Diagnose these plugs.... again.

[Justin]

My car had been breaking up under boost pretty poorly before I took the turbo off to get upgraded/rebuilt. I thought it was because I was running so rich I may have messed up the plugs. So I replaced them.

I don't think that was the problem...


Take a close look at 3 and 6... The uneven splotchy marks? Then look at 5. The entire thing is black? Even the ceramic.

Anyone have the experience to make an educated guess? Something's definitely not right but I don't know what.


_ Justin

 

[a_sesshoumaru]

that seems kind of normal to me

 

[billwert]

4 and 5 looks like they got a little oil on em or something. Other than that I don't really see anything. Gapped correctly? Are you sure it's spark Plugs?? (causing the problem that is)

 

[IJ.]

#5 has issues in that hole.

Time for a Comp and Leakdown test for starters.

Possible stem seal problem.

 

[WhtMa71]

What gap are you running?

What kind of plugs are they?

How many miles are on them?

Have you checked your coilpacks per tsrm and made sure there are no cracks in them as well?

Have you grounded your coilpacks to with a dedicated ground?

How are your plug wires?

Are your injectors new or have they been flow tested?

#5 looks a little off
(edit: ij beat me)

 

[grimreaper]

what causes the redish color on one plug and on the ceramic part below the electrode?

 

[mkiii222]

what causes the redish color on one plug and on the ceramic part below the electrode?

Possible stem seal problem.

Stem seal problem = oil getting into cylinder, burning off, and leaving gunk on the plug
IIRC it's ~$150 in parts and ~$100 in tools (waiting for cooler weather to do mine and don't feel good about using pvc as a tool when working on a head)

I'd also follow the other suggestions about grounding. (coil pack and ignitor) If nothing else it will give you a stronger spark which would help burn off more of the oil getting on your plugs.

 

[92nsx]

PVC and 10' of 3/8 rope were GREAT tools when I replaced my valve seal back in 2002. It worked like a champ.

 

[IJ.]

Stem seal problem = oil getting into cylinder, burning off, and leaving gunk on the plug
IIRC it's ~$150 in parts and ~$100 in tools (waiting for cooler weather to do mine and don't feel good about using pvc as a tool when working on a head)

I'd also follow the other suggestions about grounding. (coil pack and ignitor) If nothing else it will give you a stronger spark which would help burn off more of the oil getting on your plugs.

222: If it were a ground issue the other 5 would show signs as the coil pack uses a common ground doesn't it? (never owned one so am only guessing here)

 

[Rennat]

yes, there one main wire on the coilpack plate thing... i have one running directly to the battery.

 

[Justin]

I suppose I should have clarified. I am running the mod discovered by tooqwik that utilizes IS300 coil packs.

They are grounded however.


I shall preform a leak down and compression test as soon as I get the turbo back on the car.


Thanks for the help, even though I really dont' like the answers

 

[Justin]

If the problem is stem seals what are all the possible effects of the problem?

ie. if i continue driving on the problem what possible problems could I create?



Not suggesting I would, I'm just trying to broaden my knowledge base. Compression and leak down test results to come soon.

 

[IJ.]

At high boost there may be enough Oil polution to lower the Octane in that cylinder to detonation level then it's all over for either the HG or the Ring Lands.

 

[Justin]

Update:

I finally got all the parts for the turbo in so its up and running now. My studder problem went away and it boosts wonderfully on my 57 trim. Fast and stuff

The only thing other than the turbo that I changed was the plugs.


My compression test yielded 170 +/- 4 psi all across. Pretty good numbers if you ask me.

Leak down test to come.

 

[IJ.]

Could very well have been a dud plug Justin it happens sometimes.

 

[Justin]

Could very well have been a dud plug Justin it happens sometimes.

I hope so, but I have my reservations


We'll see how things go. I'll report back if anything changes.