Spark plug problem.

[Otakuphill]

I just replaced about 2 weeks ago my spark plugs with AC Delco Platinums. in my 2nd plug form the left the plug was loose causing it to be covered in oil and making a weird rattle sound. i put on a o ring and the sound went away. A week later the noise came back and i check the plug but it was tight. Help. I'm not loosing and performance but its driving me nuts.

[KingFish]

Covered in oil? I would guess you have a bad valve cover gasket, as for the rattling?

[jasonpaulbauer]

Is the rattling actually knock? Does it sound like gravel in a can?

[FestYboy]

take out those platinums!! use regular copper core plugs in our engines, they're not designed for platinum

[jasonpaulbauer]

take out those platinums!! use regular copper core plugs in our engines, they're not designed for platinum

Platinum plugs will not hurt the engine...... they are not necessary, but not detrimental either

[Otakuphill]

I wont see a difference running the copper over platinum? Isnt platinum better grade?

[Pu241]

take out those platinums!! use regular copper core plugs in our engines, they're not designed for platinum

Once again oh wise one!
Please bless us with your vast knowledge of the internal combustion engine.
So now the engine is designed around the park plugs.

Pt vs Cu, can't see any issue except I'm sure if the Pt plugs actually contain Pt they will be more expensive.
The only other thing that might be an issue is the heat range of the the plug in question.

So please explain why, IYHO, the Pt shouldn't be used.

[Otakuphill]

this isnt helping me.

[Pu241]

this isnt helping me.

So telling you to pull the Pt plugs and replace with Cu is "helping you"?

As in most threads one thing leads to another!
I'm sure I'm not the only one that keeps hearing the "Pt plugs are no good", "they aren't made for the engine", "they don't work any better than the Cu ones", etc.!
I'd just like an expalination or at least some reason for the above.
My limited experience is I can't tell the difference between the two performance wise!

If your not interested, don't read the explaination, if one is forth coming!

But to help you out, if the plug wasn't loose 2 weeks later and not covered in oil again, then the sound wasn't the spark plug to begin with!

[jglutz]

The o-ring was destined to fail from heat...presure and general fatique.

The fact the the plug cann't be tightened all the way must be examined...at the auto parts stores they sell taps (chases) the can be run down the threaded hole in the head to clean out the female threads. Becareful....start it by hand and use some grease to catch the chips.

Once the plug is inserted...clean the area around the plug and then check daily for signs of oil...it will appear at the source of the leak. If nothing re-appears...pull the plug and see if it's coming from the clyinder.

Champions BABY! Change them every year. They come out that often to be inspected...why not change them?!?!? Not a Motorcraft, Delco or Autolite fan....I like the chrome plating on the Champions....less chance of rust.

[mechanicaldj]

most likely you will need to heli-coil the spark plug threads

then look for the source of oil on :

the combustion side of the plug: valve guide and seals, bad piston rings or a bad PCV valve

the ceramic side of plug: bad valve cover gasket and PCV valve




as for the argument about platinums in the Festiva:

if it was not original equipment : DO NOT USE THEM
(this rule also applies to Mercedes Benz on earlier models)

[FB71]

Platinum plugs typically have a higher firing resistance than copper. THis causes the firing voltage to be a bit higher, but significantly reduces spark duration. its the combination of peak kV and duration that initiates proper combustion. Shorter duration increases the chance of misfire, and the higher firing resistance increases spark errosion of the cap and rotor terminals. Using Platinum or Iridium plugs poses no immediate concern, can increase the interval between plug changes, but can decrease the interval between cap and rotor changes. Also, they will quickly identify a weak cylinder, due to misfire. Personally, I prefer copper plugs. I feel they offer slightly better response, but I have no measurable evidence to support that claim.

[FestYboy]

thank you Jim, i was about to say just that!!

[Pu241]

Great explaination Jim!
That's all, and more, that I was looking for!

FWIW, I can confirm the increased burn/corrosion at the rotor and cap internal contacts.But I do pull the cap and clean them up every 5k miles or so!
But see no perforance difference between Cu and Pt plugs.

..... i was about to say just that!!

Had you did so to begin with, this would have been a much shorter thread!

[FestYboy]

Had you did so to begin with, this would have been a much shorter thread!

sorry, i was away from the 'puter for 2 days.... besides, Jim knew what i wsa getting at and he types more elegantly than i do...