Reading Plugs

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Nov 1, 2003 | 09:06 PM

MRBASS

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From: LAKE FORK TEXAS

Reading Plugs

I recently changed the plugs in my SD 5.4.. The motorcraft plugs had 60,000 on them and when i pulled them out the electrode was red as well was the ceramic part below the electrode, I mean red not brown, dosent this mean a lean condition? That 60000 miles was with the superchip. I took the chip off after changing the plugs to run it for a while and see what the new plugs look like. And for the record i can tell a big difference without the chip, not near the low end power i used to have for sure... I have always ran premium fuel, even now without the chip and have about 1500 miles now with the new plugs and no chip,, maybe another 1000 miles and i'll pull the plugs and see what they look like,, what color should the plugs be, i always thought they should be brown to black, surely not red or am i wrong?

Nov 2, 2003 | 07:18 AM

99f350sd

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Joined: May 2003

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From: Lyndonville, Vermont

Sometimes brand and grade of fuel will do weird things to plug color. I don't think its a problem. Plugs with few miles on them should just look new. These new engines don't do much to plug color unless you have a problem. Mine at 80k had some deposites but other wise looked good with kinda of a neutral color.

Nov 2, 2003 | 07:24 AM

powerstroker250

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Look here http://www.dansmc.com/spark_plugs/sp...s_catalog.html

Nov 2, 2003 | 07:27 AM

Phat02

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From: Anderson, SC

Red to purple deposits on one side of the core nose are an indication of a fuel additive. While many of these deposits are non-conductive and do not contribute to lack of performance, some fuel additives contain octane boosters that leave conductive deposits on the core nose. Care should be taken to select fuel additives which are compatible with ignition systems and do not contain conductive materials such as octane boosters.

I thought that your plugs may be too cold, but I found this in a 4-Stroke performance manual. Slounds like your answer.

Last edited by Phat02; Nov 2, 2003 at 07:37 AM.

Nov 2, 2003 | 09:07 PM

MRBASS

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From: LAKE FORK TEXAS

I really appreciate the thoughts guys,,, Guess i have never gotten off the old carb motor ways of reading plugs, as an old 2 stroke mechanic reading plugs were crucial to tuning a 2 stroke engine.. I'll wait a few more miles and checkem out and let ya'll know how they look..

Nov 3, 2003 | 11:55 AM

NoMo

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From: OK

If you have done all of those mods to your truck and are just running a "standard" Superchip, then your first impression may be correct.

The standard Superchips programming does "lean" out the fuel delivery. That, coupled with your headers and other mods, may be pushing you into the "too lean" area. Generally, a custom-programmed Superchip is required when making significant mods- like headers.

Nov 3, 2003 | 12:46 PM

Waxy

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From: Calgary Canada

Quote:

Originally posted by MRBASS
I really appreciate the thoughts guys,,, Guess i have never gotten off the old carb motor ways of reading plugs, as an old 2 stroke mechanic reading plugs were crucial to tuning a 2 stroke engine.. I'll wait a few more miles and checkem out and let ya'll know how they look..

I hear ya.

Unfortunately, with today's fuel and oils, spark plugs, and EFI, reading plugs has become pretty much impossible, even with 2 stroke engines.

Other than plugs that are solid black or pure white, they offer very little useful info when it comes to diagnosing the condition of your engine.

Waxy