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View Full Version : Follow up to, runs like ass and sputters

TsiEagleTalon92
10-31-2008, 05:07 PM
I took my plugs out today to look at them and this is what they looked like. I don't know if these indicate how my car is running or if I am really running rich or lean or not?

Looking at these plugs the corresponding cylinder is 4-3-2-1. When I pulled plugs 1 & 4 out there was oil on the outer cases and I don't know what to make of this. There is no oil on the inside tubes where the spark plugs are held but it doesn't seem like it is leaking anywhere. I am thinking this may be left over oil from my bad/old valve cover gasket. If not.. Head gasket?

Are the side electrodes supposed to look white like this?

Now I know that I have not had these spark plugs in for even a 1000 miles yet but if it is possible to tell if I am running rich or lean or normal I can get some things out of the way to move on to other things I can think of that are making my car misfire so much and crap out at 4grand.

Somewhere/something that is making my car run so bad is only allowing me to get a whopping 18mpg while babying it.
OmgAwd
10-31-2008, 05:21 PM
You installed the FPR from an NA model right?

And yes that oil on the outercases is from a bad seal on your oil filler cap in most cases.
twack
10-31-2008, 05:32 PM
You installed the FPR from an NA model right?

And yes that oil on the outercases is from a bad seal on your oil filler cap in most cases.
or cracked valve cover, or a loose valvecover bolt
TsiEagleTalon92
10-31-2008, 05:35 PM
I think the FPR is from a turbo block. I couldn't find anywhere where it could tell me if there was a difference from a turbo or n/a model.

There is oil all over the valley of my valve cover but it has to be coming from the tiny holes that are by the filler cap. My cap looks good to me. the only crack that I noticed is on the outside of the cover in plain view in the middle but it doesn't leak. My bolts were re-snugged monday or tuesday
TsiEagleTalon92
10-31-2008, 05:44 PM
If anyone lives close to me that has a compression tester and a vacuum gauge I would love to become best friends.
Febo
10-31-2008, 05:51 PM
Those plugs make it look like your almost running lean. Not ultra lean, but on the lean side for sure. Just my $.02 I could be wrong.
TsiEagleTalon92
10-31-2008, 05:53 PM
When I'm cold and it decided to start like shit it'll shoot rich exhaust but probably leans out like that after warming up ( I know cars start out rich ) but mine is a just a little too damn excessive.
Kevin 1G Drummer
10-31-2008, 05:55 PM
The only real way to read the plugs is to do a pull, then immediatly shut the engine down. If you do a pull, drive it for a little while, let it idle ahnd shut it off the plugs won't show what's going under load cuz it will have burnt off everything and will look like it's runing lean.
TsiEagleTalon92
10-31-2008, 05:58 PM
Good to know but what should I do for now if I am unable to do a pull per say because of its inability to get over 3800-4000rpms for some reason? I am able to go high when it't hot but I think it comes back again when I'm around 5-6000rpms. Though I only remember doing it once and having it happen that time.