spark plug foul...need advice

**myk02k** · 12-04-2006, 06:48 PM

I just changed my plugs today at 67,000 miles and cylinder 7 (all the way back, driver's side) had a significant amount of gunk on it. It looks like oil but smells like gasoline.

The only thing that may be tied to this is when my car is cold started, it will make a slight ticking noise until at operating temperature. I didn't recognize it until cold-starting it under 50 degrees. The colder it gets, the more prevalant the noise. This may be a seperate issue but who knows.

Sorry for the blurry image, but as you can see compared to another pulled plug at cylinder 5, the cylinder 7 plug has a lot of contaminants on it. It's more like a film around the threads, but on the top it has a black sludgy look like burnt oil does, but as I said it smells like gas.

**myk02k** · 12-04-2006, 08:34 PM

nobody?!?!?

**autotrix** · 12-04-2006, 08:52 PM

Here is a thought,
Check your injector for proper operation, make sure it is pulsing and not stuck open. Ohm it. Check your injector pulse with a noid light (or test light) to make sure its not a solid light while cranking or running.

**89LX** · 12-05-2006, 02:48 AM

If it is a new plug and you have ticking it might be your wires. I changed out my plugs and wires and had a new ticking sound. One plug wire was not popped all the way on. I would check those and not worry about the previous fouled plug. Might be nothing.

**sunsetorangess** · 12-05-2006, 03:55 AM

As far as the sludge on the threads i wouldnt be to concernd with that. could be just build up or a leaky valve cover. Like said above take a look at your injector(s). If you can get a clearer picture that would work better. If your tips look somewhat the same and arent burnt then you should be ok. Just a plug with alot of miles on it. I would replace and drive a thousand miles or so and pull out and see what it looks like. Make sure your wires are on tight.
As far as the ticking, its an ls1 thing.
J

**myk02k** · 12-05-2006, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by 89LX

If it is a new plug and you have ticking it might be your wires. I changed out my plugs and wires and had a new ticking sound. One plug wire was not popped all the way on. I would check those and not worry about the previous fouled plug. Might be nothing.

the ticking isn't new.

both of those plugs shown are used, with #7 having a significant more wear on it. I'm tempted to pull off my valve covers and check the condition of #7's rocker arm, because it looks more like oil than gas.