Need some help

Discussion in 'Technical' started by KitKat, Jan 7, 2011.

  1. PaulS

    PaulS Member extrordiare

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    Oil can't get on the outside of the plugs from the inside.... you have a leak that is dripping down on the plugs - may not be the only problem but it is one.
     
  2. 74 GRABBER

    74 GRABBER Member

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    I'm not sure if thats what he means Paul, thats kinda why I asked for the pictures of the plugs. Picture worth a thousand words kinda thing :)
     
  3. baddad457

    baddad457 Member

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    Oil can get there if the plugs are loose.
     
  4. PaulS

    PaulS Member extrordiare

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    This is what I was referring to.... If the oil is on the outside of the plugs while they are in the engine then it is NOT coming from the combustion chamber. There has to be a leak on the outside dripping on the plugs. This is common with Ford small sixes and some V8s.
     
  5. KitKat

    KitKat Member

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    How exactly do I insert pictures?
     
  6. KitKat

    KitKat Member

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    IMG_0244.jpg

    I dont know if this attachment will work or not but this is the pic showing oil around the plug hole but none dripping down from above
     
  7. KitKat

    KitKat Member

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    IMG_0242.jpg

    This is the plug that came from the hole where oil was seen leaking

    IMG_0246.jpg

    And this is a different plug where no oil was seen leaking
     
  8. KitKat

    KitKat Member

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    I hope those pics will help. The car still stumbles when you punch the gas, even when in park. I also believe its running rich cause if I stand around the car while its idling then go inside my clothes smell like exhaust. Any advice is appreciated
     
  9. 74 GRABBER

    74 GRABBER Member

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    Looks like plugs were not tourqued right to be leaking like that, but you have a bigger problem going on. Them valve seals are shot, or your rings are shot. Cannot believe that thing does not smoke like a freight train, there is probably straight oil coming out your tailpipe too.


    Can you post a pic of the plug? I would just like to see
    next step leak down test, figure out whats going on....

    On a lighter side last time I seen anything like that, I had a blown turbo seal, car smoked like a freight train and if you revved it up you could watch it spit raw oil out. Kinda funny at the time. One rebuilt turbo and a "spirited drive" to heat up all the exhaust got it nice and clean again
     
  10. baddad457

    baddad457 Member

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    Was that plug loose when you pulled it ? Loose plugs will let oil seep by the threads and the seat that seals the plug.
     
  11. 74 GRABBER

    74 GRABBER Member

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    Now I see the spark plug pics, hard to see not sure if its really running that lean or just glare from a flash, try taking pic at a different angle.

    Either way you need a leakdown test on that one cylinder, my above post I was under the impression it was like that on all the cylinders.

    Sometimes that smells rich smell is exactly the opposite its running too lean, always go by what the plugs look like instead of your nose.
     
  12. KitKat

    KitKat Member

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    The plug did not seem loose when I pulled it. I will get another pic of the plug. The weird thing is it doesn't smoke hardly at all. Like I said the seals are brand new. Could it running lean explain the stumbling under load? And where do I go to have a leak down test done?
     
  13. 74 GRABBER

    74 GRABBER Member

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    Most competent auto shops can run a leakdown test for you

    No probably not going to smoke that bad if only one plug looks like that, like I posted earlier I thought all your plugs were like that.

    yes lean can cause stumbling (no fuel for the fire), does it "ping" at all sound like a marble in a coffee can or exhaust leak?


    Do a quick google of reading spark plugs and with your spark plug by your computer look and see what they are talking about.

    A picture angle like your first one would be better without flash on. Bassically need to see the top ring, the ground strap, and the porceline for a full reading.
     
  14. KitKat

    KitKat Member

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    Here is a better picture of that plug with out the flash. I checked a few other plugs and they all seem to have a little oil on the threads but none on the electrode and they are not nearly as fouled as this one. The plugs also seem to smell pretty strongly of gas if that means anything. And no there doesnt seem to be any sort of pinging sound
     
  15. 74 GRABBER

    74 GRABBER Member

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    Thats the plug where the oil was leaking right?
    Can see another pic like that of the other cylinder

    Is that metal specs or porceline on the base ring (I'm still having a hard time seeing it probably my laptop screen)

    Heat range looks about perfect though, see how the discoloration on the ground strap is about half way before the bend towards the plug? Thats your heat range indicator, so if it would have been discolored all the way down to the base ring means that its too hot of a plug. Same goes for little or no discoloration means too cold of a plug.

    Reading the plug your really kinda looking at the base ring looking for a light tan reading as well as on the porceline I try and read of the base ring instead cause it can also bee read further by part color vs full color on the ring.


    Keep in mind that this type of reading is ONLY of what the engine was running last. So if it was idleing before the plug was pulled this is ONLY WHAT ITS DOING AT IDLE.

    Too see what its doing full throttle under load that is when the engine needs to be shut down at. Example a pull from stop almost until a shift, put in nuetral, shut down car. read the plugs.
     

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