Read my plugs please; what's with #3?
 

I just pulled my spark plugs. Can anyone tell me how good or bad each cylinder was running given the pictures? #3 doesn't look to good. I included a shot of the #3 exhaust (this pic is about a year older than todays picture of the plugs).

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1125789594.jpg http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1125789613.jpg

looks too lean to me. been getting hot...eroding away the electrode... imho

Is it possible for a Motronic controlled ignition system to run lean? Unless of course the injector is dirty; but I'm concerned about the little bit of oil around the plug and at the exhaust: What is that about? BTW, the new plugs have given the car a much more responsive feel to it. It was getting to be a little bit "dog-ish" and now responds much quicker to the throttle. My approach is to change the cap and rotor next, then the wires, then do a valve job. I want to see which change makes a difference rather than do it all at once and not really know what is responsible for the improvement.

The ash type deposits show that the motor is using some oil, a little more in #3 and the oil on the exhaust confirms that. AFA lean, they aren't real white looking and the electrodes are looking just real old, not burned up fast like lean would have a tendency to do along with the porcelin being whiter.

Does someone have a 'range' of plug photos with diagnostic lables? I just changed mine out today and was curious . . . Seems I saw a thread once but couldn't locate. didn't see any variance between them. All were a bit whitish

todd
86 coupe

type "read spark plugs" into google. See you in about an hour. ;)

Check out www.densoiridium.com and the Bosch site for lots of good info.

Best regards,
Gerry