help me read my spark plugs

[localkineguy]

Hi all,
I'm hoping to tap into your infinite wisdom. I've replaced my ignition coils, wires, and spark plugs per the suggestion of slavrenz (thanks!). I pulled the plugs and I think that most are okay except for the middle-driver-side one. It appears to have some black deposits probably from oil? I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. The only other bad thing I've noticed on the car is that when I was running it in neutral in my garage, I noticed small black liquid flecks coming out of the exhaust, again presumably oil. It was at a very slow rate. I've never noticed these kinds of flecks coming out of an exhaust before so I think this isn't normal. Anyway, check out the pictures and let me know what you think:
http://picasaweb.google.com/localkineguy/SparkPlugs?authkey=Gv1sRgCOSum-ajirre0gE&feat=directlink

 

[justanothermp5]

why is there so much oil on tht last plug? thts not good
may be a faulty valve cover gasket

 

[localkineguy]

last one = #3? or the last one in the sequence of pictures?

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

Plug 3 isn't oil-fouled, it's carbon fouled. Maybe some seafoam is in order. As for the "black flecks" coming out of the exhaust- it's just carbon mixed condensation from your exhaust. Nothing to worry about.

 

[slavrenz]

Plug 3 isn't oil-fouled, it's carbon fouled. Maybe some seafoam is in order. As for the "black flecks" coming out of the exhaust- it's just carbon mixed condensation from your exhaust. Nothing to worry about.

No, it definitely looks like that one plug has drops of oil on its neck - but they also look slightly carbon fouled. To the OP, check the torque on your valve cover gasket, and replace it if it still leaks. And I agree - run some seafoam through that SOB.

 

[digitalslacker]

I have the same issue, or a similar issue anyways.

Plug 2 -3 - 4 look like:

 

[localkineguy]

thanks for the advice!

Thanks for the input! I'll run some SeaFoam throughout; I assume I should do it as suggested in the "How-To" (http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123665633)?

 

[Wagonbacker9]

how many miles on the plugs? from the discoloration on the porcelan, I'd say they were due for changing and look perfectly normal...

 

[localkineguy]

I honestly have no clue how many miles were on the spark plugs. That's why I took Slavrenz's advice to change out the ignition system to avoid a misfire that could mess my cat. I currently have ~104,000 miles on my car and for all I know it could have never been changed. I'm the 3rd owner.

 

[Wagonbacker9]

sounds like a tune-up is a great plan then. just hit all the major stuff and you should be fine.

 

[localkineguy]

major stuff in my mind:

• oil change
• transmission fluid change
• brake fluid change
• coolant change
• ignition replacement
• belts (done already)

What am I missing?

 

[Wagonbacker9]

air filter, PCV, thats about it.

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

Plug 3 could be a little oil fouled, but I agree that they look like they have been in the engine for a long time and need to be replaced anyway. A little oil-fouling over time isn't totally uncommon. What you should worry about is if one of the plugs is gooey with oil...that would be a serious problem! G/L with the maintenance!

 

[hornsfan10609]

Try torquing down the valve cover bolts. My car had a slight oil leak around the vc gasket and all I did was tighten a bunch of bolts on the vc that had come completely loose.

 

[Wagonbacker9]

somebody seriously needs to teach mazda about loctite... VICS, valve covers, exhaust manifolds... bastards!

 

[localkineguy]

Okay, I'll tighten the valve cover and run the SeaFoam magic through this weekend.

 

[Egprotege5]

it appears that the #3 has carbon buildup, indicating that #3 injector could be leaking. have a shop perform the fuel injector cleaning service (usually costs somewhere around $70, but well worth it) and try to use a gas station that sells top-tier gasoline to keep it clean.