Pics of my spark plugs...what's going on?
06-13-11, 06:37 AM
#1
Pics of my spark plugs...what's going on?
Ok, so I removed all spark plugs one at a time a took (2) pictures of each to show condition.
Just some background information...
for the longest time I "was" getting a PO171 (bank 1 too lean) this is while my car was tuned to relatively lean numbers (I think around or close to low 13). My mechanic said it was one or more of my O2 sensors so I replaced all 4 O2 sensors, changed all 8 spark plugs and replaced my MAF sensor as well while I was at it; CEL and PO171 gone and car was running great. Fast Forward another year (about 1.5 years ago) got my headers installed and got my car re-tuned. A couple of months later got a PO430 (Catalyst inefficiency). So, I replaced my cats with aftermarket ones; CEL and PO 430 went away and car was running great again. Now, just about 2 weeks ago I get a PO330 (bank 1 knock sensor fail); could this be because I am running too lean?
You will see the following pics of my spark plugs; please diagnose for me. It almost looks like I am running too rich if anything!?
I am really confused. The car also eats gas like a PIG!
Please help and let me know what you think. FYI, these are Torque Master spark plugs installed new around 25K miles (2 yrs) ago.
Oh, I almost forgot Bank 1 Cyl 3 spark plugs was VERY loose; why (how) did this happen? There was also another one that was pretty loose; Bank 1 Cyl 5.
Bank 1 Cyl 1
Bank 1 Cyl 3
Just some background information...
for the longest time I "was" getting a PO171 (bank 1 too lean) this is while my car was tuned to relatively lean numbers (I think around or close to low 13). My mechanic said it was one or more of my O2 sensors so I replaced all 4 O2 sensors, changed all 8 spark plugs and replaced my MAF sensor as well while I was at it; CEL and PO171 gone and car was running great. Fast Forward another year (about 1.5 years ago) got my headers installed and got my car re-tuned. A couple of months later got a PO430 (Catalyst inefficiency). So, I replaced my cats with aftermarket ones; CEL and PO 430 went away and car was running great again. Now, just about 2 weeks ago I get a PO330 (bank 1 knock sensor fail); could this be because I am running too lean?
You will see the following pics of my spark plugs; please diagnose for me. It almost looks like I am running too rich if anything!?
I am really confused. The car also eats gas like a PIG! Please help and let me know what you think. FYI, these are Torque Master spark plugs installed new around 25K miles (2 yrs) ago.Oh, I almost forgot Bank 1 Cyl 3 spark plugs was VERY loose; why (how) did this happen? There was also another one that was pretty loose; Bank 1 Cyl 5.
Bank 1 Cyl 1
Bank 1 Cyl 3
Last edited by Rock-a-Lex; 06-13-11 at 06:57 AM.
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06-13-11, 02:54 PM
#8
Wow that is quite a bit of oil the plugs. I does look like your running rich though. It would explain the gas hog. Im thinking maybe the spark plug seals on the valve covers may be bad. I replaced all of mine when I had my valve covers powder coated when I did my motor job. Car had 175k when I did that, but none of the seals looked bad. There not really easy to change.
Also looks like you've got some blow by. Look at the bottom side or your oil cap to see if it looks like you have gritty oil build up & post a pic of that too.
Also looks like you've got some blow by. Look at the bottom side or your oil cap to see if it looks like you have gritty oil build up & post a pic of that too.
Last edited by spdrcr771; 06-13-11 at 03:07 PM.
06-13-11, 09:23 PM
#9
bloody hell man! That's certainly a bad thing.
perhaps this may help:
Looks like you got some oil getting in that bad larry. A good precaution would be a compression test to make sure the piston rings aren't on their way out (4.7L stroker possibly?
), then I'd possibly think about throwing an oil separator/catch can in the PCV line and see if it helps. It's not blown yet, but that 1UZ sucks a lot of CFM and it's not far fetched that it'd draw a bunch of oil into the combustion chamber.
perhaps this may help:
Looks like you got some oil getting in that bad larry. A good precaution would be a compression test to make sure the piston rings aren't on their way out (4.7L stroker possibly?
), then I'd possibly think about throwing an oil separator/catch can in the PCV line and see if it helps. It's not blown yet, but that 1UZ sucks a lot of CFM and it's not far fetched that it'd draw a bunch of oil into the combustion chamber.
