Check out my Spark Plugs

[myRed240]

Can you knowledgeable people out there look at my plugs and diagnose what, if anything is going on, ie., rich, lean, or just right?

I'm having stalling issues and wanted some input.

Thanks!!!

Alex



(I'll remove these large pics once I get some input)

[PapaSmurf2k3]

I think all the black carbon deposits indicate that your running rich, but the prong looks pretty clean.

[myRed240]

I know the black means rich, I'm just not too sure about the brown-ish tip. I swapped the plugs out when I took these pics, and wow, what a difference in drivability. Let's see how long these plugs last....

[WDRacing]

Your spark plugs look fine to me, here's a Chart to use for a visual reference.

Spark Plug Visual Inspection

WD

[myRed240]

I was looking for that, thanks! I thought they were fine also, but my idle has been off a little and I get the occasional 'about-to-stall' as I approach a stop. Changed the plugs this morning and my car ran much better. I'll see how long before I need to get an SAFC to fine tune this Enthalpy.....

[nissanfanatic]

They look like my plugs.

[S13FX]

uhm, ok maybe it's just me but they kinda look like the car has been running lean at points.

[Biggamehit]

Your spark plugs look fine to me, here's a Chart to use for a visual reference.

Spark Plug Visual Inspection

WD

lol every time i see that reminds me of the std charts in doctors offices.

[UncleBen]

pulled my plugs tonight and were identical after I have been a tad rich, but we got a new tune on it so I need to pull them again and see how they look. I have a feeling I need to go ahead and get another set of plugs, these were the initial set when I turbocharged the car, so they've seen a LOT of excess raw fuel.

[C-Kwik]

They look normal to me.

[pr240sx]

They are fine, check your gap. Seems too "closed"

[myRed240]

They're gapped to ~.033...

[UncleBen]

Your gap sounds and looks fine to me.

[Jookmasta]

they look "a-ok" to me

[sicride]

Yeah the plugs look fine. The black around the base of the plug is likely because you're running increased fuel, so during warm up it's excessive and causes slight build up. But this area is not important really. The spark area is a light brown which is pretty darn perfect.

Your stalling when coming to a stop-Are you venting your blow off valve to the atmosphere?What are you tuned with?

[myRed240]

Yep, stalling occasionally when coming to a stop, or going up hill at partial throttle. I'm tuned with Enthalpy and my GReddy RS is recirc'd. I'm thinking it might be due to the recirc hose having a slight kink due to the mounting angle of the bov.... Still troubleshooting...

Thanks for input guys!

[DammitBobby]

I think there is a post about fixing the problem with Greddy bov and recirculation. I use a HKS type 1 and I have no problems but it has 2 ports unlike the Greddy.

[myRed240]

Yeah, I've got it set as described. I'm pretty sure it's the plumbing as it sort of kinks no matter what I try. Right now I have a 45 degree pvc pipe in the center part of the recirc hose to try and minimize the kink. It still causes problems... I might have to get the bov flange welded in a better location.

[NateDogg]

You may be getting some compressor surge causing a rich stall out. Try adjusting the BOV as loose as possible without losing boost.

[C-Kwik]

You may be getting some compressor surge causing a rich stall out. Try adjusting the BOV as loose as possible without losing boost.

Trying to understand what you mean by this. Compressor surge occurs when you close the throttle and there is not enough airflow to keep the compressor out of the surge area.

I'd make sure the BOV re-entry into the intake is angled in the direction of the airflow through the main pipe and as far away from the MAF as possible. Turbulence introduced by a recirced BOV behind a MAF can cause stalling as well.

[myRed240]

Trying to understand what you mean by this. Compressor surge occurs when you close the throttle and there is not enough airflow to keep the compressor out of the surge area.

I'd make sure the BOV re-entry into the intake is angled in the direction of the airflow through the main pipe and as far away from the MAF as possible. Turbulence introduced by a recirced BOV behind a MAF can cause stalling as well.

I'm beginning to believe that this is the problem....

Today while driving, I had just got off the highway, was lo-throttle up a very little hill and the car hesitated, then stalled. I had to wait ~a minute before it would start back up. Smelled a lot of fuel, but I didn't notice rich a/f's...??