NGK Iridium Detonation?
 

So, My NGK BKR8EIX plugs have been running flawlessly for about 50k miles or so... Ive never gone that far on any plugs, i usually change them about once a year just for the hell of it.
Anywho... i pulled them to replace them, and was kindof surprised by what i found.
Just looking at the plugs, would you think this chipping on the insulators is just from High mileage on them, or did i maybe get some lower than optimal fuel somewhere and detonate for a little while? The damage seems minimal... but obviously ANY detonation is bad detonation...
From what ive seen in the past, Usually detonating does more damage than this, and ive even seen little metal balls splashed all over them from the awesomeness that had occured.

so, normal high mileage wear??? or did i go boom a few times???

What Dost Thou think???

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1401121029

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1401121029

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1401121029

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1401121029

and, dont mind the rust.... i had the hood off my car, and my tarp covering it had some awesome leaks. Seeped right through the plug wire boot

http://i58.tinypic.com/205phe9.jpg

Look pretty normal to me. It the ceramic chipped, or just the carbon buildup?

I'd send them through the plug cleaner, re-gap and reinstall.

Any changes in your tune?

BTW. I think the iridium plugs are a waste of money I recommend using the normal NGK "R" series plug in the coldest range that doesn't foul in your car.

Good question.... didnt SEEM like carbon, but ill clean them up and make sure. It looked like the outermost layer of the ceramic had chipped. Nothing drastic, but i had never seen that on my plugs before, since i usually change them more frequently.

The current state of the engine is slightly lacking, because ive been focusing on my 1.8build, and doing my MS research... i kinda stopped caring about what i have in there now.... lol

1.6=Fael

Just pulled these out of my ridgeline 105K mi on them, but they look cleaner than your plugs.
Is your engine burning oil?
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1401137762

Nope, no oil loss anywhere other than the little leak on the feed line to my turbo, and the car doesnt smoke or anything. So, nothing substantial really in the oil consumption category

Using any additives or chemical mixes, running rich or lean for any amount of time ? It looks like a bit of crud coating on the porcelain.

They look ok for 50k miles of boosted abuse. They've got a nice solid carbon ring on them indicating a rich mix which is good, and the dark wear mark on the ground strap is right in the middle, which indicates good ignition timing.

I replace my NGK V-power bkr7e plugs yearly because they're $2 a pop and I like to 'read' fresh ones every spring. I run 15psi on stock coils and wires without any issues.

So far:noes:

well, no real additives, aside from Lucas oil stabilizer... but i stopped using that about 25,000 miles ago, when i started using Rotella T6... but that wouldnt mess with the plugs. lol
I was getting gas from a slightly sketchy gas station... because they had 94 octane... but, i started questioning whether it was actually 94 or not... because the price was way too low compared to the sunoco down the street for their 94. AND, my car ran like crap with gas from them. i stopped going there after 3 fillups... but thats about 900 miles of Shitty fuel if thats indeed what the problem was. that COULD be part of the issue, but it was never confirmed, i just stopped going there. lol

Dont feel bad... my car has had this setup for over 120,000 miles.... with stock coils.... and around 20psi usually.... but no less than 17psi ever... lol

do they make the plugs you use in a bkr8e??? 8 is the best heat range ive found for my setup. I only went with the iridiums because all my boost buddies out in Missouri swore by them... but at $36 for 4 of them, i wouldnt mind going cheaper. lol

why are you running a heat range of 8?

you should be running a heat range of 6 on NGKs, 7 at the most.

BKR6E-11 or BKR7E-11, or bust.



but your plugs indicate that you're running too cold a plug and too much fuel...

I had BKR6 plugs at first, and they just seemed to be a little too hot, so i skipped a range. I should probably hop up to 7's, and see how they go then.

1.6L plugs were already too cold from the state. factory 1.8L plugs are heat range 5; you don't really need more than 6-7.

going to 8 obviously is leading to an incomplete burn.

I'd run as hot as I can get away with--in regards to auto-igniting.

Most definitely... Ill try hotter and see how it goes. Ill do that, and then depending on the results, cut back on the fuel. Do you have any strong feelings towards which plugs? just basic copper? The NGK-R's? or is there any benefit at all to having the iridiums? I was just playing follow the leader when i went with them some years back

i dont see any benefits to running expensive plugs.

cheap $1 copper plugs work well.

BKR7E !!

haha. Actually, Ijust ordered these lastnight, and picked them up on the way to work this morning. If they are still too cold, im gonna try 6's again. The 6's seemed to Detonate on me, thats the only reason i drastically jumped to 8's

Terminology. Overheated plugs will cause pre-ignition. Not the same thing, technically, as detonation. Pre-ignition can really get your attention though!

yes... this.... lol
Not a very good sound/feel.

I ALSO dont know how long those plugs were in the car by the time i bought it though.... they could have had 100,000 miles of hard driving on them. I would HOPE not..... seeing as how ive put another 120k trouble free miles on it, i doubt it.