What should I know and be doing when Spark Plugs that look like this?

[Toran]

Hello Good People,
I just cannot seem to close this thread.
After doing a seafoam injection cleaning followed by changing the spark plugs the truck was running fine for what seemed like a couple of months, until last week I got another CEL 1316P. Everytime it came down to the replacing the cylinder #6 spark plug.
I have yet to do a compression test but what else should I be looking for?

Could this be the result of a leaky fuel injector? I recall a couple of years ago I would get some fuel vapors coming inside the cabin when first taking off any given day. If I drove the car again that day I would not smell anything. I never replaced anything and yet it smell pretty much went away. It was definitely coming from under the hood and not the rear.

As a side note the truck used to get more highway miles. This probably helped to mask some things like keeping carbon from building up. These days as in 2020 really no highway miles, just locale city driving to grocery, 5 - 15 mile trips etc.

Scratching my head...
What are your thoughts?

HISTORY:
Sept 2018. I put on:
Two resurfaced heads
Gaskets
Fuel Filter
Oil change
Air Filter
New Plug Wires - the good stuff
New Spark Plugs - Champion Copper

August 2020
New Spark Plugs - E3.46

Oct 2020
New O2 Sensors
New Spark Plugs - NGK 7131
After nearly two months the same bad looking #6 spark plug

Dec 2020
Running rough with the return of 1316P code.



Thanks

 

[discostew]

It's oil. Probably a valve guide seal, but possibly coming from the cylinder. I would take the intake manifold off it and see if either one of the valves in #6 look like that plug. If you had a boroscope you could probably get a look with just the plug out and the valve open.

 

[Toran]

Thanks for the quick response.
I am without a garage and exposed to the Winter elements at the moment. The thought of taking off the intake manifold outside right now just aint in the cards. I am allergic to outdoor work when temps are below 20degrees with ice and snow.

What are my other options beside the super temporary fix of replacing the spark plug?

Thanks

 

[Flyfish]

Whatever is causing the plug to get that funky is definitely top priority. But it may be worth inspecting the exhaust manifold around #6 to see if that’s adding to the problem. I’ve seen a bad manifold gasket throw 1316 since it’s an emissions code.

 

[Toran]

True, whatever is causing the plug to get that funky is top priority. I just need to be able to get to it in a timely fashion with Winter upon us.

Pretty sure its not a manifold gasket.
Oct 2020 I replaced the entire exhaust system.
New exhaust manifolds with gaskets from Paul Grant.
New (4) O2 sensors.
New muffler.
New Everything related to exhaust.

Thanks

 

[Jimmy]

Does "resurfaced heads" mean that was the only work done to them? Not a full rebuild?

May as well try a spark plug non-fouler since the source of the problem won't be tackled for awhile. I've never tried one of these on a vehicle with a computer, so no idea if it is recommended. Likely wouldn't make things worse.

 

[Toran]

Hey Jimmy,
Back in 2018 I picked up a set of reconditioned heads from a reseller. They arrived with new springs / seals / valves etc. and looked new. I put the new ones on, and shipped the old ones back to them.

And a spark plug non-fouler that would fit our spark plugs?

Thanks

 

[Jimmy]

And a spark plug non-fouler that would fit our spark plugs?

Thanks

Did you even try to look it up for yourself?

 

[Toran]

Yes, just checking in as to see if anyone has used them in the past with a degree of success. I had one on an old lawn mower back in the day.

Just asking because there are so many mods out there that are beyond my scope of what I would have ever thought.

 

[Jimmy]

Advance Auto Parts - Down for Maintenance

See if this looks up for fitting.

 

[Toran]

I was thinking it would be the 14mm ones that would fit.

 

[Jimmy]

I was thinking it would be the 14mm ones that would fit.

Yep, it would be. Guess I grabbed the wrong link. Bet you could have found it too: https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...s-14mm-gasket-seat-long-reach-42004/5014972-P

 

[Toran]

Still I appreciate you taking time to help, its given me some perspective.
Thanks

 

[Flyfish]

True, whatever is causing the plug to get that funky is top priority. I just need to be able to get to it in a timely fashion with Winter upon us.

Pretty sure its not a manifold gasket.
Oct 2020 I replaced the entire exhaust system.
New exhaust manifolds with gaskets from Paul Grant.
New (4) O2 sensors.
New muffler.
New Everything related to exhaust.

Thanks

Gotcha, didn’t realize that. Maybe check compression in that cylinder just to see what it points to.

 

[ptschram]

Gotcha, didn’t realize that. Maybe check compression in that cylinder just to see what it points to.

I am certain we will find low compression on that cylinder

what remains to be seen is, is it coming through the valve guides, curiously worn rings (as aid expect them all to wear equally), or a missing bitsa piston

rather than check compression, more would likely be learned by pressurizing that cylinder and looking/listening for where it is leaking-intake? Exhaust? Crankcase?

a borescope is your friend! It has saved me from a few tear downs just to find broken pistons

 

[Toran]

Thank you All,
I am listening and learning, and getting ready to apply this new knowledge.

 

[Flyfish]

rather than check compression, more would likely be learned by pressurizing that cylinder and looking/listening for where it is leaking-intake? Exhaust? Crankcase?

Any old spark plug and air fitting is an easy way to pressurize a cylinder.. FYI

 

[Toran]

Any old spark plug and air fitting is an easy way to pressurize a cylinder.. FYI

View attachment 60331

Thanks for the reply to Everyone.

Say I had one of these gizmo, how much pressure should be air pressure should be applied?

How did you create that little gizmo anyway? Any welding etc? I have no welder so wondering.

Thanks

 

[Flyfish]

Thanks for the reply to Everyone.

Say I had one of these gizmo, how much pressure should be air pressure should be applied?

How did you create that little gizmo anyway? Any welding etc? I have no welder so wondering.

Thanks

I would say around 10lbs, or no more than 15lbs. Won’t take much to see where the air is going.

Cut an old spark plug and either weld or solder an air fitting. Break off the porcelain and then drill out the guts.

 

[Toran]

Very nice!
I appreciate the response and insight.
Thank you