Hey everyone, first of all this is my first post! Picked up a clean title, fully stock Evo IX GSR a few weeks back in San Diego for 20k and I’m loving it. So, I was going to replace my plugs/plug wires and I notice this white residue along the walls, some has more than others. Anything to be worried about or should I just go ahead and put my new plugs in and call it a day, or tips on what to clean it with? Also, looks like some gunk built up on the top of one of the plugs, but does not look fresh. Thanks!




Here’s a picture of it after I put the tint on, it was a fishbowl before lol, inland empire SoCal heat is no joke so I had to

 

Alright / Welcome @Montzster

EvO looks real nice & congrats for sure. Yeah, not sure what that residue is exactly. Could it be some type of silicone applied to the plug wires?

How many miles on the chassis & motor (orig engine?). Curious what the maintenance records show?

Cheers, Joe

 

Thanks! That’s what I was thinking, it’s real hard too, the plug wires/coil packs were hard to get out for some reason, maybe due to it? I’ll try to get some of it off and see.
It has 135k miles, original engine. Guy before me kept it clean, he was the only owner, maintenance was done on time for the most part, but I feel he overlooked some things.

 

For sure you want to make sure the 60K was done not to mention the other periodical checks

 

Yeah, he said he had the timing belt done only ONCE at around 110k. Checked the belt, looked good, not sure about the water pump/etc since I haven’t had time to get in there and look. I’m planning on ordering the full 60k kit soon, I only drive it once a week so I’ll be doing that before any long drives forsure.

 

Could be whoever did a valve cover gasket last used clear silicone instead of high temp black on the spark plug tube grommets. It looks very dirty at the seat of the spark plugs as well. When you change them, try and clean where the gas crush ring on the plug touches the head. If it's dirty there the plugs often wiggle loose. If coils were tight, I recommend using dielectric grease on all igniton connections.

 

I was thinking some sort of silicone as well since it’s hardened and does not seem to come off easy. Yeah it’s pretty dirty in there, going to try and clean it out so nothing gets in there when I take the spark plugs out first. Going to get some grease for easier removal next time.
thanks!

 

why would you put silicon on the gaskets???

anyway, you can take a vacuum, and tape a small hose hose to it and then stick it down there and vaccum it out before you take out the plugs.

dont want that stuff falling down in the cylinder.

 

My thoughts exactly lol, I’ll be replacing it soon anyways, but Ultra black RTV is the only stuff I’ve ever used so not sure what was used prior. Im hoping it’s just silicone and not something else.

Was thinking the same thing, managed to find a micro vacuum attachment set, just need to make sure it fits.

 

Blow the well out with compressed air., crack the plug loose and blow again.