reading spark plugs- deposits

[mkspriggs]

hey whats up.ok i went to go start my car and it wouldnt start correctly so i went through everything and i found that my sparkplugs are getting a powderly black stuff on them and are causing them to fail.my friend said it smelled like gas what can be causing this?when i cleaned the plugs and put them back in it worked perfect i even did some racing the other night and after about10 times of starting it,it is now the same way again.heeelllllllpppppp!thanks guys

 

[Coldandafraid]

powdery black stuff... carbon, from running too rich. also explaining the gas smell.

 

[mkspriggs]

thanks man,so what would be the best way to make that better?or will i have to keep cleaning the plugs everyday ,thanks

 

[mkspriggs]

hey since there is carbon depoites could it be my o2 sensor?

 

[cuttheduck]

hey since there is carbon depoites could it be my o2 sensor?

YES!!!
Well do you have a CEL?
A bad o2 sensor will sometimes run the car on the rich side.

 

[mkspriggs]

a cel???????? sorry if thats a dumb question

 

[cuttheduck]

CEL=Check engine light
srry bout that

 

[SpeedFreak03]

Do you have any mods? If not, then it is most likely your O2 sensor. If the O2 sensor is dead it wont always throw a CEL tho. Thats what it most likely is IMO.

 

[mkspriggs]

oh ok yea i do have a cel then,i dont have that many mods,just intake performance chip and then stuff like bodykit,etc.i am just now really getting started on my engine.so since i have a cel is it maybe something else?my car has been great.i just really got confused when that light came on then it started smoking but after i clean my plugs i still have great power.go figure!so if it is the o2 sensor will someone look at the o2 at jcwhitney.com and tell me what they think of them they have some double platnum stuff,but i dont know what is best,or if those arent good enough can you tell me a place that has good ones for good prices,thanks

 

[Coldandafraid]

performance chip? that could be why you are running rich I think also...

 

[mkspriggs]

so even if it is the chip will a new o2 sensor help it,i heard it is best to change them every 25,000 miles and i really doubt the people i got it from had changed it.other then that all i ave done is a pro clutch and that wouldnt do anything so i think i need a nnew o2 no matter what just to keep things safe what do you think?