- Jun 19, 2008
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Spark plugs provide a bird’s eye view as to what is going on inside the engine and combustion chamber. Usually, the number 1 plug in the firing order is the best plug used to aid in diagnosing conditions. Spark plug changing intervals vary, so check with your engine and or plug manufacturers for specific miles or hours to change them out. Here are some examples of conditions to look for in a spark plug.
Normal- Brown to Grayish tip and slight electrode wear. Can be cleaned and regapped.
Carbon Deposits- Dry black fluffy soot. Indicates a rich mixture, poor ignition, excessive idling, or bad air filter. Can be cleaned.
Oil Deposits- Oily wet black deposits. Caused by oil leaking past rings, excessive clearance between valve guides and stems, or worn bearings. Can be cleaned.
Overheating- Blistered white or light gray insulator with blueish burnt electrodes. Caused by overheating, incorrect timing, or lean mixture. Replace plug.
Ash Deposits- Light brown to white deposits covering the tip and or electrode. Caused by fuel additives or oil entering chamber. Can be cleaned.
Detonation- Melted electrodes or blistered insulator. Metallica deposits indicate engine damage. Incorrect timing, lean mixture, burnt valves, or engine overheating. Replace plug.
Worn- Severely eroded and worn electrodes. Indicates normal wear. Replace plug.
Spark plugs provide a bird’s eye view as to what is going on inside the engine and combustion chamber. Usually, the number 1 plug in the firing order is the best plug used to aid in diagnosing conditions. Spark plug changing intervals vary, so check with your engine and or plug manufacturers for specific miles or hours to change them out. Here are some examples of conditions to look for in a spark plug.
Normal- Brown to Grayish tip and slight electrode wear. Can be cleaned and regapped.
Carbon Deposits- Dry black fluffy soot. Indicates a rich mixture, poor ignition, excessive idling, or bad air filter. Can be cleaned.
Oil Deposits- Oily wet black deposits. Caused by oil leaking past rings, excessive clearance between valve guides and stems, or worn bearings. Can be cleaned.
Overheating- Blistered white or light gray insulator with blueish burnt electrodes. Caused by overheating, incorrect timing, or lean mixture. Replace plug.
Ash Deposits- Light brown to white deposits covering the tip and or electrode. Caused by fuel additives or oil entering chamber. Can be cleaned.
Detonation- Melted electrodes or blistered insulator. Metallica deposits indicate engine damage. Incorrect timing, lean mixture, burnt valves, or engine overheating. Replace plug.
Worn- Severely eroded and worn electrodes. Indicates normal wear. Replace plug.