I don't really know how to read spark plugs, so I was hoping someone here could take a look at them for me.

Backstory...last summer my oil cap came off while driving. Oil everywhere. So that will probably be the reason for the wetness on a couple of the plugs. Any suggestions on how to get down there and clean it out?

First off, I wanted to look at my valve retainers. I can't really tell, but it looks like they are still the AP1 retainers. However, they all look like this...and from what I could find from searching, they are still good.








Onto the spark plugs. These are in order from the back of the engine (near the driver) to the front.

First, this is the plug connector. I'm going to clean it off, but wanted to take a picture of it, in case it was bad.










next plug






Next plug






Last one.

 

I would change them out. a few look a bit worn and one or two appear to be wet, although that could be because you just started the car for a quick second and it left some unburnt gas on the plug.

 

plugs are done. Worth spending the extra money to get new ones cause you're due for a change. GL

 

mileage on plugs?

 

2 plugs would definetely need to be changed.

But do all 4 always.

I cannot give opinion on how retainers are, I'm learning too

 

All 4 plugs should be changed for good measure. As for the retainers, it is really hard to tell at all unless you do a more thorough search by taking out the cams. Even then, you won't be able to catch a hairline crack unless you take out the retainers and do a close visual inspection.

On a side note, does anyone know what the spots on the top of his retainers are? I just got done doing my retainers and I didn't have any of them, but I just helped my friend with his, and he had them on every single one.

 

Thanks everyone. I am not sure the mileage on the plugs. I've already bought the new ones, so I'll be replacing them.

As I stated before, my oil cap had popped off last summer, so I'm sure there was some oil that got down there. Any suggestions for cleaning it out down in the plug hole?

As for the retainers...I know there is a visual difference between the AP1 retainer and the AP2 retainer. But I cannot tell. I was hoping that a more experienced person (Billman perhaps) would be able to tell me. If they were for sure AP1, I would be more inclined to just change them out regardless if they were bad or not. And I'm not sure what the spots are either.

 

I had a sparkplug out today (with 22k miles) and the electrode and tip looked much 'whiter' than yours. None of that dark brown and black crud that you have on your plugs; they look rather 'wet' I would say! Mine were totally dry. (I did have the same brown circle on the outside porcelain). Is your car running very rich?

BTW, make sure to get ..XXX....11S plugs!!


Siepel

 

i would use a clean lint free towel to clean the oil

 

retainers look fine, I don't see any need to touch them.

How many miles on the plugs ?. Your engine could be running a bit rich, but they are cold plugs and some fuel additives will colour the porcelain. Mine were dark like that after 55k miles. Swap the plugs for new ones, I like the Iridum version for replacement BKR7EIX-11. Oil seepage on the plugs could have caused the darker colour, or you might need a new primary 02 sensor.

For the oil problem this is what I would do: I would reinstall the plugs after you dry them off, use compressed air to blow out any crud in the plug holes, then use rags and screwdrivers to dry out the plug holes. Pull out the plugs and use a vacuum cleaner on each plug hole to suck up any loose stuff. Give the holes another drying up with rags and then install new plugs.