1990944S2

Hey Folks, just did plugs last weekend, then last night I did the cap/rotor and wires. I have this annoying minor misfire going on that prompted me to check the plugs today in case they might give me a clue into what might be going on. All plugs look new as I'd hoped (very slight golden hue) but #3 has a white frosted residue covering the electrode as well. Could this be a result of my misfire? Or any thoughts on what might be occuring? Cheers

Fara

Any chance of seeing a good quality photo comparing each of the plugs?

1990944S2

Sorry Fara, I don't have access to a camera at the moment. The best I can do is ask you to visualize the end of one plug being a whitish grey ...the other three are still like new. Thanks

Fara

Are you talking about a whitish buildup like this pic? (ignore the blackness on the base of the plug - this was from a very sick ford laser)

Edit: OH SWEET MERCIFUL!
Sorry for the giant pic.

1990944S2

Yes, other than the blackness this is the same as my #3 plug.

Fara

If they are that white, it's normally that the engine is running too hot, or the plugs are for the incorrect temp range.

The engine that plug was pulled out of was low on both oil and water and had overheated - practically melting the number 2 plug.

Note that I'm far from an expert and I would suggest waiting for my diagnosis to be confirmed before actioning it.

Grandpa#3

Hello, A simple Google Search usually will tell you just what you need to know.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...LlhSEyTIY-RApw

Cheers,
Larry

1990944S2

Thanks for the posts Fara and Larry, I have surfed through a few sites describing the various spark plug condition photos, but what is unique to my situation is that my spark plugs are brand new (installed last weekend) with only one showing the white residue on the electrode, the other three are still perfect. This must be a sign of something wrong occuring during the detonation of my #3 cylinder. I am guessing at this point but with the slight misfire and the loss of a little bit of antifreeze this month, I'm starting to realize that I may have a bad head gasket. (I guess I should start finding out if I'm able to do a head gasket myself.) I'll keep you posted. Thanks

Lizard944

Check the #3 cylinder temp at the exhaust manifold with an infrared thermometer gun and compare it to the other cylinders. If it's running noticeably cooler, then it's probably a bad injector that's causing a lean condition and the "miss."

Fara

Exhaust temp check is a fantastic suggestion.
I'd also suggest, if you're losing coolant, that you run a compression and leakdown check. It's simple to do and can show you the health of your cylinder walls, valves and piston rings in one very quick check.

That said, sending the injectors off to Witchhunter is never a bad thing