New-looking plugs.

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Dec 10, 2007 | 12:07 AM

alarsso4

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From: Gothenburg Sweden

New-looking plugs.

I changed the plugs in January, Autolite std, and they are still pure white in the color. Normally it will be a little tan by the time but can it run too lean for some reason?

96-F150 5.8 E4OD

Dec 10, 2007 | 06:21 AM

netscaner

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From: Solon, Ohio

Clean doesn't mean lean.

That's a good sign, not a bad one.

Dec 10, 2007 | 06:32 AM

Skandocious

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From: Davis & Newcastle, CA

LOL, that's what I was thinking. You're concerned about your truck running well/clean?

And are you speaking of the porcelain insulation on the outside end of the plug or the spark element inside? I'm not sure how a lean mixture would affect the color of the porcelain, you're assuming that a lean mixture would bring the combustion chamber temp down and therefore lack of heat would prevent the porcelain from discoloring? I suppose that makes sense... But those plugs aren't really that old. The number of months isn't a very good indicator though, how many MILES have you put on those new plugs?

Dec 10, 2007 | 08:20 AM

netscaner

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From: Solon, Ohio

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skandocious

I'm not sure how a lean mixture would affect the color of the porcelain, you're assuming that a lean mixture would bring the combustion chamber temp down and therefore lack of heat would prevent the porcelain from discoloring? I suppose that makes sense...

Lean means a higher combustion chamber temp which means it cooks off any black from oil or gas.

And white means clean
And yellowish brown means used but good mixture

And yellowish and blistered porcelain means lean and overheated.

Dec 10, 2007 | 08:38 AM

Skandocious

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From: Davis & Newcastle, CA

Thanks for the clarification netscaner (I wanna say you're name is Andy... no?)

Always love knowing little tricks of the trade like that

Dec 10, 2007 | 10:04 AM

alarsso4

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From: Gothenburg Sweden

Thanks guys!
I'm not really worried about the color, just observing ,and because of terrible gasprice here in Sweden, I've only driven around 2-3000 miles since January, mostly short trips. At the vehicleispection, when the truck was in, they told me the exhausts was very clean, nearly too clean!?. Unfortunately, it doesn't mean I get good milage.
I will be happy whith the color!

Dec 10, 2007 | 10:56 AM

netscaner

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From: Solon, Ohio

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skandocious

Thanks for the clarification netscaner (I wanna say you're name is Andy... no?)

Always love knowing little tricks of the trade like that

Yep,..........It's Andy.

Inside the back cover of most Haynes manuals I have seen, they have a display of plugs in various conditions and an explaination of what each was caused by.