another spark plug ?

[2000XPLORERSPORT]

ok, so i did the seafoam treatment last thursday at autozones parking lot. i poured half the bottle in the gas tank, then used the booster vacum hose and sucked the rest up through the upper intake. but now when i floor it, at times it makes kinda a popping noise from under the hood or maybe its coming from the exhaust. i used seafoam a couple other times, but after like a day or two, the noise would go away. is there a chance i fouled the plugs? any input? thanks a lot.

 

[Tavery1]

I'm not sure on the popping but, there has been a few things I've read about seafoam fouling the plugs. When all else fails take a look.

 

[rookieshooter]

Plenty of times after using some kind of carbon remover stuff I would have to pull plugs. Ususally it's a piece of crap between the tip and electrode.

 

[2000XPLORERSPORT]

well i been debating on changing the plugs anyway. i got another thread about what plugs to go with. and my mind is made up with motorcraft platinum plugs. i just wanted to wait atleast another 10-15,000 miles sinse theres only about 37,000 miles on my current plugs. but i might just go ahead and replace them. i'll pull them, take a look and go from there.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Yup- general consensus is to Seaform when you're going to replace the plugs, as it 99% of the time will foul them up during the process...

 

[2000XPLORERSPORT]

Yup- general consensus is to Seaform when you're going to replace the plugs, as it 99% of the time will foul them up during the process...

could that cause the p-0171 & p-0174 bank 1 & 2 lean problem? i haven't got that code in quite a while, but i have gotten it a lot of times. this is i believe the second time i seafoamed with these plugs. the truck runs fine though. just when its floored, it makes a popping sound sometimes. i don't floor it often.

 

[Anime]

You can clean plugs, especially if they're just fouled up with the crusty stuff from cleaners, as long as it's not completely baked on there.

Use a soft brush (soft toothbrushes work great), and maybe some electrical cleaner, or even carb/intake cleaner if that's all you have. Brush the crud off the electrode gently, and just take your time until it's down to the metal without using any force. You might also want to check the gap if you've been having issues with codes and driveability, and adjust if needed so all six plugs match up.

Pull the battery cable before you remove the plugs, then reconnect it when you're done, start the motor, let it idle for 5 minutes, then go for a spin to let the ECU re-learn it's stuff. If you still get the lean condition codes, or the engine runs poorly when floored, you might have other issues. I'd say use a top-tier brand name detergent gas (Chevron, Shell, etc.) to take care of any injector issues, maybe check the fuel filter, and all other components in the air intake and fuel delivery systems, including the other sensors and associated wiring.

 

[2000XPLORERSPORT]

You can clean plugs, especially if they're just fouled up with the crusty stuff from cleaners, as long as it's not completely baked on there.

Use a soft brush (soft toothbrushes work great), and maybe some electrical cleaner, or even carb/intake cleaner if that's all you have. Brush the crud off the electrode gently, and just take your time until it's down to the metal without using any force. You might also want to check the gap if you've been having issues with codes and driveability, and adjust if needed so all six plugs match up.

Pull the battery cable before you remove the plugs, then reconnect it when you're done, start the motor, let it idle for 5 minutes, then go for a spin to let the ECU re-learn it's stuff. If you still get the lean condition codes, or the engine runs poorly when floored, you might have other issues. I'd say use a top-tier brand name detergent gas (Chevron, Shell, etc.) to take care of any injector issues, maybe check the fuel filter, and all other components in the air intake and fuel delivery systems, including the other sensors and associated wiring.

yea i might try that before replacing the plugs. i mean i would like to get a little more mileage out of them. i got a gap tool now, so i will check the gap. i use shell 93 octane v-power. i switched to shell about 9 months ago when i saw they use that nitrogen cleaning and protection stuff. the fuel filter is only about 6 months old. i haven't got them lean codes in a long time. i would say at least 8-10 months ago. i would like to check the fuel pressure. i see where it screws on. theres a blue valve stem like cap on the fuel rail. i would like to hook up a fuel pressure gauge permently, but no sure on how to go about it......

 

[2000StreetRod]

Sea Foam

Many forum members strongly encourage the use of Sea Foam. I never put anything in my fuel tank besides fuel and Techron fuel injector cleaner. I would consider using Sea Foam to clean my intake manifolds and ports if I didn't have to burn it. I fear that it and the deposits it loosens could damage my plugs and O2 sensors. It probably doesn't do the catalytic converters any good either.

I'm confident that you will receive contrary opinions from the Sea Foam supporters even though they sometimes have to change their plugs after using it.

 

[2000XPLORERSPORT]

Many forum members strongly encourage the use of Sea Foam. I never put anything in my fuel tank besides fuel and Techron fuel injector cleaner. I would consider using Sea Foam to clean my intake manifolds and ports if I didn't have to burn it. I fear that it and the deposits it loosens could damage my plugs and O2 sensors. It probably doesn't do the catalytic converters any good either.

I'm confident that you will receive contrary opinions from the Sea Foam supporters even though they sometimes have to change their plugs after using it.

yea i agree. i usually just run shell 93 octane v-power and put in about 5 ounces of lucas fuel injector cleaner every two weeks. this seafoam treatment i did last thursday was just the second time i ever did it.

 

[jonlax]

93 octane?

are you running 14.1 compression or do you like just wasting money?

 

[2000XPLORERSPORT]

93 octane?

are you running 14.1 compression or do you like just wasting money?

lol, i have no idea what my compression ratio is. its just because i have a sct xcal-2 programmer from james with a tune for 93 octane.

 

[2000XPLORERSPORT]

ok, just got back from autozone. i was going to buy a fuel pressure gauge, but at $39.99, i didn't have the loot at this time. so i purchased 6 motorcraft platinum spark plugs at $4.99 each. not sure when i will put them in, but at least i got them when ready. i checked one of the plugs with my gap tool, and it was only like .040 or .041. thats just one plug. i will check them all and get them at .054.

 

[2000XPLORERSPORT]

ok, i just replaced the plugs today. i haven't taken it for a test drive yet. i started it, let it run and everything sounds fine. i'll probably go for a spin tomorrow.