How do these plugs look?

[FunElan]

Just changed my plugs the other day, how do these old ones look? I'm using the iridium bp6eix.

Thanks!

Matt

[TKMad]

Looks pretty good to me. Hard to tell from the pic but there may be a bit of ash deposit, which is usually from gas additives or a little oil burning. Overall I would say it is fine.

[c.d.iesel]

.........too lean and hot to me.

A white colored plug is caused by engine overheating. Failure to repair this engine will result in severe engine damage. Common causes for this are:

Incorrect spark plug (too hot heat range).

Low octane fuel.

Timing is not set properly.

Cooling problems, (dirty cylinder fins, no or low water if water cooled, low or no engine oil).

Carburetor air/fuel mixture is too lean (too much air).

Leaking crankshaft seals, no oil, base or head gasket leaks, or crankcase leaks on two stroke engines.

you want a little brownish

like this to be healthty

[FunElan]

Thanks for the replies. The engine actually runs pretty cool, rarely gets up over halfway on the guage. As far as octane I'm using 89. The timing might be set incorrectly as I haven't checked it in a while.

[c.d.iesel]

http://www.dansmc.com/spark_plugs/spark_plugs_catalog.html

[FunElan]

Thanks for that link, it's a good one. From my personal view of all the plugs, they most look like pictures 10, 17, 20, or 22.

[02for2]

Look Hot & Lean to me too.

GREAT for Women!! ... not so good for Sparkplugs.

Adjust timing and carb, drive 50 miles and check again. The plugs will 'recolor' in that time and give you another look.

Cheers!

[76duece]

Those plugs are shot. I would suggest starting with new plugs to get a good reading. If your timing has not been set in a while, get on that. Seems lean and hot, which to me seem likes you need to check your jetting/carb settings, and maybe peel that timing back a bit. Does she run ok?

[FunElan]

The only reason why I pulled the plugs was to replace them. I'll guess I'll have to try the different timing settings. She runs fine, I drive it everyday.

Thanks for all the input

-Matt

[roadhog0]

Everyone has what I was gonna say...

[Pierre]

I was under the impression that our cars do not like Iridium or platinum plugs. They like the copper or the silver. Something to do with ignition voltage requirement incompatibilities. They work but not as well.

I remember having trouble with my 86 325e. I replaced the platinums with silvers and my problems were solved. Problems included hard starting, intermittent misses, low on power and higher fuel consumption.

Have the rules changed?

[jrhone]

I was under the impression that our cars do not like Iridium or platinum plugs. They like the copper or the silver. Something to do with ignition voltage requirement incompatibilities. They work but not as well.

I remember having trouble with my 86 325e. I replaced the platinums with silvers and my problems were solved. Problems included hard starting, intermittent misses, low on power and higher fuel consumption.

Have the rules changed?

Nope...I think you are right on...the platinums will last longer, but cost more...I paid about $6 for a set of BP5ES plugs from Mesa Performance...so changing them more often is not an issue.

[FunElan]

Yeah, the iridium were 6 each, haha, huge rip! So then what are the absolute best plugs for these cars?? And plug gap with a pertronix?

[tjones02]

Yeah, the iridium were 6 each, haha, huge rip! So then what are the absolute best plugs for these cars?? And plug gap with a pertronix?

NGK BP6ES or BP5ES... NGK heat ranges are backwards from Bosch, so 5's are hotter than 6's. In yours, reading your plugs I'd use 6's. With basic points replacement electronic ignition like Pertronix I'd still run a .28" gap, same as stock.

BTW those Iridium plugs are junk, as are the Platinum plugs the chain stores sell for our cars..... Shouldn't have to pay over $2.50 for good spark plugs....

http://www.autohausaz.com/search/product.aspx?sid=xitm124502ufy4bmy2mtwe55&partnumber=bp6es

[02for2]

+1 on the exotic metal plugs. Mostly Marketing Hype.

Some (Iridium) may have lower electrical resistance, but when your shoving 30k-50k volts through them, it's a case of more not being any better than enough.

Platinum plugs will last longer due to Platinum's much higher melting point and ability to conduct heat, but there's a false economy at play here.

Swapping plugs is maybe the cheapest maintenance you can do to the car. But, they give you a look at conditions quite literally where it is all happening.

Waiting 25k mi. to check your engine's general health isn't the best policy, especially with a carb'd, 30+ y.o. car.

Use standard plugs and change them annually. Your car will thank you!

Cheers!