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Old 05-03-2020, 04:48 PM #1
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What do these sparkplugs say about my engine
I changed SP yesterday. Looks like PO hadn’t changed in a while, and was using NGK. I got some factory Densi and put them in.

All looked good except for cyl. 1 and 3, which are very red.

Curious what you all think these used plugs say about the heath of my engine.

(picture attached and plugs are ordered according to cylinder I pulled them from).
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What do these sparkplugs say about my engine-7edebc13-1914-498f-b6ab-f6d8a44c3831-jpg  What do these sparkplugs say about my engine-a5949954-f307-4424-a9c6-73141ff841df-jpg  What do these sparkplugs say about my engine-ffb6a948-3aec-4f10-a9e7-f0e0887163a1-jpg 
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Old 05-03-2020, 05:46 PM #2
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How many miles on the plugs? Light tan and white plugs are normal. That looks almost reddish more then yellow. Possible insulation glazing but that more yellow. Let's see what some other users think.

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Old 05-03-2020, 06:51 PM #3
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I don’t have the service records showing when the SP were changed. Truck has 209k on it — I picked it up with 205k.

Since factory came with Densi, and these were NGKs, I imagine these were changed about 70k miles ago.

I got a fault code for “random cylinder misfire” I think nos. 1 and 3 were the culprit. After I changed the plugs the engine is much smoother, no miss, and increased throttle response.

Now I’m wondering if that means there’s so larger issue with 1 and 3?
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Old 05-03-2020, 07:11 PM #4
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Well you can compression check. Maybe just plugs went bad. As those cylinders are burning clean no deposits even on the reddish plugs. Very clean probably a good strong engine.

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Old 05-03-2020, 07:45 PM #5
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They look fine IMHO but a little worn. If the wires are original, possibly a new set should be in your future.
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Old 05-03-2020, 08:06 PM #6
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I agree with all the above. If if runs smooth I would not worry about except bring all the services up. Wire PCV air filter ect. The two that are a bit tan looking maybe a little extra fuel or oil but it's still in the normal range. If you have concerns you could do a compression or leak down to see if those cylinders differ from the others. As long as it runs smooth I would just drive it.
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Old 05-04-2020, 01:56 AM #7
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Them plugs look fairly new to me.
Do you run that Toyota orange coolant? I have no idea if it would make the plugs orange, but maybe.

When I’ve had plugs cause misfire they were heavily eroded on the electrode and ground.

The ends of the threads on the orange two look crusty. Is it rust or carbon?

Them are the correct plugs for these rigs. I’ve gone through several sets of those without issue.
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Old 05-04-2020, 10:32 AM #8
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To me it looks like you have uneven injector flow.

With only 1 O2 sensor checking the exhaust it senses a lean condition from reduced fuel flow and increases fuel until the exhaust smells ok to the sensor. Sadly with only 1 fuel bank it reads the average of all 6 cylinders

Those two plugs are rich looking for a fuel injected vehicle. So I read it as the cleaner plugs have restricted fuel flow.

As long as each cylinder has even compression and each fuel injector has even fuel flow the plugs should all read relatively identical. Your plugs are all over the place.


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Old 05-04-2020, 11:16 AM #9
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Those look barley used to me. IDK why its orange but it would not worry me unless your radiator fluid was orange.


Factory plugs was actully 3 NKG and 3 Denso if I remember right.
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Old 05-04-2020, 09:53 PM #10
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Will some Seafoam in the tank help clean the injectors? I already did one Seafoam treatment when I got the car 3k miles ago. But I know it was sitting for a little while.
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Old 05-04-2020, 09:54 PM #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by calimobber View Post
Those look barley used to me. IDK why its orange but it would not worry me unless your radiator fluid was orange.


Factory plugs was actully 3 NKG and 3 Denso if I remember right.
I use the standard Toyota coolant, and I know the PO changed the radiator. Who knows, maybe there was a head gasket leak at some point, which he fixed. I don't have records showing that.
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Old 05-04-2020, 09:58 PM #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 19963.4lsr5 View Post
To me it looks like you have uneven injector flow.

With only 1 O2 sensor checking the exhaust it senses a lean condition from reduced fuel flow and increases fuel until the exhaust smells ok to the sensor. Sadly with only 1 fuel bank it reads the average of all 6 cylinders

Those two plugs are rich looking for a fuel injected vehicle. So I read it as the cleaner plugs have restricted fuel flow.

As long as each cylinder has even compression and each fuel injector has even fuel flow the plugs should all read relatively identical. Your plugs are all over the place.


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I've read that the reddish color is from fuel additives they use in gasoline.
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Old 05-04-2020, 10:58 PM #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hairpin View Post
I've read that the reddish color is from fuel additives they use in gasoline.

But it’s only two spark plugs. What about the other 4?

Put Techron in your tank for the next 3 or 4 tanks and pull the plugs and see if it changed.

It’s my opinion.


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Old 05-04-2020, 11:18 PM #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hairpin View Post
Will some Seafoam in the tank help clean the injectors? I already did one Seafoam treatment when I got the car 3k miles ago. But I know it was sitting for a little while.
This is better than seafoam and far more cost effective, so continuous use is better.

I use it on all small engines, atvs, all autos to control ethanol, cleans carbon out and your plugs will look white and clean. $29 treats 512 gallons. Seafoam will eat you lunch to accomplish the same volume.

Amazon.com: Star Tron Enzyme Fuel Treatment - Concentrated Formula 32 oz - Treats 512 Gallons: Sports & Outdoors
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Old 05-05-2020, 07:09 AM #15
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The best injector cleaner IMHO by a country mile:
BG Platinum™ 44K(R) Fuel System Cleaner | BG Products, Inc.

Don’t lose a minute of sleep over the condition of the old plugs. Enjoy the new ride.....
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