Why Do My Plugs Look This Bad?

[williaty]

As just a peace of mind thing I swapped plugs as part of my 30k Service. This the first time I've ever seen plugs ouf of a boxer engine, so I don't know what they're supposed to look like. However, compared to the plugs out of my '89 Toyota SR5 V6, these look HORRID. Especially the one that's all oily. The photo also doesn't really show that the ground arch is covered in a fine white powder. Is something wrong with my engine?

[rbwrx]

the whitish grey on the tips means your car is healty. im guessing that bad plug was probly from your hot cylinder.

http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/engine/plugs.html

check that out...it should help

[williaty]

First of all, what's the Hot Cylinder?

Second, the graphics on that page are horrid. It's difficult to compare what I have with what it shows. However, it did lead me to inspect the positive tip and its ceramic surround more closely. The ceramic around the center electrode looks just like the other ones. The tip looks just like the other ones. In fact, the only thing that looks different is the threads.

Could it be that the block was wet and when I removed the plug it spiraled the threads through some oil? How would oil even get in there with the spark plug wire tube/boot thingy sealed onto the block?

Ty

[rbwrx]

First of all, what's the Hot Cylinder?

Second, the graphics on that page are horrid. It's difficult to compare what I have with what it shows. However, it did lead me to inspect the positive tip and its ceramic surround more closely. The ceramic around the center electrode looks just like the other ones. The tip looks just like the other ones. In fact, the only thing that looks different is the threads.

Could it be that the block was wet and when I removed the plug it spiraled the threads through some oil? How would oil even get in there with the spark plug wire tube/boot thingy sealed onto the block?

Ty

oil on the out side part of the plug (the part not in the clyinder) means you have a valve cover gasket leak. on our cars there is a gasket where the spark plug is too on the valve cover. that probly has a leak. you can pick up a new valve cover gasket, the spark plug gasket, and all the little gaskets for the bolts holding the cover down for about 30 dollars. i would recomend replacing eveyrhting on that side if your going to replace one thing.

its a preety easy procedure...same as on every other car...just in a harder to reach spot. it took me about an hour to do one before

[williaty]

Well, with only 30k on the clock, if anything needs replacing, then dealer/SOA is going to be doing it for me. Damned if I'm doing that much work on a car this new.