Problems when giving it gas

[typhoon5000]

Well to me, since he said the problem started when the O2 connector got corroded, makes me think the problem is still with that. When you said the plugs were white, were you referring to both banks or just one? I know you fixed the corroded connector, but maybe it shorted something out further back in the harness? or the O2 sensor itself?

 

[Warren]

All of my sparkplugs had some white on them kinda like mold looking stuff like they were fouled from running lean but the tip of the electrode and the hook part were not white, just a little black.

I bought new spark plugs, The old spark plugs gap were all around.60 and .65. Even though I gapped them myself to .44 when I put them in 50,000+ miles ago but all of the heat up and cool down, running lean, and rich etc after all that time prbably put them out of gap over the 2 years since I did them last. Im guessing the last time I was running lean was the straw that broke the camels back.

I bought new spark plugs, ACDelco as usual and i have my power back!

Thanks for all the help trouble shooting guys!

Now time to tackle the damned leaky water pump. lol

 

[Dirk37]

Glad to hear it's running good! Do you have a picture of the old plugs? I'm curious to see what they looked like, might be helpful in future troubleshooting

 

[Warren]

 

[SHOdded]

Wow, that is crusty! Were these Motorcrafts? What brand are the new ones? Have fun with the water pump, check the CKP sensor while in there, may need cleaning.

 

[Dirk37]

Holy crap those are filthy! No wonder the car didn't run right, I'm surprised it was even drivable.

Like SHOdded said, while your working with the water pump check out the Crank Sensor. I'd recommend replacing it while you're in there because it's such a PITA to get to. Plus if you're unlucky like me and your crank bolt strips, you won't have to deal with it for another 60k.

 

[rubydist]

If you look over this page:
http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/tech_support/spark_plugs/faqs/faqread.asp
you will see that his plugs look a lot like the "end of normal life" photo. There is accumulation of crud over time.

The point is that one cannot leave copper plugs in there for 50k miles, because the plug gap grows to the point where spark blowout occurs under higher load and/or rpm. If you use iridium or double platinum plugs, you do not get that kind of gap growth.

Glad to hear its well again!

 

[typhoon5000]

His looks close the "deposits" picture too, meaning a possible oil leak or poor fuel quality. I agree, it's probably mainly from the plugs being at the end of their design life, but it might be worth investigating too. It looks like your plug well seals are good, is that true?

 

[Warren]

Thanks for the info. These were ACdelco an so are thenew ones buti think they are both copper not platinium. Now I. Know why the platinums are a better option. Longer lasting. But hey 50k isnt bad I got my money worth right?

 

[typhoon5000]

Thanks for the info. These were ACdelco an so are thenew ones buti think they are both copper not platinium. Now I. Know why the platinums are a better option. Longer lasting. But hey 50k isnt bad I got my money worth right?

Well double platinums will go 100K no problem, so if they aren't more than double the price of coppers, they're a better deal, plus it saves you from the hassle of changing the plugs twice as often

 

[Warren]

His looks close the "deposits" picture too, meaning a possible oil leak or poor fuel quality. I agree, it's probably mainly from the plugs being at the end of their design life, but it might be worth investigating too. It looks like your plug well seals are good, is that true?

Yep plug well seals are good no oil in them at all.

 

[intimdatr]

60k is the normal range you get out of them so 50k isnt that unreasonable theyre dying.

Ive got a set of double plats with 10k+ on they still look new.

 

[rubydist]

well, I've never had a set of copper plugs go 60k without needing re-gapped. Typically every 20-25k a copper plug will need re-gapped.

The thing that makes iridium plugs better is that the little point does not erode, and the sharp edges make for a better, more consistent spark. Those plugs with huge gaps and rounded edges not only provide less performance, they also use more gas.