Checking for thoughts on the condition of my plugs? Changed at 117,000 mi., along with cleaning the maf and tb. Unfortunately, I did not mark the related cylinder location they were pulled from.
Spark plugs
- Thread starter Drogon
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2001LC
SILVER Star
Did some feel loose?
- Thread starter
- #3
They all felt tight, but not overly tight.
2001LC
SILVER Star
Two of your plugs appear as if they were loose, allowing gases to escaped.
Or
You may have some spark plug tube seals leaking.
Or
You may have some spark plug tube seals leaking.
- Thread starter
- #6
Was not having any problems, just taking care of the maintenance. I rarely do my own wrenching, so just wanted to make sure these plugs looked normal compaired to what everyone else was seeing, and if there was any concerns.
Would there be another possibility that the sparkplug tube gaskets in the valve cover are leaking causing that staining?
2001LC
SILVER Star
That is what I meant by "spark plug tube seals leak".
or
Carelessness getting oil on plugs when installing, then residue burns off staining.
or
One other possibility is bad plug leaking at the porcelain leaving striation.
or
Carelessness getting oil on plugs when installing, then residue burns off staining.
or
One other possibility is bad plug leaking at the porcelain leaving striation.
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I see corona staining on several plugs.
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Ok Paddo interesting terminology thanks for spark plug tech 101- I had to look up what Corona staining was: http://fme-cat.com/LiveDocs/1518.pdf
Would appear that maybe there are two separate conditions occurring? Orange circled plug is evidence of Corona staining? And the Red circled plug appears to be build up from something else.
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How do your coil packs look for those corresponding plugs?
- Thread starter
- #12
The two plugs circled in PADDO's pic were the 2nd and 3rd plugs in on the drivers side. Only one of my coil packs looked odd, posted a pick below. Seemed to have a thin coating of oil near the end of the coil pack.
I’d hazard a guess there was a small amount of oil present around the fourth, red circled plug and its left a lot more evidence as it’s been carbonized and cooked by coronal discharge. Studying HV and EHV engineering you’d see some pretty interesting things testing insulators and gear up to potentials of 1200kV. Balls of floating plasma and such.
Check the spark plug tube gaskets. They are on the underside of your valve covers (don't do this if you aren't prepared to do the valve cover gasket job - because you have to replace it then). I just did mine and two of my tubes were getting oil down there. The gasket was no longer rubber but brittle hard plastic and leaking oil onto the spark plugs. I recommend getting OEM instead of the blue aftermarket. Much better fit.
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- #15
Thanks for the input and advice everyone. I will check the valve cover gaskets and spark plug tube gaskets.
Since we’re on the topic of "spark plugs", who is using anti seize on the plugs (which type: copper or aluminum)? Or none, or something else and why. Whats is the consensus? I don't generally use it, but was curious what others do.
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I've always dipping a gloved finger into a fresh quart of engine oil and rubbed it on the threads. That has helped prevent any seizing and allowed for easy removal when it comes time to change or inspect them.
I've always used WD-40, spray on the old plugs before taking them out, spray onto the spark plug holes before putting the new plugs in, never had a problem.
- Thread starter
- #19
I put mine in dry.
