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

What's up with plugs?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 20, 2016 | 03:11 AM
  #1  
baronsmith98's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Brunswick, GA
Default What's up with plugs?

Checked my plugs yesterday and all of them looked real dirty but #4 is perfectly clean?? I changed intakes a few weeks ago and noticed there was a little oil on top of the closed valves. ( assuming I need new seals possibly guides). I also did compression test and all cylinders were within 5 psi of each other. Could this be rings? Blowed head gasket steam cleaning plug? There is no water loss though. Maybe the valve seals on that cylinder are good? Plugs are tr6 Thanks for any help
Name:  IMG_20160619_161416607_zpsnqyys40r.jpg
Views: 95
Size:  185.1 KB
Name:  IMG_20160619_161647625_zpswoaxhjre.jpg
Views: 108
Size:  153.6 KB
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2016 | 07:42 AM
  #2  
roth2000's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Default

That crazy clean compared to the other, doesn't even look used. I'm definetly interested to hear the answer.
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2016 | 08:03 AM
  #3  
Mercier's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,384
Likes: 5
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Default

How much oil is in the old intake? PCV system can put a lot of oil in the intake port without a catch can. How long have you had the (vehicle?)? Did you install these plugs yourself to know they are the same age? How old are they?

From those pics, both look to have oil on them; the top plug looks to have more carbon build-up.
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2016 | 08:14 AM
  #4  
baronsmith98's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Brunswick, GA
Default

Oil wasn't in the intake just some on intake valves ( likely seals or guides). Had the motor running for 2 years. I don't run a PVC just breathers. Plugs are about 2 months old. That is never sieze on the clean plug not oil
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2016 | 10:05 AM
  #5  
Mercier's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,384
Likes: 5
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Default

Well aside from the obvious then(and what you've stated), could it be fuel washing the plug?
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2016 | 11:06 AM
  #6  
baronsmith98's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Brunswick, GA
Default

I guess it's a possibility but with a Vic jr and a carb I don't see how it would be only one cylinder. I though maybe that cylinder wasn't firing but the engine runs amazing
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2016 | 01:38 PM
  #7  
Mercier's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,384
Likes: 5
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Default

When you say #4 are you referring to the second plug from the radiator on the passenger side? I grew up Ford so I was thinking maybe fuel puddling in the back of the intake between runs or similar. Remembering now LS is numbered cross-bank.
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2016 | 01:44 PM
  #8  
baronsmith98's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Brunswick, GA
Default

Yes second cylinder from front on passenger side
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 Jun 20, 2016 | 02:34 PM
  #9  
Mercier's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,384
Likes: 5
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Default

That's all I've got unless somehow the NO2 plate is washing that one off. But fuel probably wouldn't get it that clean anyway if all else was the same. Let's go the valve seal route--not unlikely--but it seems like the other plugs would look dirtier by comparison. Maybe just a combo of your camera and my monitor but the insulators on both of those plugs look surprisingly "white" for 2 month plugs with oil in the intake port. Then again, I have no idea how much/little you have driven/run in that time. I am also not terribly experience with NO2. I understand it all but I haven't run it so maybe something else about that dynamic we're missing.

Maybe stick a little camera in the hole and take a look at the tops of the pistons. I have heard of some real cheapie USB cameras that will fit in a spark plug hole and viewable through a laptop.
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2016 | 02:56 PM
  #10  
baronsmith98's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Brunswick, GA
Default

In haven't run the nitrous through it yet because I want to get this oil issue figured out first. Nitrous and oil don't mix well. I would say the plugs have maybe 100 miles on them. Just a weekend toy. I know it runs a little rich and that could be the cause of the soot on the plugs too but there is oil on the threads and the motor burns a little oil. Not a lot. I was just amazed when I pulled that one plug out and it was so clean? Maybe an excuse to get new heads
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2016 | 03:22 PM
  #11  
Mercier's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,384
Likes: 5
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Default

Well I consider a bad day at work an excuse to get new heads...so by all means if you have actual supporting physical evidence.
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2016 | 07:21 PM
  #12  
baronsmith98's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Brunswick, GA
Default

Cylinder 8, 6, & 4
Name:  IMG_20160620_192110367_zpspm9wpfbl.jpg
Views: 92
Size:  208.3 KB
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2016 | 07:21 PM
  #13  
baronsmith98's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Brunswick, GA
Default

Drivers side bank
Name:  IMG_20160620_194041533_zpsglamoift.jpg
Views: 89
Size:  227.3 KB
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2016 | 07:51 PM
  #14  
jblankenship's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 626
Likes: 1
From: Mechanicsville, VA
Default

Fire it up and see if that header pipe has heat. Checking with an infared gun against the other cylinders is easiest. One of my coils was going out. Mine however was fouling them due to weak spark. If yours is not firing at all it would be clean. Was hard to tell, but a very small miss at idle. However, eventually my o2 sensors ( I know you don't have them) started commanding a ton of fuel and causing the motor to break up.
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2016 | 08:23 PM
  #15  
baronsmith98's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Brunswick, GA
Default

Glad you said that my dad has a temp gun I will borrow from him tomorrow and try it.
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2016 | 11:57 AM
  #16  
Mercier's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,384
Likes: 5
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Default

Agreed. That's a great idea. Nice if the only problem is a dead coil. And if you thought it ran well before..1/8th more power should be outstanding.
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2016 | 06:26 PM
  #17  
baronsmith98's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Brunswick, GA
Default

Well it was the coil! Shot it with the temp gun and it was a couple hundred degrees colder. Swapped a coil off my daily driver Sierra and the temp came up with the others! I did notice a few bubbles in the radiator though. Compression is all within 5 psi of each other though. Haven't really noticed water loss and there doesn't seem to be any in the oil. Am I just paranoid with the bubbles?
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2016 | 09:57 PM
  #18  
jblankenship's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 626
Likes: 1
From: Mechanicsville, VA
Default

If it was pushing water the overflow would be full. Or a plug would have crystals on it.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:48 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