Spark plug condition

Technical advice Q&A
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rswaffie
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#1 Spark plug condition

Post by rswaffie » Sun May 31, 2020 7:41 pm

Hi
I decided to check the condition of my bpr5es plugs after 400 miles of running in my rebuilt 3.8 engine.
My question relates to plugs 1 and 6, as the others seem ok. Plug 1 was a bit wet with an oily substance and the electrode is quite sooty. Plug 6 also seems sooty but not wet but it does have some sort of crusting around the top. Any thought as the what may cause the condition of 1 and 6, and do the others look ok?

Plugs 1 & 2, (1 on the right)

Image

Plugs 3 & 4, (3 on the right)


Image

Plugs 5 and 6, (5 on the right)

Image

And a closer view of number 1

Image
Richard

Previous owner and restorer of a S1 3.8 FHC Opalescent Golden Sand with Tan Trim 889504 (now sold and headed for Athens)

:swerve: :wrench: :hammer: :fingerscrossed:

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cactusman
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#2 Re: Spark plug condition

Post by cactusman » Sun May 31, 2020 7:58 pm

They look pretty OK to me with the exception of no 1 which looks mildly sooty.....I'd not be concerned...
Julian the E-type man
1962 FHC
1966 MGB....fab little car too

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Series1 Stu
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#3 Re: Spark plug condition

Post by Series1 Stu » Mon Jun 01, 2020 8:36 am

The crust on number 6 could be from water standing in the plug well. Possibly getting in through the louvres? This will obviously evaporate off when the engine runs.

Regards
Stuart

If you can't make it work, make it complicated!

'62 FHC - Nearing completion
'69 Daimler 420 Sovereign
'78 Land Rover Series 3 109

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#4 Re: Spark plug condition

Post by rswaffie » Mon Jun 01, 2020 8:43 am

Thanks guys.
Richard

Previous owner and restorer of a S1 3.8 FHC Opalescent Golden Sand with Tan Trim 889504 (now sold and headed for Athens)

:swerve: :wrench: :hammer: :fingerscrossed:

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ralphr1780
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#5 Re: Spark plug condition

Post by ralphr1780 » Tue Jun 02, 2020 8:15 am

Richard, sorry to say but your plugs do not look pretty to me, some matters should be addressed.
For comparison, here is a pic of my plugs after 1500km:
Image
Ralph
'69 OTS + '62 OTS - Belgium

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#6 Re: Spark plug condition

Post by rswaffie » Tue Jun 02, 2020 8:26 am

I’ve replaced them with new and will check again at 750 miles.
Richard

Previous owner and restorer of a S1 3.8 FHC Opalescent Golden Sand with Tan Trim 889504 (now sold and headed for Athens)

:swerve: :wrench: :hammer: :fingerscrossed:

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