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02-21-2005, 07:25 PM | #1 |
Mugwump
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3
Location: NY
Posts: 17,475
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Diagnose my spark plugs
Experts, any thoughts on my spark plugs? They're from my E30. Supposidly they were changed 1 year ago.
4 of the plugs look the most like the bottom attachment: pretty good, but with a slight dusty gray coating. But two of them look a bit more like the first two pics, with a bit thicker and uneven layering. According to the haynes manual, it looks like the most like the picture that has the following description: Carbon Deposits: Dry sooty deposits indicate a rich mixture. Check for a clogged air cleaner, high float level, sticky choke, and word ignition points. Use a spark plug with a longer core nose for greater anti-fouling protection. Does that sound right? Is this a big deal and I should be concerned, or fairly normal on a 15 year old car? I can just get new plugs and call it a day. Thanks folks. |
02-21-2005, 07:28 PM | #2 |
Butting in.
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: San Mateo, CA
Posts: 4,553
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Rich running tends to give you darker deposits.
They do look greyer than mine, but not abnormally worn.
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02-21-2005, 07:37 PM | #3 |
Carmudgeon
Join Date: Jul 2004
Carmudgeonly Ride: Invalid Carriage
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 1,932
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Wrong forum, dood! Post this in the right place next time.
Assuming they really were all changed at the same time (no guarentee) looks like there's a bit of excessive crap on those two. One of two things: Either they are worn out or it's carbon deposits. However like RGal said, carbon deposits tend to be gray-black, not light. I do see hints of dark stuff on either side of the air gaps, though that may be due to lighting. Cold Fouling AKA cabon-fouled is caused by an excessively rich air/fuel mixture. If only one or two plugs show evidence of it, sticking valves are the likely cause. |
02-21-2005, 07:44 PM | #4 |
Mugwump
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3
Location: NY
Posts: 17,475
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Thanks folks.
Is the "do nothing and see what happens" approach acceptible here? I'll replace the plugs within a week or two, but other than that... |
02-21-2005, 08:29 PM | #5 | |
•••••••
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: '11 1M
Location: Churzee
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Quote:
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2011 1M |
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02-21-2005, 08:30 PM | #6 |
Carmudgeon
Join Date: Jul 2004
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Location: Bay Area, CA
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LMFAO
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02-21-2005, 08:42 PM | #7 |
Mugwump
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3
Location: NY
Posts: 17,475
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02-21-2005, 09:06 PM | #8 |
Doctor Mudgeon
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,433
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Don't worry about those. They're not immaculate, but they're not alarming. I've seen some spark plugs that would make your heart skip a beat. Just put in a fresh set and enjoy.
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02-21-2005, 09:12 PM | #9 |
Mugwump
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3
Location: NY
Posts: 17,475
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Thanks blee
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02-21-2005, 10:38 PM | #10 |
The old cranky SOB....
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: several cars... way too many....
Location: Near Seattle
Posts: 4,798
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Those look pretty good (in the normal wear-and-tear mode) from what I've taken out of my cars... Non plats that is.
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