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Spark plug condition

Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:21 am
by capriagain
I have just taken all my spark plugs out (2.8i) to check and give them a clean, and three were black and oily and three were ok. One on one side and two on the other. I have had the mixture set up at a garage on Friday and after cleaning the plugs the car runs better. I was wondering what is causing them to get a bit damp/oily and what is the easiest process of elimination to cure the problem?
Many thanks.

Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 9:51 pm
by Coops
piston rings,
valve guide seals,

Spark plug condition

Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 10:17 pm
by capriagain
Thanks for the reply. I have another post in the engine section which is related to this and the reply says the same thing "rings". I plan to do a compression test to see if it shows up how bad the problem is.
Would using a hotter plug help to burn some of the oilly deposits off the electode?

Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 12:09 pm
by Coops
not being funny,
wots the point in trying to mask the problem by using say hotter plugs,
I have been here many times in my early days of cars and found it only helps for a while then you end up with bigger problems, and you end up breaking down middle of nowhere no phone and its freezing (previous experiance)
try and solve the problem and have a troble free engine, dont forget the mot will fail on hydrocarbons and the plugs may not help cure this,

Spark plug condition

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 9:06 pm
by capriagain
Thats why i use this forum,'cause i dont know a great deal about engines and i have to ask all you guy's for advice. I just thought that if the engine turns out not to be as bad as expected, putting hotter plugs in might help to make them last longer without fouling up. As it happens only one out of the six is oiling up. I was'nt trying to mask the problem just thought it was an easier and cheaper route than a strip down and rebuild. Obviously i was wrong and will take your advive on board. Thanks v8kid.