NA burning oil and fouling plug… hmmm
 

ok, so i changed my oil about 4 weeks ago. i started to hear some tapping from the top end and assumed it was a lifter…. nope, 2 quarts low!!!! WTF! no leaks, no noticeable smoking… the hell?

i changed the plugs, this is what i found…
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1342759549
the nasty one came from cylinder 3. the white specs could be caused by knock, the rest of the plugs looked great. i replaced the plugs with Densos.

a week later i pulled the plugs to check them out, look at cylinder 3 again…
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1342759549


i did a compression check, 180psi across all 4.

the sutty plugs could be a faulty injector, (none of the plugs were oily)
i pulled all four injectors and cleaned them. i put injector 3 in #1 spot to see if the problem follows the injector.

while i have my injectors off, i figured id check the manifold for oil… this is what i found:
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1342759549
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1342759549
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1342759549

and touching the TB blade i get this…
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1342759549



my car is 100% stock minus a cone filter that i installed tonight. i had just replaced the PCV valve with the Densos. all emissions are intact (i assume thats where the sutty black came from the manifold)

i really need to figure out if the plug and the oil are one in the same. i can't have an oil leak/burn killing my octane rating and causing knock when i go FI.

ive just been brain storming here

Do a leak down test...that will reveal ALOT.

Leakdown. I don't even own a compression tester.

Put a leak on dat ----, son.

So I was going through the garage, found the compression tester. Pull the one way valve out and hook it to a compressor... Bam leak down!

Don't tell us the results.

I won't.

EGR delete.

Clean manifold with vacuum line and a can of B-12, or sea foam.

Run it like a raped ape to keep plugs klean, I mean, leak down test for the win.

I want to do the EGR delete but I'd prefer to do it when I get megasquirt.

Need to get a leak down tester. I've got a few friends with shops who will let me borrow. But it's a must right now for sure

Why does that first pic of the fouled plug look like it has more washers on it?

And run ngks you dumbass.

Denso is just fine. i only paid 5$ for the set of platinums, why waste money on good plugs if they're probably going to foul out?

cylinder still gets a little black compared to the others. its not bad. ive cleaned the injectors, installed a new fuel filter, and pug in plug wires after i noticed a little surge when cruising around 3-4k. ill put another couple of tanks through it on new plugs and see what i get.

You still didn't answer the question as to why the original fouled plug seems to have three washers on it? ;)

You're looking at the base of the plug. It has no washer on it at all because it fell off in the hole.