these spark plugs came out of a 2001 s2k w/ 100k miles. they might be the original plugs. what you guys think?

 

Gaps had opened up as the electrodes wore down, lots of gas seepage out the bodies and up the insulators. Good time to have changed them. The firing ends look clean, air fuel ratio looks to be right on mark.

 

These came out of my 2005 with 30,000 miles. Cylinders are in order 1,2,3,4 from left to right. The ground electrode was white on 1 and 4 and a nice chocolate color on 2 and 3. Cylinder 4 center electrode had eroded and wasn't as pointed as the other 3. I was surprised the gaps were so large @ 30k miles.

Gap measurements:

1-.050"
2-.049"
3-.049"
4-.052"

 

I kind of preach that people should check their plugs much earlier than 100,000 miles, the thought of leaving plugs in place for that long just doesn't sit well with me. When I bought my used s2000 it had 50,000 miles on it, and all of the gaps were past the service limit of .051". Every car is a bit different though.

I'm surprised your gaps were that large at 30k miles, but it can happen I guess. I don't know if your gaps had opened up due to erosion of the electrodes or if someone messed with them, but they look really off to the naked eye.

Cylinders 2 and 3 tend to run hotter, which may explain some differences.

 

i'd also want to take them out sooner than 100,000 just so they're easier to take out later.

darcy

 

I should have added that the gaps were off when I took the photo because I opened them up before taking the pictures. I wanted to see how easy it was to open them without touching the center electrodes. They didn't looked off when I pulled them out, but I kind of doubt they were gapped @ .039" from the factory.

 

Oh that explains the appearance. Every oem plug I've seen does come at .039" though, so the gaps do open up as the electrodes erode, some quicker than others. Some may make it to 100,000, and some don't .