How bad are they?

I just replaced them off my 05 Lancer OZ, that I purchased on the 5th of this month.
I've been slowly going through the car checking everything making sure the car is running ok.

I've been getting an average of 23.30 MPG...

New plugs NGK V-Power, werent expensive so i got them VS the cheaper ones.

 

bad!!!

 

Straight from the NGK site... http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/techinf...q/faqread2.asp

The pic to the left appears to have oil on the threads...oil leak through the spark plug tube? The other looks normal.

 

Yes yes! the clean ones are new, its just a comparison versus the old ones! Isnt this pathetic?!?!?! Jeeez, I bought the car from my friend and this guy didn't take care of it! :-(

 

oh, great link! Thanks!

 

looks like preignition damage

 

yeah those are out, good thing u changed it

 

good move there should be quite a difference

 

you could have oil leaking into the cylinders and you are running lean. Both very bad. Replace the valve cover gasket with new spark plug seals and see if that helps the oil problem. It did for mine.

 

good reference

 

Hmm, yea thanks. I will be looking into that.

The car ran amazing afterwards.

If I could describe it in one word, RESPONSIVE.

 

take out the 4 spark plug wires/coil packs. Disconnect the vacuum line on top of the valve cover. Unbolt all of the bolts of the valve cover (remember roughly how tight these bolts are). Buy a new valve cover gasket set with spark plug seals for about $20. The old valve cover gasket will probably just break apart depending on how old it is. Replace the gaskets (you will see the seals on the tube's where the spark plugs go in. Replace valve cover gasket. Rebolt on valve cover (not TOO tight) replace vacuum line and spark plug wires/coil packs. Start car, check for leaks around the valve cover. It sounds 10x harder than it is.


If I didn't explain something clear enough let me know. I can walk you through it if you want. I was getting oil into my spark plugs as well in cylinder 1 but after replacing all of the gaskets it was good to go

 

The spark plugs are just worn out. Thats what old used spark plug looks like. Your fine. Just throw some new ones in and your good to go. The oil/carbon on the threads is most likely from the spark plug not being in very tight. Nothing serious. As long as the tip of the spark isnt wet or covered in oil your ok. They tend to loosen up after awhile.

 

actually, spark plugs should never loosen up really. It is because the sealing gasket between the spark plug tube and the valve cover is slowly starting to leak.

 

Mine looked just like that when I pulled them yesterday... I also had oil on the threads from the plug I pulled from cylinder 1