Spark Plugs RED HOT!

[Streettuner]

I have a 99 mustang gt with the 4.6 and i went to change the plugs and the plugs are red like their burnt. wtf. what could be causing that? thanks

[Nemesis]

Red? Im sure you're maybe seeing a brownish hue?

http://www.ultralightnews.ca/articles/readingsparkplugs.htm


That site should help you decide.

Either way, take a photo and post it.

[blown_ss]

did you let the motor cool down before you decided to remove the plugs?

[Streettuner]

yeah it was sitting overnight. there motorcraft, oem the ones that come factory so its not aftermarket. they all look the same.

[Streettuner]

If it is a brownish hue what does that mean?

[Nemesis]

If it is a brownish hue what does that mean?

Its normal. I wouldnt worry about it. Do you notice any issues with the car?

I would replace the plugs with something a little better than motorcrap brand. You have any mods?

[Streettuner]

i have an exhaust system and headers and cold air intake. it feels like its lagging when i get on it. idk what it could be though. i just replaced the fuel filter.

[40th GT]

Describe that lagging situation a little more. Do you feel the engine stumbling? Or does it just not pull as hard?

[Streettuner]

i checked the gapping of the old plugs and there off by .10, is that a big diff and can cause any trouble?

[Streettuner]

its not stumbling, it just dont pull hard as it should.

[40th GT]

i checked the gapping of the old plugs and there off by .10, is that a big diff and can cause any trouble?
That's pretty significant. Try a .054". And stay FAR away from platinum plugs. Assuming you are NA, go with copper. Just be advised that copper plugs need to changed about every 10-15k miles.

As for the lagging, it might just be a bad batch of gas.

[Streettuner]

Oem is platnium plugs so why copper?

[Nemesis]

Youve got a 99, it could probably use a good seafoaming.

[Streettuner]

i actually just put that octane booster 104 in it the last fill up. so it should be good on that.

[-S Double C-]

how hot are they?

[Nemesis]

i actually just put that octane booster 104 in it the last fill up. so it should be good on that.

No, dont put that junk in your car. If you honestly put that crap in your tank Im not surprised you see discoloration with the amount of additives they put in there.

[40th GT]

Oem is platnium plugs so why copper?
OEM is platinum but not because it's better, but because it allows manufacturers to increase the tune-up intervals. Copper can conduct electricity better than plat can.
And x2 on Seafoaming it and staying away from fuel additives.

[Streettuner]

ohh well im guessing 104 is crap. what do u use?

[Nemesis]

ohh well im guessing 104 is crap. what do u use?

Nothing! A good old fashion tune up.

Seafoam your car, change the plugs, check for vacuum leaks, check gaskets on your intake manifold , etc. Its a 99, its almost 11 years old, plastics and rubber dont last forever. The car has been through about 25 seasons of hot and cold, itll wear shit out faster than you think.

If you still want to put shit in your car, run Lucas Automotive gas treatment only.

[Streettuner]

sorry guys im not familier with the seafoaming concept. can u explain and where can u get it and how much do u use. thanks

[40th GT]

sorry guys im not familier with the seafoaming concept. can u explain and where can u get it and how much do u use. thanks
Seafoam is sold at auto parts stores and at Wal Mart.
The directions are on the can but you're supposed to use 1/3 can through the PCV and about 1 pint per gallon of gas into the tank. Repeat as necessary.

[slostang]

Seafoam is sold at auto parts stores and at Wal Mart.
The directions are on the can but you're supposed to use 1/3 can through the PCV and about 1 pint per gallon of gas into the tank. Repeat as necessary.

its one ounce per gallon of gas. not a pint.

[40th GT]

Yeah you're right. :doh:

U.S. measurements > me

[preferredduck]

Nothing! A good old fashion tune up.

Seafoam your car, change the plugs, check for vacuum leaks, check gaskets on your intake manifold , etc. Its a 99, its almost 11 years old, plastics and rubber dont last forever. The car has been through about 25 seasons of hot and cold, itll wear shit out faster than you think.

If you still want to put shit in your car, run Lucas Automotive gas treatment only.

:goodjob: i can ask my bro about this since he is the mustang man of the family.

[dallasb84]

the oems are platinum because ford uses a wasted spark ignition system .... dont put coppers in there... use platinum motorcraft. not bosche either they are very shitty and the iridiums are junk

they are brown because they are burning on the exhaust stoke when the exhasut valve is open......the copper cores run like shit.

i used them on my svt cobra when i was spraying and had all sorts of problems with them....... bad thing is. copper cores are recomended with nitrous...... and platinums are not...so much....

copper cores are getting hot as fuck because the electrode is so big....and they are creating resistance in your ignition coil pack.....

get new plugs and wires and youll be good

[40th GT]

the oems are platinum because ford uses a wasted spark ignition system .... dont put coppers in there... use platinum motorcraft. not bosche either they are very shitty and the iridiums are junk

How is it wasted spark? 99 and up 4.6L use the coil on plug system. I don't see how much more efficient it can get.



get new plugs and wires and youll be good

And considering my above comment, his car doesn't have plug wires.

[slostang]

How is it wasted spark?


not bashing, but its waste spark, not wasted. not only does the plug fire on the combustion stroke; like dallas said, it fires on the exhaust stroke while the valve is open to burn off any "waste" in the cylinder.

[rbsilvia]

shit matt, just drive the damn thang! lol.