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Weird spark plug #: 2090

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Posted: Tue Apr 14th, 2020 05:39 pm

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VelociRanger
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Is this just dirt? Coolant? Could it be because I use fuel injector cleaner between about 2 or 3 tanks? I only checked one spark plug (cylinder number 2) because the boots are pretty much stuck on, so before I rip a boot I got the only one off that I safely could. This is weird. There's no coolant in the oil, the coolant has never gotten low. The reason I was checking to begin with is my oil smells like fuel so I was checking to see if the plugs are wet from excess fuel, only to find this....

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Posted: Tue Apr 14th, 2020 10:55 pm

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JAMMAN

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I don't quite understand, are you referring to the dirt in the threads? If so that happened on the way out, if there was that much dirt in the threads it would have been very difficult to remove. I usually blow around the spark plug before loosening it (compressed air). Since it is a valley all kinds of crud gets in there and if you don't clean it first it ends up in the cylinder.

Other than that, the plug looks good.

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Posted: Tue Apr 14th, 2020 11:03 pm

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Scrambler82
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VelociRanger,
To me, the center of the Plug Body, looks OK, it looks like a little rust in there, funny.
What gets me the most is the Threads, did you use a thread sealant or anti seize on the threads ?
Also, when you put the boots on the plugs, was there a sealant/protectant added ?

I would like to see the other plugs !

Before you RIP the Boots off the Plugs... get a Boot Puller, it get under the boot and uses the bottom of the boot to lift and break the seal of the boot to the plug. They look like Pliers with a flat end at 90 degrees.

Last edited on Tue Apr 14th, 2020 11:04 pm by Scrambler82

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Posted: Tue Apr 14th, 2020 11:29 pm

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VelociRanger
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@JAMMAN- yes sorry the threads and the actual socket part, and that's what I thought initially, but the ceramic also has the same color on it at the very bottom as well.

@Scrambler82- I'm not sure, my dad did it for me a few years ago when he was borrowing the truck. I don't believe he used a thread sealant or anti seize or dielectric grease, either. Also, good call on the pliers, I've seen those before but never knew that exactly they were for....I was gonna rip them out and get new plugs and wires lol :fp

Edit: anyone know of an engine cleaner that doesn't mess up aluminum? I forgot the block is aluminum...I need to clean the engine bay, one day I forgot where I put my funnel and while I was doing an oil change I eyeballed the oil fill hole and got oil everywhere and never cleaned it up...the sight of the engine bay kills me

Last edited on Wed Apr 15th, 2020 12:07 am by VelociRanger

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Posted: Wed Apr 15th, 2020 12:13 am

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Scrambler82
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The dirt in the threads is deep in the threads... not usually from dirt in the plug hole, which would usually loosen up enough when the socket gets in there... it wouldn't force it in the threads... UNLESS it was a wipe off.

VelociRanger, have you pulled the there plug... how do they look ?

Then we need to ask... If Jamman is correct, and the dirt was in the Plug Hole, did it go in the cylinder ?

To me, get it figures out, do as Jamman stated blow out the holes before taking the others out !

I think the plug is just old but the dirt in the threads bothers me !

Last edited on Wed Apr 15th, 2020 11:40 am by Scrambler82

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Posted: Wed Apr 15th, 2020 07:01 am

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With the rust/crud above the threads it looks like there was moisture in there at one time. As other have said the crud on the threads was probably loosened when you removed the plug and it stuck to the threads. That platinum tip plug looks good at the tip. How many miles are on them?

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Scrambler82

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Posted: Wed Apr 15th, 2020 02:23 pm

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VelociRanger
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Not sure on the spark plugs, maybe 15-20k? They were put in about 2 years ago by my dad and I haven't driven a whole lot since then. I also think the number 4 spark plug is stripped, I've checked them once before and that one doesn't seem to go in as far as the others do

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Posted: Wed Apr 15th, 2020 08:47 pm

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Copper plugs last 25-30k miles. Platinum last twice as long. Iridium can last as long as 100k.

I would clean up the threads, confirm the gap, and put it back in. As far as #4 not going all the way in I would postpone that until I could get a bore scope to take a look at the threads and the interior of the combustion chamber. It might be a simple obstruction, threads that need to be cleaned up (lots of grease on a tap and multiple trips in going a little further each time and cleaning/re-lubing between each pass), or to getting it to TDC and pulling the head for repair.

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Posted: Wed Apr 15th, 2020 11:06 pm

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VelociRanger
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They're Motorcraft Double platinum I believe, not 100% sure. I actually need new wires anyways, I guess when my dad did it he tore the top of one of the boots and you can't pull it off because there's nothing to grab on to. The only borescopes I could find were on amazon and they're not currently shipping for non essential items, and Walmart has them but only for android phones. I'll continue to look, I hope I just need to clean the threads and not have to re-thread them.

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Posted: Thu Apr 16th, 2020 09:21 am

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harbor freight sells a wicked good boroscope for the $$$ I love mine, use it all the time
Cheap wires do not last on these trucks
I like packard wire, you can find sets on Rockauto for very good prices

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