Why are my spark plugs WHITE??

[Brin]

Hey guys. I tried doing a search in this section but could only find something on black spark plugs.

I was just wondering why my spark plugs would be white? It's kind of like a very fine white powder but it doesn't rub or scratch off..

Does this indicate that it is running lean?? The funny thing is though that this being the third engine i've had in the car, on a service or just having a look, my spark plugs have been white in all 3 engines..

Any ideas?

Cheers

[greenacc]

If you post a pic of the plugs that would help. I think the perfect colour is light brown?

[Brin]

Well it's pissing down at the moment... But if it stops raining this evening I might get a chance.

[mr_sikma]

jump on the ngk site

pretty sure they have a listing of different faults etc with plugs...

[Pub247]

See this thread and the chart i posted in there
pls help got a prob

Form what you say it sounds like ash deposits from burning oil

[Brin]

My VR has been really good on oil... doesn't burn much at all :S

[Pub247]

Well i'm just going off what you said but i emailed you that chart so compare it to your plugs and it should give you a better idea. Could be the overheating one actually now that i look at it

[Brin]

I'm looking on NGK site.. cant seem to find anything.. :S
Replaced mine last October after I got the VR engine put in there... I was upset that he used my same old plugs and sensors.

[Eliminator]

if there a solid white means the combustion chamber temp is running too hot, or your running a incorrect heat ranged spark plug.

If its white deposits then its ash which has already been covered above.

[immortality]

very clean and white would incidate a lean condition. whats your fuel mileage like?

[Brin]

Thanks Pub i'll have a look.

And immortality - I go through a full tank of fuel in about 3 days. But if my Ma borrows my car, she'll go through a tank in about 5 days.. They are very clean and white though. All 3 engines had the same prob. All I could think in all 3 engines that I have done the same is remove bellmouth and cut open the whole bottom of their airbox.

I did have overheating problems a few months back and it chewed fuel crazy, but now it seems to be a bit better. Help me out here though, this air con button is driving me mad, I was gonna take a picture as an example but is the air con on if the button is pushed in or out??

And what are the consequenses of it running lean.. Melting valves and head gaskets?

[Brin]

As little as it is, would removing the bellmouth and having the airbox cut open change the air/fuel ratio and make it run lean?

[eurekamad94]

as far as i know the bellmouth was to even the spread of air around each chamber because the rear 2 cylinders were starving for air so his would make the rear 2 run rich.........

[Brin]

thast weird, if they're running rich they'd be black not white?

[delcowizzid]

most vn vp vr engines will run white plugs with the O2 sensor controlling fuel theres no such thing as a tan plug now days as there is so much detergent in the fuel they run clean as any kind of colour on the plugs says its rich nowdays

[greenfoam]

Agreed ^ I well running VN V6 will have white plugs, totally normal

[Garth]

sounds fine to me, normal running v6 will have white plugs.

i gotta start reading posts above, my answer is above. oh deer

[VS_Pete_1]

What do u guys use to clean your plugs??

[Eliminator]

the only way to truely clean your plugs is to have them sand blasted, otherwise you could clean them up a bit with some sandpaper but doesnt do a very good job.

[greenacc]

I just clean the lumps n bumps off with sand paper and chuck them back in if the electrodes are still good. ( burns a bit of oil )

[VS_Pete_1]

Carby cleaner works

[greenfoam]

the only way to truely clean your plugs is to have them sand blasted, otherwise you could clean them up a bit with some sandpaper but doesnt do a very good job.

As a rule don't sandpaper anything that goes back inside a engine (gasket surfaces etc is a big no no), the aluminium oxide is waaaaaaay harder than anything in the engine and will scratch bearings etc

[Eliminator]

meh ive done it a few times in the past, blew them out with compressed air after i did it...

[Garth]

What do u guys use to clean your plugs??

i dont, i replace them, thats the best option

[andyli]

i dont, i replace them, thats the best option

4.4 bucks each from autoone.