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Orange/Rust Colored Spark Plugs

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Old 03-10-2006, 02:39 AM
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Darien
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Question Orange/Rust Colored Spark Plugs

Anyone ever seen or had orange/rust colored plugs? I couldn't get a good pic, but I did a partial inspection pulling 1,2,5,6 plugs and they all looked the same. Worst case scenario would be head gaskets, but no white smoke and no milky oil. Could this come from a too rich or lean mixture or too hot of a spark at high rpm and boost?
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Old 03-10-2006, 02:43 AM
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ViribusUnits
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Or just a funky fuel addative.

Do you buy your fuel always from the same station?

That said, might look into a lean condition. Mine normaly have at least a little carbon build up. Not a much, but just a little.
Old 03-10-2006, 03:00 AM
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Darien
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I did add 1 gal of Toluene 2 tanks ago, but when I researched the stuff, no one mentioned unusual plug build up. I get gas at the same station.
Old 03-10-2006, 03:13 AM
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ViribusUnits
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The toluene shouldn't cause orange. At least I can't think of anything in it that could. Maybe it it disolved some thing in the tank.

Maybe try getting gas at a diffrent station, and forgoing the toluene for a while. See what happens. If the color goes to black, try toluene and the new gas station.

Is this for a boosted shark?
Old 03-10-2006, 03:28 AM
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Darien
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Oh Yes


Originally Posted by ViribusUnits
Is this for a boosted shark?
Old 03-10-2006, 03:29 AM
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heinrich
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it's gasoline additives. i used arco years ago in my trucks -- blood red
Old 03-10-2006, 03:39 AM
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ViribusUnits
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Well, if you avoid the toluene, make sure you keep the evil ping devil away.
Old 03-10-2006, 07:18 AM
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Daniel Dudley
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Not abnormal. How many miles on those babies ? 20 K ?
Old 03-10-2006, 07:31 AM
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Looks to be a nice even tan colour on this screen: if they are all the same and deposit free - they look good to me.
Old 03-10-2006, 08:53 AM
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On my screen it's like "coffe with milk" = perfect color
Old 03-10-2006, 11:52 AM
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Back in the day, the lead in the fuel made snow-white deposits (lead oxide used to be the main ingredient in white paint), and the fuel made black carbon deposits.

Now, there is no lead, and the engines run MUCH leaner, so the main coloring is from the scavengers and other additives in the fuel. They can literally give ANY color deposits.

Today, the most meaningful colors seem to be dry, fluffy black, from very rich mixture; hard shiny gray from coolant leakage; and hard shiny black from engine oil consumption.
Old 03-10-2006, 01:43 PM
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Darien
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That's a relief Just never seen them that color. I couldn't get the true color in the pic due to lighting. They looked very rustic in color.
Old 03-10-2006, 02:07 PM
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hlj821
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Darien,you need to drive that thing!!!!! Are you available any this weekend, my buddy is here for the '91 and he wants to see yours.
Old 03-11-2006, 01:24 AM
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Tony
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Originally Posted by hlj821
Darien,you need to drive that thing!!!!! Are you available any this weekend, my buddy is here for the '91 and he wants to see yours.

How about march 31st at the Speedway?
They are having a Midnight Mayhen at 10pm..with a Test-nTune starting at 6pm. Il be there.

Plugs look fine Darien. Id vote for an addetive also....damn Base gas!!
You didnt try E85 in it did you?... the octane is high but it has less energy via the blend. Not good for the fuel system either, especially with our cars age!

Run it down to the red on the gas gauge..then another 25miles and go drop 10gallons of 100oct in from a local "REBEL STATION"...see if you notice any difference. You most likely wont in this cooler weather. The exhasut smell will be different, thats for sure.
May need to use lift end of next week..THR?
Old 03-11-2006, 01:35 AM
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Darien
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31st sounds good!! I'd like to get over to the dyno ASAP for another run.

I was wondering why the gas on base was cheaper No I didn't want to be the test bed for E85. I'm almost to empty now, might have to try Rebel.

The lift is always available, just let me know


Originally Posted by Tony
How about march 31st at the Speedway?
They are having a Midnight Mayhen at 10pm..with a Test-nTune starting at 6pm. Il be there.

Plugs look fine Darien. Id vote for an addetive also....damn Base gas!!
You didnt try E85 in it did you?... the octane is high but it has less energy via the blend. Not good for the fuel system either, especially with our cars age!

Run it down to the red on the gas gauge..then another 25miles and go drop 10gallons of 100oct in from a local "REBEL STATION"...see if you notice any difference. You most likely wont in this cooler weather. The exhasut smell will be different, thats for sure.
May need to use lift end of next week..THR?


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