Opinions on Spark Plug Appearance

[Eidolon]

Continuing my habit of posting pics and asking for opinions, here's a shot of the spark plugs from my car. Glad I replaced 'em, since they do appear a tad worn.

The plugs from the driver side cylinder bank had some oily sludge on the threads, getting worse moving toward the back of the head.

Below is a picture of the most affected plug. This is from the rearmost cylinder on the driver side. No intrusion past the taper.



The seat for this plug. No sign of any external leak.


New plugs are NGK TR5 Iridium IX's. Hand threaded them in with anti-seize on the threads and then torqued them down to 11 ft-lb (132 in-lb) as per the service manual. New headers go on next. I'll just have to be careful not to hit the plugs and damage the ceramic.

[G8-4-Speed]

Oh, you'll be taking those right back out for the headers. The plug looks good, don't worry about the oil on the threads. They look like new, you haven't even broke it in yet.....

[todds87ss]

I'd say that they looked good also. And why install them BEFORE headers? You do stand a chance or cracking one with the header install...and it's tough to find once the headers are in place.

[Eidolon]

Oh, you'll be taking those right back out for the headers. The plug looks good, don't worry about the oil on the threads. They look like new, you haven't even broke it in yet.....

Drat. No room to get the headers in around 'em? Good to know the plugs look good. I'm still new to all this, so I'm learnin'.

I'd say that they looked good also. And why install them BEFORE headers? You do stand a chance or cracking one with the header install...and it's tough to find once the headers are in place.

I wasn't confident I could get the new plugs in once the headers were in, or that it wouldn't be a tremendous pain. I could barely see the stock plugs around the stock manifold.

On the upshot, removing the plugs I put in will be a cinch since I just put them in.

[STL_G8GT]

In my opinion, plug swap is really no more difficult with headers. Id leave them out until you're done with the header install.

[Eidolon]

In my opinion, plug swap is really no more difficult with headers. Id leave them out until you're done with the header install.

I've found this to be true as well. In fact, I think the headers allow more clearance to get to the plugs. I went ahead and removed them before putting the headers in, as per Rick's and Todd's advice.

[AVIDMOTION]

I used the old plugs to hold up the headers as a third hand....

[GT Drew]

Plugs are too fragile to leave in during a header install. One hit and they crack and lead to misfires.
The electrode and the small platinum contact look good. I would have cleaned and re-gapped them.

[-Ray-]

Plugs are too fragile to leave in during a header install. One hit and they crack and lead to misfires.
The electrode and the small platinum contact look good. I would have cleaned and re-gapped them.

^This!

[ebaker2006]

I just swapped my plugs pretty quickly today. It's kind of a PITA, but easily doable if you have smaller hands. I have big arms and hands and I made it happen. Best of luck! sounds like you are modding that car every week!