06-14-11, 05:31 AM
#10
bloody hell man! That's certainly a bad thing.
perhaps this may help:
Looks like you got some oil getting in that bad larry. A good precaution would be a compression test to make sure the piston rings aren't on their way out (4.7L stroker possibly?), then I'd possibly think about throwing an oil separator/catch can in the PCV line and see if it helps. It's not blown yet, but that 1UZ sucks a lot of CFM and it's not far fetched that it'd draw a bunch of oil into the combustion chamber.
perhaps this may help:
Looks like you got some oil getting in that bad larry. A good precaution would be a compression test to make sure the piston rings aren't on their way out (4.7L stroker possibly?
), then I'd possibly think about throwing an oil separator/catch can in the PCV line and see if it helps. It's not blown yet, but that 1UZ sucks a lot of CFM and it's not far fetched that it'd draw a bunch of oil into the combustion chamber. I know this sounds stupid but lets say if 2 or 3 cylinders come back with poor compression results do you HAVE TO replace all pistons and rings or just those cyclinders? Or is it advisable to do them all in one shot. Also, is this going to be THOUSANDS of dollars for a job like this? Please let me know...thanks!
06-14-11, 05:44 AM
#11
I may get a compression test today. If things come back pretty bad and need new pistons and rings; I WILL GO ALL OUT! I will most likely bring the car to a high performance shop and get everything done at once but not right away; I may have to hold off until Winter or next Spring.
I would probably get high performance pistons/rings, have a couple of other things tweeked, get my supercharger installed and tuned and the tranny beefed up. I estimate close to $8K for all. There's nothing more that I would want than to make my car bulletproof with 400whp with little or no lag. That much power on tap almost instantly (supercharger) when the engine is setup right must be wicked! I am hoping that the pistons and rings are ok though.
I would probably get high performance pistons/rings, have a couple of other things tweeked, get my supercharger installed and tuned and the tranny beefed up. I estimate close to $8K for all. There's nothing more that I would want than to make my car bulletproof with 400whp with little or no lag. That much power on tap almost instantly (supercharger) when the engine is setup right must be wicked! I am hoping that the pistons and rings are ok though.
06-14-11, 06:46 AM
#13
No sense tearing the motor apart to just do 2 pistons and put back 6 that will inevitably go bad at some point, especially with boost coming :P
The shop that does the test should know the spec.
The shop that does the test should know the spec.
06-14-11, 09:22 AM
#14
Perhpas my valve cover gaskets got real bad (recently) and is further leaning out my engine thus causing pre-detonation, leading to a knock, then leading to my knock sensors picking up this knock and eventually failing (well, one of them).
I just called the shop up and I am having the valve cover gaskets replaced as well for good measure.
What do you guys think?
I just want to be done with this. I havn't driven the car for 2 weeks...it's just been sitting in the driveway as I do not feel it is healthy to drive the car when it is riding very bogged down and the CEL is on.
06-14-11, 04:21 PM
#15
1. Comprestion should be in the 108-120 range.
2. Lower comprestion due to worn out rings, letting oil into the combustion chamber, is not going to lean out the car. If anything is going to go rich like 2 stroke motor & burn oil.
3. You said valve cover gasket's, to be changed. Not the problem, spark plug seals inside the valve cover.
4. I would check your PCV valve to make sure its not clogged which could cause this kind of oil problem.
5. I really dont see any evidence, in any of the plugs showing lean. The leaner the hotter,& then you start seeing the ceramic alot whiter & white deposits on the electrode. I see carbon, oil , & a very brown insulator.
When is the last time you had your whole Intake Manifold cleaned. Amsoil makes a 3 part kit. This will help with the carbon. I really dont think you have a major issue here, but, some tests will tell.
2. Lower comprestion due to worn out rings, letting oil into the combustion chamber, is not going to lean out the car. If anything is going to go rich like 2 stroke motor & burn oil.
3. You said valve cover gasket's, to be changed. Not the problem, spark plug seals inside the valve cover.
4. I would check your PCV valve to make sure its not clogged which could cause this kind of oil problem.
5. I really dont see any evidence, in any of the plugs showing lean. The leaner the hotter,& then you start seeing the ceramic alot whiter & white deposits on the electrode. I see carbon, oil , & a very brown insulator.
When is the last time you had your whole Intake Manifold cleaned. Amsoil makes a 3 part kit. This will help with the carbon. I really dont think you have a major issue here, but, some tests will tell.