Weird running problem...

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Mar 19, 2008 | 10:00 AM

Nkugs90

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Weird running problem...

So the last couple of days my car has been running very funny. After it warms up I would notice a very strong hesitation, almost like a backfire but not as severe. It almost seemed like it could have been a slipping clutch which is a job that I was hoping I would not have to do in the next couple of months. The car was throwing no codes which made me think even more that it was a clutch related issue. Well since the car seemed very much like it was misfiring I decided to check the spark plugs to see if there was a crack in one of them or something silly like that. I pulled the first 2 and they looked fine. When I got to the second 2 plugs the gap was completely gone. The point on the gap was basically rounded off on the back 2 spark plugs. Here is a pic of what all of the plugs looked like upon removal. After throwing in a new set the car ran like a dream again. I have just over 30,000 miles on the set pictured which is about the required change interval but they still seem a little bit more worn than they should be. Just something to keep in mind in case any of you are experiencing similar problems.

<img src="http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g38/Nkugs90/sparkplugs.jpg">

<img src="http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g38/Nkugs90/sparkplugs001.jpg">

Mar 19, 2008 | 11:14 AM

n0yxl

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Missing electrodes can't be good. Something foreign must have been bouncing around in there.

Mar 19, 2008 | 11:32 AM

Nkugs90

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Its a possibility...

But I have seen what a plug looks like when a foreign object is bouncing around in a motor and usually the end of the plug looks completely destroyed. That would be a pretty lucky swipe if only the electrode was gone and the arm survived.