Spark Plugs - what does the color of the electrode mean?

[ps_outrage]

just changed my spark plugs and found 3 out of 4 electrodes white and one brown. White = over heating? cause I do not have a coolant leak and my temp gauge never gets passed half way plus I have a 180 thermostat installed, can higher octane gas cause this? and or octane boosters?

[MR2Jedi]

Would indicate alittle bit hotter in that cylinder and/or lean fuel mix..
Check this out. Hope it answers your question:

Spark plug diagnosis

[fenixus]

hehe, MR2Jedi i was just about to take a photo of my haynes back page about spark plugs
and then i clicked the link you posted glad you scanned it, it's a good piece of info

[MR2Jedi]

^^

[ps_outrage]

ahh thanks MR2, ok my plugs dont look to bad then lol, there not that crispy white. just a light touch of white on them.

I did change out the plugs to the NGK Laser Iridium part no. 3764, and have noticed better response.

[fenixus]

Originally Posted by ps_outrage

ahh thanks MR2, ok my plugs dont look to bad then lol, there not that crispy white. just a light touch of white on them.

I did change out the plugs to the NGK Laser Iridium part no. 3764, and have noticed better response.

a little white crisp is fine, normal aging, i see same on my 1yr old plugs as well. brownish thing might mean a little overheating. i don't remember if it means running leaner or richer on that one, maybe someone else can clear up.

Iridium-IX (3764) are the best choice both performance and price wise

i'm running now on live long Laser Platinum (3452), but i think they were overpriced a little, however response is great (better than with Bosch Platinum+2 that i tried a year ago, landed in garbage).

while doing tune up you could also get new NGK TE58 wires (those blue ones) over your old factory OEM/Denso wires. don't forget about replacing the fuel and air filters and PCV valve and grommet (get those last 2 items from the dealer only) as well while you doing the minor tune up

good idea is also to replace the radiator pressure cap and fuel tank cap, only from the dealer as well (aftermarket fits are piece of shit in this regard).

when planning to get multiple small items from the dealer you could buy them online, this dealer (in Charlotte, NC) offers good prices and discounted (or sometimes free) shipping:
www.toyotapartsoutlet.com

they also sell 10-pak of OEM/Toyota oil filters ($39.99+s/h), you can't give a better gift to your car than such a nice OEM oil filter i bet she will like that in a long run

[ps_outrage]

Awesome advise fenixus, where can i locally pick up those NGK TE58, autozone seems to not have them. and i will check out the website for OEM parts, i will be buying a new rad. since the last owner decided to use water and rusted out the system. I really hate knowing people use just water and not 50/50 for their cooling solutions. water will cause so much long term damage in the long run.

[73sport]

Here is another I put up a while ago from the makers NGK!

Tune Up, Spark Plug Condition link

Which leads to of all places. . . .

NGK!
http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/tech_su...ad.asp?mode=nm


With all the crap in fuels today its hard to get good plug read. Best you can do it shut it down briskly at the end of solid run to see that when it matters most (under full load) thats its not too lean. Idling and putting about will darken them quickly being light load situations.

I know, easier said than done that's for certain.

The worst case is bright white with balls stuck to them and a new center electrode rounded off. Usually this means to hot of plug and metal transfer from the lean burn melting off the top of your piston! I'M NOT saying you have this. But look at them with 5X optics and see what the naked eye misses.

Use both links as a guide and let us know if you ahve any questions.

[fenixus]

Originally Posted by ps_outrage

Awesome advise fenixus, where can i locally pick up those NGK TE58, autozone seems to not have them. and i will check out the website for OEM parts, i will be buying a new rad. since the last owner decided to use water and rusted out the system. I really hate knowing people use just water and not 50/50 for their cooling solutions. water will cause so much long term damage in the long run.

Advance Auto Parts carries NGK wiresets locally
or you can order them cheap from Amazon @ $31 and free shipping !

Amazon

Amazon

i would suggest getting red Toyota Long Life Coolant concentrate (take 2 gallon bottles) and mix it with only distilled water (no tap water please, that's corrosive).

here is how to flush the system through radiator with distilled water (in 4 drains and refills):
Coolant flush: Do you remove engine block drain plug?
you will have to browse this thread as info is scattered all over it.

hope this helps