Can a pro read my plugs for me?

[Ryan Casey]

Hey I was just wondering if I could get a second opinion on a reading on my plugs.

On the right, the third one from the top seems to have like oil or something around the collar and it's different a little from the others... Any insights?

I just pulled the sparkplugs, they are ACdelco plugs, don't know the history on them, but u changed them out with some bosch thin wire double laser iridium plugs.

Thanks guys!


2006 gmc yukon xl 1500 5.3 with a 10 bolt rear end

 

[915_Tahoe]

Hey I was just wondering if I could get a second opinion on a reading on my plugs.

On the right, the third one from the top seems to have like oil or something around the collar and it's different a little from the others... Any insights?View attachment 258398 View attachment 258399 View attachment 258400 View attachment 258401 View attachment 258402

I just pulled the sparkplugs, they are ACdelco plugs, don't know the history on them, but u changed them out with some bosch thin wire double laser iridium plugs.

Thanks guys!


2006 gmc yukon xl 1500 5.3 with a 10 bolt rear end

Yup, they look like shit alright. lol

those look like they havn't been change for a long while

 

[OR VietVet]

The oil around the "collar" is from an oil leak, likely from the start of an oil leak from the valve cover gasket. The 3 plugs that show a lot of black soot, 2nd and 4th down on the right and 3rd down on the left, look to be the start of "maybe" a problem but a compression test should be done with all plugs out and do that test. Normally that is an indication of too rich air/fuel mixture but maybe not. How old are the oxygen sensors? How many miles on the rig? More questions may follow depending on answers to questions.

 

[Ryan Casey]

Yup, they look like shit alright. lol

those look like they havn't been change for a long while

I'm almost 100% sure thoes are factory so 15 years old and 220k miles on then

 

[Ryan Casey]

The oil around the "collar" is from an oil leak, likely from the start of an oil leak from the valve cover gasket. The 3 plugs that show a lot of black soot, 2nd and 4th down on the right and 3rd down on the left, look to be the start of "maybe" a problem but a compression test should be done with all plugs out and do that test. Normally that is an indication of too rich air/fuel mixture but maybe not. How old are the oxygen sensors? How many miles on the rig? More questions may follow depending on answers to questions.

I know there's oil leaks, it's a 5.3 vortex that's 15 years old and 220k miles, they leak from the factory so what r ya gunna do about it I hope that helps maybe? Also i think they all have that much soot on them, it's just the different rotation of the threads like the soot side is the one that facing the exhaust or whatever. These are almost definitely the factory plugs and the engine has never had any work or even a can of seafoam so I'm going to do that and clean it up a little, also between the oil leaks and maybe some burning it uses like a half quart to a quart between 5k miles changes so.

 

[OR VietVet]

If you knew there are oil leaks, are you saying you just didn't think the valve cover was leaking? Did not know what an oil leak would look like when it gets on a spark plug? Well, then, fine. If you are happy then a-o-k.

 

[Ryan Casey]

If you knew there are oil leaks, are you saying you just didn't think the valve cover was leaking? Did not know what an oil leak would look like when it gets on a spark plug? Well, then, fine. If you are happy then a-o-k.

No I nee there was oil leaks, like around the fill neck, I didn't know that was an oil leak on the plug, I figured it was like oil getting past the threads if it was burning it or something, that's why I asked, I don't know if the valve cover is leaking but there is a lot of build up around it I think

 

[OR VietVet]

The fact that the plug showed a good contact at the tapered seat, with the head, shows that the oil is not coming from inside the cylinder. It has to be from an outside source. Look at all the 45 degree taper seats on the plugs and they show a clean contact with the heads and that means they were installed correctly and seated properly. Those seats are the shiny metal taper at the top of the threads. All good.

 

[corvette744]

The fact that the plug showed a good contact at the tapered seat, with the head, shows that the oil is not coming from inside the cylinder. It has to be from an outside source. Look at all the 45 degree taper seats on the plugs and they show a clean contact with the heads and that means they were installed correctly and seated properly. Those seats are the shiny metal taper at the top of the threads. All good.

Agreed def an out side slight oil leak making its way to the threads-fix it and no big deal.With that many miles on those plugs i see no major signs of problems-who knows what is has been thru.New plugs and maybe some sea foam every tank for a while and your good to go.I wouldnt touch anything unless you get random misfire codes check engine light,then look into it.

 

[Ryan Casey]

Agreed def an out side slight oil leak making its way to the threads-fix it and no big deal.With that many miles on those plugs i see no major signs of problems-who knows what is has been thru.New plugs and maybe some sea foam every tank for a while and your good to go.I wouldnt touch anything unless you get random misfire codes check engine light,then look into it.

Thanks!!