Generation III External Engine LS1 | LS6 | Bolt-Ons | Intakes | Exhaust | Ignition | Accessories
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Red on insulator on NGK TR55's

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 19, 2012 | 08:53 AM
  #1  
WS6_Veteran's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Sierra Vista, AZ
Default Red on insulator on NGK TR55's

In the process of installing my headers, took out one of my NGK TR55's I installed back in February (5k miles ago) and the plug looks clean other than red on the insulator and the ground electrode. What does it indicate? Should I swap them out or should they be fine?
Attached Thumbnails Red on insulator on NGK TR55's-2012-12-19_07-46-27_830-1600x1200-.jpg  
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2012 | 09:00 AM
  #2  
speedtigger's Avatar
Old School Heavy
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 8,835
Likes: 84
From: Florida
Default

Originally Posted by WS6_Veteran
In the process of installing my headers, took out one of my NGK TR55's I installed back in February (5k miles ago) and the plug looks clean other than red on the insulator and the ground electrode. What does it indicate? Should I swap them out or should they be fine?
That plug is dirty and rich. I would change it and have a look at your tune. As for the red, something in the fuel locally? Do you use octane booster of fuel additives?
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2012 | 09:05 AM
  #3  
WS6_Veteran's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Sierra Vista, AZ
Default

Really, what indicated it running rich? I thought it looked pretty clean for 10 months old. I do a lot of city driving with the car. I use lucas fuel additive every 3k miles with oil change. But I have done this with all my cars and never seen bright red like this.

As far as tuning frost is the only one that has messed with my PCM. I had him delete the air and the rear o2 sensors (before I am installing race application headers).
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2012 | 09:20 AM
  #4  
speedtigger's Avatar
Old School Heavy
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 8,835
Likes: 84
From: Florida
Default

My plugs stay much cleaner than that and I have a carburetor on mine.
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2012 | 10:07 AM
  #5  
studderin's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (28)
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,556
Likes: 6
From: Rochester, NY
Default

maybe lucas changed somthing? Or you have winter gas now, But ya I see that from a additive.
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2012 | 10:53 AM
  #6  
WS6_Veteran's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Sierra Vista, AZ
Default

I also just moved from Kentucky to Arizona 2 months ago octane rating dropped from 93 to 91. I trailered the car, didn't drive it. Did a dyno back in like May and my air fuel ratings were petty good according to the shop owner. Because I questioned running rich when I first got the car because I was and still am getting roughly 13 mpg. But I on base and when I do get to drive I barely hit 6th.
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2012 | 10:56 AM
  #7  
speedtigger's Avatar
Old School Heavy
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 8,835
Likes: 84
From: Florida
Default

Spark plugs don't lie.
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2012 | 05:47 PM
  #8  
VandykeT/A's Avatar
10 Second Club
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,317
Likes: 20
From: Hurley, VA
Default

Ran any octane booster lately? I ran octane booster in my cobalt ss after I went to a colder plug and then drove to the beach and it started pulling timing. I changed them while I was there and they were orange/red like that. Next tank it went away.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 19, 2012 | 11:20 PM
  #9  
RevGTO's Avatar
Pontiacerator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,216
Likes: 236
From: Wichita KS / Rancho San Diego
Default

Additives in the gas or from octane booster. It's not a problem in itself.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:43 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE