Spark Plugs

**oobxlr8r** · 06-29-2007, 10:57 PM

Recently had my plugs changed for the 30K service... I got "my plugs" back. I say it like that because I don't know if they are really my plugs... I mean to post some pictures of them but i'll have to do that tomorrow (I loaned my card reader to a friend, sorry)... But I was wondering how you tell if something is wrong with a plug that will determine if there is a problem with your motor. I haven't taken detailed pics of each plug (too many pics) but I have taken some of the plugs in general...

note on the 3rd and fourth plugs on the circular setup. I was wondering if I should be worried about how far up the plug is darkened on the threads on this one plug in relation to the rest. and is the fourth plug ideal??? other than that... I left them big so that you can see them close up...

**Moe's Performance** · 06-30-2007, 11:41 AM

The plugs shouldn't have a big buildup of black on them for one thing, if you have that then you're running rich. Let's see a pic.

**oobxlr8r** · 06-30-2007, 10:49 PM

bump for pictures added

**oobxlr8r** · 07-03-2007, 11:24 PM

so... nobody has an answer to any of the questions above, no responses... well thanks guys, thanks alot.

**05magmn** · 07-04-2007, 12:10 AM

Sorry I figured fnky would handle this, I have not reread the thread since your first post. That being said, 3 of the plugs look slightly dark, and the electrodes are showing a little wear on all the plugs, (they are starting to look a little rounded on the edges, the spark will jump the gap easier with sharp edges on both sides). Over all they look pretty good I think at least. On the bottom pic, the bottom front plug looks like it may have a little alumm. on it from the head so it was a good idea to get them out before they siezed in to the head.

**BoiseHemi** · 07-04-2007, 01:00 AM

They are supposed to be good for 100,000 miles. I think the 30,000 is just a big rip off. Got a new book on modded the LX's and they have a small artical about how no parts houses had plugs for our rides in stock at first because they were good for so long and no one was near 100k yet. Anyway I think they are just using and excuse to get more money out of us.

**1fastsedan** · 07-04-2007, 01:10 AM

Originally Posted by BoiseHemi

They are supposed to be good for 100,000 miles. I think the 30,000 is just a big rip off. Got a new book on modded the LX's and they have a small artical about how no parts houses had plugs for our rides in stock at first because they were good for so long and no one was near 100k yet. Anyway I think they are just using and excuse to get more money out of us.

The 5.7L Hemi uses copper core plugs that will need to be replaced much earlier than platinum (or irridium) plugs. The recommended interval is 30,000 miles, though some have gone as high as 50,000 miles without difficulty. The 3.5L HO V6 and the 6.1L Hemi both come with platinum plugs stock, so they have the 100,000 mile change interval.

Here is some more info on the subject: LX original equipment spark plugs *

**BoiseHemi** · 07-04-2007, 08:15 AM

Well I guess the book needs to be a little more specific or I need to read better.....damn hooked on monkey phonics! LOL! Thanks for the correction.

**sidetrack** · 07-04-2007, 09:24 AM

Nice pics.

**05magmn** · 07-04-2007, 07:50 PM

I would worry about any 100k plugs in a alum. head, ford runs these in alot of motors and when u take them out after that long it is common that u take the threads out of the head with them.

**JMatt** · 07-04-2007, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by 05magmn

I would worry about any 100k plugs in a alum. head, ford runs these in alot of motors and when u take them out after that long it is common that u take the threads out of the head with them.

I just changed my SRT-8 plugs today after 31,000 miles and 28 months. A couple of plugs were already pretty tough to get out. I wouldn't be surprised to see people ruining threads if they wait eight years and/or 100,000 miles before they first pull a plug.

**oobxlr8r** · 07-04-2007, 11:25 PM

Originally Posted by sidetrack

Nice pics.

I wanted to stack them in a 4x4 pattern but it was too aggrivating...

Thanks to all the guys out there that responded... your info won't fall upon deaf ears.

**Dutch** · 07-07-2007, 02:11 PM

Those plugs look absolutely fine to me.

You ask if you can tell by looking at the plugs if there's something wrong with the engine, and yes, you absolutely can. Check out the back page of a Chilton's manual sometime when you're at the store - they all have color pics of bad spark plugs so you know what to look for. I've changed an awful lot of plugs in my day, and yours all look fine. The darkness on the threads varying between the plugs doesn't mean anything. The brown stuff on the electrodes is from gas and it's normal. The most likely condition you'd find would be a bit of oil on some of the plugs, especially towards the back of the engine. That was common in Mopar big blocks, and the back plugs on one side in my Charger had a little oil on them, but yours all look great.

**Tbird100636** · 07-08-2007, 12:20 AM

Originally Posted by Dutch

Those plugs look absolutely fine to me.

You ask if you can tell by looking at the plugs if there's something wrong with the engine, and yes, you absolutely can. Check out the back page of a Chilton's manual sometime when you're at the store - they all have color pics of bad spark plugs so you know what to look for. I've changed an awful lot of plugs in my day, and yours all look fine. The darkness on the threads varying between the plugs doesn't mean anything. The brown stuff on the electrodes is from gas and it's normal. The most likely condition you'd find would be a bit of oil on some of the plugs, especially towards the back of the engine. That was common in Mopar big blocks, and the back plugs on one side in my Charger had a little oil on them, but yours all look great.

If you can't find Chiltons, there's always Haynes.