Reading Spark Plugs

[Chief Brody]

These are just like they were when I took them out of the engine a few months ago....they got some dust sticking to them, but other than that I know nothing about them...how long they have been in there...if they were new or just slammed in there at the last minute.

What I do know is that when I had it running it cranked on the first bump and it did not smoke.

Do these spark plugs tell any of you gear heads anything about the condition of the engine?

 

[Chief Brody]

more

 

[y5mgisi]

Not an expert, but i would say most those show signs of a semi worn engine. Looks to be a decent amount of oil build up on them. Aside from that, it looks like it was running pretty well ideal as far as rich/lean goes with it riding a little bit on the rich side.

 

[y5mgisi]

Spark plug guide.

http://www.mudinmyblood.net/forum/view.php?pg=sprkplgchrt

 

[Chief Brody]

The electrodes appear healthy in all of them...they still have their edges...but a few seem to have glazing on the insulator...can't really tell...knowing nothing about the plugs...but they all have oil on them and in the threads

 

[y5mgisi]

How many miles are on the motor?

 

[Chief Brody]

How many miles are on the motor?

No way of knowing...no receipts...no maintenance records...nothing

 

[y5mgisi]

The plugs make me say around 100k-120k. If thats the case, i would say you have two options. Rebuild the motor knowing that its kinda worn, or keep running it knowing that its kinda worn but still ran good. Im going to wait and let others chime in to confirm that, but thats what i would be guessing. On the flip side, it could just be worn valve guides/seals letting oil in the combustion chambers and the cylinders could be good. Probably the best thing to do would be a leak down test. That would tell you if the motor is in good condition but needs a little head work, or if the motor is in need of a rebuild.