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Reading spark plugs?

Old 10-19-2008, 08:09 PM
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Default Reading spark plugs?

Swapped out the plugs hoping to cure an intermittent misfire under odd load conditions. They had around 13,000 on them but look a little strange to me:



Anyone care to give it a shot?
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Old 10-19-2008, 08:29 PM
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Too lean?
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Old 10-19-2008, 08:52 PM
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Agreed, it looks like they're on the lean side. White=lean, black= rich, tan=pretty good air-fuel mix.
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Old 10-19-2008, 09:40 PM
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I'd guess you're having ignition trouble cuz the plugs are not in the car.
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Old 10-19-2008, 09:49 PM
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That's a lotta gap.
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Old 10-19-2008, 10:10 PM
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Originally Posted by patsmx5
That's a lotta gap.
+1 what is the gap measure it
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Old 10-19-2008, 10:23 PM
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.045"

Gapped the new ones at like .035.

Hard to understand why they'd be reading lean with how rich my maps been running..
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Old 10-19-2008, 10:31 PM
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Holy ****. Gap them to .020". 0.045 is more than factory, and your boosting?
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Old 10-19-2008, 10:37 PM
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Originally Posted by patsmx5
Holy ****. Gap them to .020". 0.045 is more than factory, and your boosting?
I wish. My turbo is still sitting on my desk

Whats also a little strange to me.. IIRC when I installed those plugs they were gapped at .030...
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Old 10-19-2008, 10:46 PM
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if you have a caliper, measure the gap tool. I've never found a gap tool that was accurate. They're all machined accurately, then chrome plated with ~.001" of chrome on both sides. So they read ~.002" lower than what the number says. Minimal, but none the less...

My turbo's staring at me too.
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Old 10-19-2008, 11:50 PM
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I don't have a plug gap tool, just a feeler gauge.

Turbos don't do too much good on a desk, eh? :(
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Old 10-20-2008, 12:51 AM
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LOL, turbo sitting on my desk too.

While not as fun as actually boosting, I find it quite therapeutic to sit at my desk and run through the gears whilst producing appropriate turbo sound effects.
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Old 10-20-2008, 02:07 AM
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Originally Posted by MazDilla
LOL, turbo sitting on my desk too.

While not as fun as actually boosting, I find it quite therapeutic to sit at my desk and run through the gears whilst producing appropriate turbo sound effects.


Glad I'm not the only one in OP crazy..

Though, I often find myself driving my Protege down the freeway making crotchrocket noises..
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Old 10-20-2008, 07:20 PM
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the color looks good, but thats a ton of build-up for 13k. is it using any coolant or oil?
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