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Need advices about spark plug color

Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 11:36 am
by Piv
Hello everyone, one of my customer is a bit scared about the color of his spark plugs after a mapping (DC5 K20A) I would like to know what do you think about So let me know please :wink:

Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 6:06 pm
by sohcd16y8
Looks like those have been in there for quite some time? I wouldnt say they look to bad. I would put a fresh set in and check them after a tank or two for a more accurate long term representation.

Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 8:32 pm
by JaredKaragen
for the most part (aside from old) they look ok... the heat is a little closer to where the strap meets the plug body for my tastes, but other than tat they look ok... I would like to see a new set of plugs; and I'll post up a few pics of the plugs I pulled from my motor yesterday for comparison... they are similar, but not as old as yours..... minor differences

Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 12:41 am
by sohcd16y8
Which picture are you even seeing a clear view of the heat on the strap?

Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 4:02 am
by JaredKaragen
not clear, but close; top and bottom; looks like the heat is getting pretty close to the body of the plug.... from lighter up top to darker...

Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 5:57 am
by butch11a
just curious, what kind of fuel are you using? does the dye in the fuel affect the color of the plugs?

Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 6:45 am
by Piv
butch11a wrote:just curious, what kind of fuel are you using? does the dye in the fuel affect the color of the plugs?
the fuel he's using is Shell V-Power 97 (UK rating). I went back to see the customer last night. We changed the plugs for some NGK BKR8EIX (so slightly colder). After 2h of driving a light film of white dust, which could be removed with the skin of the finger, had deposited on the strap. In the meantime we had altered the fuelling to show the customer that the white stuff wasn't because the car was running lean. thank you for answers.

Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 7:58 am
by RoadXY
sohcd16y8 wrote:Looks like those have been in there for quite some time?
Trying to learn here: How can you tell these plugs are old? :)

Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 10:03 am
by David974
RoadXY wrote:
sohcd16y8 wrote:Looks like those have been in there for quite some time?
Trying to learn here: How can you tell these plugs are old? :)
because the deposits are thick, and it is easier to read plugs with fresh ones

Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 12:49 pm
by sohcd16y8
David974 wrote:
RoadXY wrote:
sohcd16y8 wrote:Looks like those have been in there for quite some time?
Trying to learn here: How can you tell these plugs are old? :)
because the deposits are thick, and it is easier to read plugs with fresh ones
Yep yep

Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 6:22 pm
by xenocron
The deposits are from that V-Power shit, I recommend my customers stay far far away from that gas.

Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 9:02 pm
by pacman
Xenocron nailed it on the head, v-power deposits for sure, see it all the time. Unfortunately v-power is considered one of the better pump fuels in the UK lol

Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 9:04 pm
by JaredKaragen
i fill at the VP station they put in the next town Gilroy =) when boosted, my car loved it and felt happier throttle wise... plugs came out cleaner after 5k miles too.

Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 7:30 am
by Bindegal
And here I thought V-power was supposed to clean the engine, rather than leave even more deposits than regular fuel :) Interesting... I´ll look out for those deposits from our otherwise nice 99 RON octane V-power here in Denmark. Supposedly this should be free from MTBE. /Allan

Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 1:58 pm
by Gaskleppie
Vpower is RON 97 overhere. I never use it. It burnes way too fast for our high performance boosted engines. Its nice for economic cars with advance knock systems but on older cars its a no go!