Chevy Apache pickup with stock

12V ignition system...

In order to drive it one day when the coil went bad, I temporarily installed an old

Delco 6V coil that I happened to still have...

After only about 20 miles, that 6V coil burned up sparkplugs and cooked the

ignition points...

Maybe you should get the coil packs tested ????