i've done a bit of research & know about problems to expect with a 99 5.2 with 130k miles. i am used to changing out the plugs every few months(heck, i can do all 8 in the rain, on the side of the road, with a flashlight at nite in less then 15 minutes) & when my durango developed that telltale 'stutter', i changed all the plugs & yup, no-way-no-how #8 was firing-gunked completely over the tip. brand new autolite platinums & HOWEVER, i STILL have the 'stutter'. i don't think it improved or changed at all. it always would run fine for 5-6- even 8000 miles afterwards. this time, no joy. i rechecked everything, gaps are still good, wires making secure 'snap-on' contacts at both ends, even checked to make sure cylinders are in proper order.
money is a four letter word, as in N-O-N-E. can't really afford to bring to mechanic & just hoping to get another 6 months out of it til a few bucks to replace it are available. any suggestions as to what else i may try/check? no code checker, or compression tester either. assuming we are at the end of our valve stem (as in burned), any idea how long it may run in 'stutter-mode'? how FAR would YOU drive it?

 

Maybe try some regular copper plugs. Change out wires, cap and rotor if it hasn't been done in awhile.

 

These engines HATE platinum plugs. Go with Champion OEM

 

i ain't arguing with you, but PEP boys books calls for the $5.29 super premium double throwdown HIPO platinum....or whatever manny moe & jack calls 'em. any reasons why platinum & mopar don't mix? what is the issue, 'stutter' from the get go, they don't last, don't fire....just asking.

 

No wonder you are broke. Pep Boys is wrong. Go elsewhere if that is what their book is saying as stocker replacements. IMHO, go to Walmart and get 8 Autolite 3923s for less than $1.89 each and you will be fine plugwise.

As for #8 being fouled... there is nothing CLASSIC about that. Not a common issue at large. If YOUR Durango continues to foul JUST #8, I suggest investigating causes further. Plenum failure, head crack, etc.

There should be no reason to change plugs more than annually at a minimum.

Good luck. Post up questions for help/answers.

IndyDurango

 

Pep-Boys are paid to tell you that. It's called a contract and marketing!

OEM are Champion Regular Copper Plugs and they work GREAT. Also let me suggest Champion Truck Plugs. I really don't like the Autolite 3923's but some people like em.


WELCOME TO DODGE AND THERE FINICKY MOTORS.


Also get OEM wires, cap and rotor in brass contacts for a perfect fire. Other than that pull all the **** they sold you out. It don't work!

 

Why don't Platinum work? Don't know the technical answer. What I do know is this forum is filled with complaints from Dodge owners who have tried Platinum and they didn't work. Besides that, they're much more expensive than Champs OEM. Go with what has been working for most of us. Save money too! What a deal.

 

+1 on that Factory!

 

I have used Champion, Autolite, Splitfire platinum in both my 5.9's and the engines run the same with all of them.

 

Your one of the few!