Spark plugs

Lollypop · Post by **Lollypop** » Sat May 19, 2007 10:24 pm

Hey fellas long time no see....been hell around here for the past few months when I get a sec I'll fill ya in. In the meantime

I changed my plugs the other day and 1&4 were nasty, black and gummy. Number 2&3 were pretty and white..wonder whats up? it was the same thing the last time I changed

Wonder if the rings are not seated

Any ideas?

=====Justin=====

Post by **Petros** » Mon May 21, 2007 6:40 pm

How would only two of four piston rings not seat? It seems to me it would be all or none. Have your recently rebuit the engine? Rings seat within the first 100-500 miles of driving on new rings.

Bad valve stem seals could cause this on the 1 and 4 cyl. Or incorrect temp range on the spark plugs, are all four the same type of spark plug? Also try testing, or just swaping out the spark plug wires, 1 and 4 might be bad.

There are more searious problems that could cause this too. Do a compression test on the engine and get back with us if either of the above yield nothing.

takza · Post by **takza** » Tue May 22, 2007 3:08 am

I guess number 3 plug can run lean, but a couple of oily or gummy ones along with the two clean ones would have to indicate something wrong with those 2 cylinders? Probably oil? Maybe fuel. Maybe they aren't firing right...plug wires?

Lollypop · Post by **Lollypop** » Tue May 22, 2007 9:18 am

I'm sorry I take for granted all you fellas know the history on my old girl. Less than a year ago I installed a brand new 4A....dropped on a Weber few months later blew the head gasket. Had the head checked by the machinist was told it was perfect, like brand new. Replaced the gasket and all the jazz that goes with it. has new wires, no smog crap at all,

Zruns like a champand pulls like a mad ox but every so often it misses a little and I end up changin the plugs to find the same thing 1 & 4 are gummy and 2 & 3 are beautiful.

=====Lollypop=====

thebigbread · Post by **thebigbread** » Tue May 22, 2007 12:19 pm

I think petros is right, a lot of things could lead to this. An inspection under the valve cover (i think the seals can be accessed by just removing the cover, am i right guys?) should clear this up, & the gasket on the valve cover is reusable, so dont worry bout a new one.

Lollypop · Post by **Lollypop** » Tue May 22, 2007 7:02 pm

Well this problem is going to take more than a valve train inspection. Maybe you missed the part about having the head checked by a trained machinist when I replaced the head gasket.

Are you from Mobile originally?

=====Lollypop=====

Typrus · Post by **Typrus** » Tue May 22, 2007 8:20 pm

Seals are made of rubber. They can go bad without the actual head being bad.

thebigbread · Post by **thebigbread** » Wed May 23, 2007 3:03 pm

Lollypop wrote:Well this problem is going to take more than a valve train inspection. Maybe you missed the part about having the head checked by a trained machinist when I replaced the head gasket.

Are you from Mobile originally?

=====Lollypop=====

oops. i did not notice that. sorry for my laziness

& yes, i originally lived in Midtown mobile for 15 yrs, but 3 years ago i moved to Citronelle (small town 30 mi. N of Mobile).

Why do you ask?

Lollypop · Post by **Lollypop** » Wed May 23, 2007 9:00 pm

Well I noticed when you hit the Tercel4WD scene that you were from Mobile, so I mentioned you and I could get together and talk Tercel. You didnt seem very interested so that just made me notice your name and post when I come across them. As I have read your posts ...you just didnt seem to be one us. Just an observation.

=====Lollypop=====

takza · Post by **takza** » Thu May 24, 2007 5:37 am

Lollypop wrote: but every so often it misses a little and I end up changin the plugs to find the same thing 1 & 4 are gummy and 2 & 3 are beautiful.
=====Lollypop=====

misfiring?