2G Spark plugs at 30k

[Sniffbooger]

Just changed the plugs at almost 30k, NGK BPR6, what do these tell me?? It's been running ok, but need to top off the oil and the coolant every week...

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[BLACK'98DSM]

Blown head gasket.

 

[pieceofcloth]

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[Sniffbooger]

Hmmm...kinda hard to tell.... according to the pics, it's the 'Worn' description...upper left corner....with poor cold starting (YES) and poor MPGs...(YES)...

But WHATS UP WITH THE NUMBER 3 CYLINDER??

 

[waltah]

Coolant leaking into cyls 3-4? If so , will likely progress to blown gasket there.

 

[motomattx]

3 and 4 have ash on them, thats likely where your oil is going, could be something as simple as valve seals, doubt your head gasket has failed internally, I would try to find the coolant leak, they sell dye and a black light to find small leaks.

 

[JusMX141]

Burning oil on #4 and #3. Doubt it's a valve seal issue as those typically never reach the combustion chamber unless it's happening on the intake side which isn't the usual failure spot. I used to daily-drive a Sunfire like 20 years ago that had a bad guide on #2 and would lose a quart every 200 miles but never ended up on the plug, it was all in the exhaust port. Rebuilt head and I was good to go.

I'd suggest a leakdown test as a place to start but if the head's never been rebuilt that's likely where the oil is going. The stock bottom ends on our cars are quite durable unless they've been abused or driven extensively with washed-out oil.

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

Drain your oil into a basic oil pan so you can inspect it. See if it smells like gas or has water/coolant in it.

 

[Sniffbooger]

Head was rebuilt with bigger cams and also the bottom end was rebuilt before I purchased it. I bought it 2 years ago, non running condition. I replaced many sensors, alternator, etc..and I have been constant on the oil changes. The oil currently does not smell like coolant, and it is a normal color oil. The coolant does not smell funny, and it does not appear to have oli in it. However, I have not yet done a block test for combustion gases in the coolant. The catch can from valve cover and PCV hose does appear to have yellowish oily goop buildup recently...yuck!

I guess I'll try to get a compression done at very least...before I yank it and replace it with my other motor I'm rebuilding. Hoping to get some more miles outta her so I can finish the other engine!!