white crusty stuff on spark plugs

[GenerationX]

I checked my plugs and #2 and #5 had white/tan/yellowish crusty stuff on the ground electrode. It was hard as a rock, i had a hard time with a knife and sandpaper to get this stuff off. The gap was a little eroded too. There were about 25k on these autolite single platinum. What is this stuff? Is there oil getting into #2 & #5 ? It's not using any oil that I can tell. When I change my oil it does smell a little like gas. Where would the oil be leaking in from? And does anyone know why its only the middle cylinder in each bank? The other plugs looked beautiful for 25000 miles on them. Thanks.

 

[GenerationX]

need help! anyone with any ideas???

 

[Robb]

gearlo40,

From the trusty Hayne's Manual:

ASH DEPOSITS

Symptoms: Light brown deposits encrusted on the side on center electrodes or both. Derived from oil and/or fuel additives. Excessive amounts may mask the spark, causing misfiring and hesitation during acceleration.

Recommendations: If excessive deposits accumulate over a short time or low mileage, install new valve guide seals to prevent seepage of oil into the combustion chambers. Also try changing gasoline brands.

Since you are only getting it in 2 jugs, I think you can throw out the additives or fuel brand theories. Sorry about that.

Robb

 

[GenerationX]

damn I was afraid of that. I hope I can take it easy on her. I wonder if it has anything to do with the way the rod tips wear on those motors and torque the rockers in a different direction. Maybe my truck is a good candidate for a V-8 conversion in the next year. I need more power so why not?

 

[Robb]

Make it a real project man. Throw out the computer and drop a 351, 390, or 428. It would be the X conversion of all time!

Robb

 

[GenerationX]

oh yea!! that's the spirit. i don't know how much cutting & fabricating that would take but that would be bad!! has anyone here seen a 351 or an old FE in an X?

 

[Robb]

302 in X

It isn't a 351 or big block, but it is a carbed 302 in an X. I would love to do this to the project X I'm thinking about, just because it makes everything so much more simple. As long as the emission guys don't come around.

Robb

 

[88vert]

Could that be your intake gasket doing that to your plugs one of my plugs has that color on it #5

 

[94EBexplorer]

water in oil.... do you wheel it?

 

[Luv2explorer]

I have the same problem with my 92x. It is a very common problem, and there isnt really a cheap fix. I've been told to retighten the lower intake manifold, that didnt work. A few other things, and nothing worked. I went out and bought an oil additive, one that seals things up inside. Now instead of replacing those 2 plugs every month, its about every 3 months. I know it's not really a fix, but I dont have the money to throw in a rebuilt. I have a chance of getting a 302 for xheap, i might put that in.

 

[GenerationX]

I don't think it's water in my oil, like I said it's only on two of the plugs. I guess it could be an intake gasket going bad that might be letting oil or water get into the cylinder. I don't 4 wheel it; it rarely sees dirt except for in the driveway. I'll try tightening down the manifold and see if that helps. Thanks to all that responded.

 

[Alec]

Hmmm, intake manifold/manifold gasket seems to be the problem. It can only be in 2 of the pots because the seal is still good in places. Good luck!

 

[GenerationX]

thanks for your input, Alec. It would probably do no good to tighten the manifold if the gaskets bad, so I'll plan on doing gaskets this summer. Then I can clean the 8 years of gunk form the inside of the upper plenum...