Reading Spark Plugs, a necessary skill
“Reading” spark plugs is a skill everyone should try to master. When tuning your engine, it will help you make power-producing adjustments and keep you from damaging your engine. The first step in the process is the proper engine operating procedure prior to shutting the engine down for inspection. Make a wide open throttle pass on the dyno, or other testing venue. At the end of the run, immediately cut off the ignition and shift the engine into neutral. You do not want to the engine to idle down with the ignition on or make full cycles. The whole goal of this process is to leave the plugs colored as they were at full throttle, high load.
Next step is to remove the plugs and inspect them with an inspection light. Using the light will allow you to peer deep into the base of the plug and check for signs of the combustion process, thereby giving you an insight into the air/fuel mixture. If you see gray/white deposits you are running to lean. If you see black soot you are running to rich. If you see a brownish color, then you are running too hot of a plug range. What you really want to look for when tuning the fuel system is indications of going too lean. When you are running forged aluminum pistons with too lean of a fuel mix, you will see specks of aluminum on the spark plug electrode and porcelain. These specks are coming from the piston top and head as a result of the explosive event of detonation.
When running near the perfect mixture, the porcelain on the plug will be clean and white. But remember!!!!…… Always be alert for signs of detonation. If your plugs are showing specks of aluminum in addition to melted electrodes or chipped tips, your engine is experiencing extreme detonation and adjustments should be made immediately!!! Also be aware that consistency is key. All plugs should show the same "patterns". If the plugs show different patterns, that is another sign of engine problems which need to be addressed.
Happy Tuning!!!
As with all other informative posts, I am not responsible for any damages, etc. caused by you doing this. This is just informative.
Reference material: Joe Pettitt, H.P.H.B.H.
“Reading” spark plugs is a skill everyone should try to master. When tuning your engine, it will help you make power-producing adjustments and keep you from damaging your engine. The first step in the process is the proper engine operating procedure prior to shutting the engine down for inspection. Make a wide open throttle pass on the dyno, or other testing venue. At the end of the run, immediately cut off the ignition and shift the engine into neutral. You do not want to the engine to idle down with the ignition on or make full cycles. The whole goal of this process is to leave the plugs colored as they were at full throttle, high load.
Next step is to remove the plugs and inspect them with an inspection light. Using the light will allow you to peer deep into the base of the plug and check for signs of the combustion process, thereby giving you an insight into the air/fuel mixture. If you see gray/white deposits you are running to lean. If you see black soot you are running to rich. If you see a brownish color, then you are running too hot of a plug range. What you really want to look for when tuning the fuel system is indications of going too lean. When you are running forged aluminum pistons with too lean of a fuel mix, you will see specks of aluminum on the spark plug electrode and porcelain. These specks are coming from the piston top and head as a result of the explosive event of detonation.
When running near the perfect mixture, the porcelain on the plug will be clean and white. But remember!!!!…… Always be alert for signs of detonation. If your plugs are showing specks of aluminum in addition to melted electrodes or chipped tips, your engine is experiencing extreme detonation and adjustments should be made immediately!!! Also be aware that consistency is key. All plugs should show the same "patterns". If the plugs show different patterns, that is another sign of engine problems which need to be addressed.
Happy Tuning!!!
As with all other informative posts, I am not responsible for any damages, etc. caused by you doing this. This is just informative.
Reference material: Joe Pettitt, H.P.H.B.H.
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