Spark plugs....what can you tell me? (pics) - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

xtremeskier97 · 02-09-2008, 03:34 PM

These are pics of my plugs...can you'll tell me if it looks like the car is running too lean or rich? Not sure how to tell really. One of the plugs has some oil...I know..have to fix that later (money tight right now)..but is all the white buildup normal? Pics in order from left to right looking at the engine. Thanks guys!

Bear95 · 02-09-2008, 04:20 PM

What kind of plugs are you running (vendor name and #)?
Bear

xtremeskier97 · 02-09-2008, 05:13 PM

They are NGK ...not sure of the model#..didnt look.

Why you ask? They were in there since I got the car from my dad...who had just got it back from my step-bro.

***toyomoho*** · 02-09-2008, 06:08 PM

Plugs on modern cars tend to have this white appearance. All the cylinder plugs should be consistent in appearance; if one has oil it that cylinder may have a problem.

A Google search should turn up photos of plugs and any condition linked to its appearance.

bigbird · 02-09-2008, 06:32 PM

if anything id say a little rich.

xtremeskier97 · 02-09-2008, 06:46 PM

How would I go about leaning it out?

rusty9 · 02-09-2008, 07:26 PM

it is too lean or too hot, youd have black buildup if it was rich.

Common causes for this are:

Incorrect spark plug (too hot heat range).
Low octane fuel.
Timing is not set properly.
Cooling problems, (dirty cylinder fins, no or low water if water cooled, low or no engine oil).
Carburetor air/fuel mixture is too lean (too much air).
Leaking crankshaft seals, no oil, base or head gasket

Bear95 · 02-09-2008, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rusty9

it is too lean or too hot, youd have black buildup if it was rich.

Common causes for this are:

Incorrect spark plug (too hot heat range).
Low octane fuel.
Timing is not set properly.
Cooling problems, (dirty cylinder fins, no or low water if water cooled, low or no engine oil).
Carburetor air/fuel mixture is too lean (too much air).
Leaking crankshaft seals, no oil, base or head gasket

The above reference to incorrect plug is why I asked. @ 330,000 I suspect that you are burning some oil. Correct plug is NGK BKR6EP11 or Denso PK20R11. I prefer NGK because of their low resistance.
Bear

***Eye8Pussies*** · 02-09-2008, 08:07 PM

^ same

the white is because the plugs are running too hot

xtremeskier97 · 02-09-2008, 09:18 PM

hmm..ill have to pull one tomorrow and check on that model #. I just pull them out and clean/regap at every oil change until I need to replace them.

I do leak a little oil...but that will be fixed when I replace the timing belt...at which time I will make sure the timing is correct.

Ill post back when I get that number. Thanks guys!

Bear95 · 02-10-2008, 09:46 AM

You should NOT be removing your plugs every time you change the oil. If you are having to doing this, something is wrong!
Buy you some new plugs ( correct ones are about $7.00 each) and leave them alone. This is alot cheaper that messing up your cyl head threads by removing your plugs every time you change your oil.
Bear

xtremeskier97 · 02-10-2008, 12:24 PM

uhh...theres nothing wrong with cleaning off the sparkplugs and re-gaping them with every oil change. I know how to take spark plugs out and put them back in.

I will check today to make sure the right ones are in there.

CamrySExxx · 02-10-2008, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bear95

You should NOT be removing your plugs every time you change the oil. If you are having to doing this, something is wrong!
Buy you some new plugs ( correct ones are about $7.00 each) and leave them alone. This is alot cheaper that messing up your cyl head threads by removing your plugs every time you change your oil.
Bear

He isnt removing them because they are a problem. He is jsut cleaning them off and what not. I see no problem with that.

xtremeskier97 · 02-10-2008, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamrySExxx

He isnt removing them because they are a problem. He is jsut cleaning them off and what not. I see no problem with that.

Exactly.

Bear95 · 02-10-2008, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamrySExxx

He isnt removing them because they are a problem. He is jsut cleaning them off and what not. I see no problem with that.

Well the main PROBLEM is that you are dealing with an alloy head. According to the Toyota Factory Manual, the plugs are to be replaced every 60,000 miles. Why would anyone want to take out the plugs every 3000 miles? Please post back when a plug pops out of the hole.
Bear