Spark plug wires popping up like
 

My spark plug wires keep popping up out of the valve cover holes, it's reminding me of that stupid game where the gofers pop up and you've gotta bop them with the hammer. Every time I pop the hood I've gotta push a few of them back down. They stick up maybe half to thre quarters of an inch.

It doesn't seem to affect performance, which is wierd.

Did a search and didn't find anything related to this.

The wires are fresh, so I don't expect this to be due to the wires not seating properly.

Is this a sign of something wrong? Is this something boosted cars deal with? Should I just fab a bracket that holds them down?

-Ryan

What brand?

Depending on their construction, there may be a bit of slack between the top of them and the connection at the plug. If there's enough it could act as a spring and jump the top (is head the proper term?) of the plug boot out of the hole, allowing the wire to remain in contact with the plug.

That's my half-baked theory anyway. Time for COPs? :)

Try disconnecting the wastegate, see if it still happens. In other words, it might be boost sneaking past the plugs.

These are the typical NGKs. Recently replaced. Spark plugs are NGK race plugs from FM which have also recently been installed.

Check to make sure your plugs are still snug and have not backed out. If the plugs are tight, then you really don't have anything to worry about and koto's theory would be the next logical reason.

Im not boosted and this still happens to me. If the car runs fine, just ignore it, its not really a big deal.

I used to have this same problem with my Audi A4... I got mine to stop by busting out the torque wrench and properly torquing all of my spark plugs. Hope it is that easy for you as well.

Try seating the plug wires by putting a large dowel on top and tap them down. I use the handle of a 3/8 ratchet and slam them in with my hand. My experience with NGK wires is that they do not seat completely by just pushing them on.

Old ass thread, but OP did you ever figure this out? Or did you just switch to LS coils at some point. I've had this happen with my NA setup as well. I haven't tried OG's method of tapping the plug wires down and might see if that helps. Mine are new as well.

He sort of switches to LS coils...

I think he also tilted them to the side about 30 degrees.

Hahhaa, I forgot if he was running a rotrex or a v8 swap.

Butttt does anyone have an answer for the original question? I've been kind of surprised when the wires pop out a bit from the head. The first time it happened was a few days after I swapped to new plugs and wires (originals were mix and match I found out) and experienced a CAS issue on a road trip. Misfires abound. I've noticed it happen from time to time since then, but haven't had any misfires. I just couldn't quite figure out why they'd pop out at all.

Could also be that the valve cover gasket is leaking around the plugs and for some reason you have excessive crankcase pressure and no good venting.

Hmm I could see that with the vcg since it was probably what came in the car, but I redid it recently.

How would one determine if there is excessive crank case pressure and/or venting issues?

First indication of over-pressure would be a standard dipstick popping up

I can't imagine how this could be excessive crankcase pressure. If air is leaking out your spark plug tubes, then there's probably oil leaking out too.

Most likely they're creating a seal and you are compressing the air as you push them down the tube. Then as the air heats up it expands, which then pushes the wire up the tube.

Good point. You could try putting one of those spray can extension tubes along side of each as you push them down, and then pull out the tube. Lube the tube before insertion. No pun intended.

Mine use to do this on plug #1. Now it does it on #2 and #1 stays put. I should go torque all the plugs down and see if it cuts it out. #1 was doing it before boost, #2 after, but I had the engine out of the car and mostly appart between those....

I had the same issue with my new spark plugs and new NGK wires. I had to take a small rubber mallet to bang them into the spark plugs at first.
I then took a small dab of dielectric silicon grease and applied to the lip and inner walls of the wire plug's rubber seals, this lets them seat into my spark plugs by hand without needing a mallet.

You don't say.

Sounds like you didn't tighten your plugs enough. Knowing you, it was because you were scared of them. IIRC NGK's have a little diagram on each little box illustrating how to properly tighten them.

My NGK wires work flawlessly, although they require a decent amount of force to click on to the plugs. I have never experienced what you are describing.