Possible Plug Problem?

[Addict]

Help me out guys & gals. The plug you are about to see is less than one month old. It has some pretty heft carbon like deposits on it. This doesn't look normal at all to me. Any ideas on this are appreciated.

[ebpda9]

Causes for your problem:

1. Running rich
2. Plug does not have the correct heat range for your engine
3. Clogged air filter (see #1)
4. Problems in the fuel system
5. ignition problems
6. Need to set the timing.

[Addict]

Originally posted by hondaman-iac
Causes for your problem:

1. Running rich
2. Plug does not have the correct heat range for your engine
3. Clogged air filter (see #1)
4. Problems in the fuel system
5. ignition problems
6. Need to set the timing.

1. Well the dealer says that the Check Engine light would come on. I've not heard of this. Another thing I noticed was that the exhaust tip seems to get black pretty quick(like within a week its black).

2. Well hopefully NGK isn't wrong. I know they aren't.

3. Air filter is clear.

4. Hell if I know.

5. This could be possible. It seems to idle fine. I don't notice any "missing". I have a brand new MSD setup that I can't install due to space.

6. Hell if I know.

This car is still under warranty. I had to take it back to them to do the Certification for the warranty that they supposedly did before I bought it. It was a dead give away when the oil wasn't changed and teh spark plugs looked like THIS . Not to mention they didn't clean the engine bay either(another checkpoint).

It seems like I got ripped off. I shouldn't have any issues with a 2000 year car. I think the dealer is going to get a call.

[ebpda9]

the check engine light does not come on if it is runing rich or lean. At least not on my 92 accord-eon

[ebpda9]

Originally posted by Civic_Addict
[b]

2. Well hopefully NGK isn't wrong. I know they aren't.

But those who sold it to you could be.

Bad gas? Wrong octane range?

[Addict]

Well here's a twist....

According to Helms(the all mighty car bible) the B16A2 takes PLATINUM PLUGS. How's that for cheap. The damn things are $10 a pop. The guys where I bought my current plugs insisted that it didn't matter. Sorry guys but I trust Helms....

So I'm gonna have to shell out $40 to swap my plugs......

well to be on the safe side, just use platinum plugs...but it wont have anything to do w/ your car running rich. you're still gonna get that carbon deposits on plugs...platinum plugs are good coz they last a long time (you only have to replace them every yr.) but i've tried using regular plugs and they worked just as good...only, you have to replace them sooner...goodluck

Helms tells us all kinds of stuff that we don't listen to. Are you using the Honda exhaust Helms says to use? Are you using the type of clutch and flywheel they say to use? What about the ignition, struts, or air intake? My point is, the Helms manual is a reference, not the final word. If you want to spend $10 a plug instead of $2 for an NGK plug, go for it. If and when you ever start boosting, expect to replace those plugs every couple of months.
Speaking of the plugs, a cold plug in a colder burning engine will leave you with carbon and fouled plugs. Do you know if the plugs you took out were a cold plug?
What happened once you got the car back from the mechanic last month? Good luck.
Steve

Tomorrow when I get to work I'll see about scanning in some of the platinum plugs I had in the car with ~8 spray runs on them. Your plug will look downright new.

Max