Spark plugs....what can you tell me? (pics)

2104 Views 22 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Hajoca, Feb 11, 2008

xtremeskier97

Discussion Starter · Feb 9, 2008

4

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!

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1 - 20 of 23 Posts

Bear95

· #2 · Feb 9, 2008

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

xtremeskier97

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 9, 2008 (Edited)

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

· #4 · Feb 10, 2008

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

· #5 · Feb 10, 2008

if anything id say a little rich.

xtremeskier97

Discussion Starter · #6 · Feb 10, 2008

How would I go about leaning it out?

rusty9

· #7 · Feb 10, 2008

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

· #8 · Feb 10, 2008

rusty9 said:
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

· #9 · Feb 10, 2008

^ same

the white is because the plugs are running too hot

xtremeskier97

Discussion Starter · #10 · Feb 10, 2008

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

· #11 · Feb 10, 2008

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

Discussion Starter · #12 · Feb 10, 2008

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

· #13 · Feb 10, 2008

Bear95 said:
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

Discussion Starter · #14 · Feb 10, 2008

CamrySExxx said:
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

· #15 · Feb 10, 2008 (Edited)

CamrySExxx said:
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

xtremeskier97

Discussion Starter · #16 · Feb 10, 2008 (Edited)

My plugs will not 'pop out of the hole'. I know how to tighten them down properly...and WHEN to tighten them down. This has been done for all of the 333,xxx miles on this car and still no problem.

Thank you for your concern, though.

P.S. Just checked the plugs...they are NGK BKR6E11....not the BKR6EP11. So...wrong plugs put in by step brother? And..would this affect gas mileage at all?

Bear95

· #17 · Feb 10, 2008 (Edited)

xtremeskier97 said:
My plugs will not 'pop out of the hole'. I know how to tighten them down properly...and WHEN to tighten them down. This has been done for all of the 333,xxx miles on this car and still no problem.

Thank you for your concern, though.

P.S. Just checked the plugs...they are NGK BKR6E11....not the BKR6EP11. So...wrong plugs put in by step brother? And..would this affect gas mileage at all?

The BKR6E11 is a traditional plug and not recommended by Toyota. The BKR6EP11 is a Double Platinum plug( good for 60,000 miles) listed as the correct one in the factory manual.
www.sparkplug.com has good information and prices.
I don't know, I bought a Camry because I wanted a car that I could keep the hood closed on except for scheduled maintenance, but to each his own.
Bear

xtremeskier97

Discussion Starter · #18 · Feb 10, 2008

xtremeskier97 said:
..would this affect gas mileage at all?

Bear95

· #19 · Feb 10, 2008

Yes, as burned and worn as the your plugs are, you can expect better MPG and a smoother running engine. One of the first things mentioned in regards to increasing MPG is a good tune-up, clean air filter and proper tire inflation.
If you have not replaced the Dist. cap and rotor lately, get new OEM parts from Toyota, either online or from a dealer. They don't cost much more than the stuff they sell at AutoZone and will last X2.
Bear

xtremeskier97

Discussion Starter · #20 · Feb 10, 2008

Ok...thanks for all the help guys!

I really appreciate it.

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