I didnt REALLY need to replace my plugs...

[CdnCory]

I mean, this is normal right?

On another note.. Does it mean anything when all the plugs on the drivers side were like this, but all the ones on the pass. side looked in far better shape, and still had a 52 thou gap?

Cory

 

[Redrig]

Yeah, thats normal. Infact just take some sand paper to get some of that build up off and it will be like new again..

 

[CdnCory]

The gap on the left three was 70 thou, it IS normal to have this much of a difference between the left and right side plugs?

 

[Opera House]

I woul think all three on drivers means you have a leak of something that is building up deposits. Could be oil from the PCV or tranny fluid from the vacuum modulator valve. 70 is way too high a gap.

 

[Mbrooks420]

That's a disgusting plug. Certainly no where near what it should look like. I'd check the things Opera House has listed. I'd fix the problem, and run some seafoam to try and cleanup the build up that has to be in the motor. Does the truck ever make a pinging sound under load?

 

[CdnCory]

Well, it DID make a pinging sound under the hood. I looked around and found out that you cant buy Seafoam in Canada, and I was scared to ask how much Ford charges to clean off the carbon deposits. I cleaned off my MAF sensor and the pinging stopped and there was a noticable power increase. When I replaced the plugs, the X drove the same, hopefully i'll notice a increase in milage.

I owned a Jeep Cherokee with a 4.0L, I6 in it before I had my X, and it seems like that thing has way more power than my X. I am trying to do these little things because it seems to me that it is pretty gutless...


Cory

 

[Alec]

While a large difference in wear between banks isn't normal, a certain amount is on these motors. This is because of the type of ignition system they use: a paired "waste spark" coil pack. On one side of the motor the spark travels from the strap to the center, opposite on the other side. This can create uneven wear.

 

[Paul Gagnon]

I woul think all three on drivers means you have a leak of something that is building up deposits. Could be oil from the PCV or tranny fluid from the vacuum modulator valve. .

I would have to strongly dissagree. The plug is simply old and worn out. Looking at the deposits it appears to be easily within the range of what a "normal" colouration would be for a spark plug.

 

[hermitrl]

I found Sea Foam in Ontario. 10 bucks a can. Light brown deposits on the plug is normal--but those need to be changed.

 

[CdnCory]

So this problem is most likely caused by carbon build-up (I'd assume form ppl recommending Seafoam)? But that wouldnt produce un even wear between the two banks would it?

And hermitrl, where did you find Seafoam?

 

[Mbrooks420]

Did you read Alec's post? Are those factory plugs?

 

[ve4ron]

I just changed my plugs this weekend and found the same problem , the plug on the drivers side have a lot more ware on them than the passenger side .

You can buy SeaFoam at all Piston Ring dealers in Canada.