spark plug guide

[Quirky]

Forget that timing light unless you've verified that the factory marks are correct to begin with AND its got an emissions test to pass, otherwise it's almost useless except for checking the ECU/mechanical/vacuum advance. Its for the factory setting of a compromise between economy & performance & emissions. It's tough to get within 3-4 degrees with that small pully, crude marks and variable viewing angle.
Advance the timing as much as possible for a fast & smooth idle with the octane you wanna burn, so that it will only ping/detonate/spark knock when it's abused by trying to accelerate in 3rd/4th from 2500RPM.
Knock sensor's be good.

are you serious???

Why would you want it to ping at all?
Especially at those RPMS, where it is cruising rpm, ie, where you spend most of your time.

[allencr]

Why would you want it to ping at all? Especially at those RPMS, where it is cruising rpm, ie, where you spend most of your time.

I don't, but a little detonation doesn't mean the sudden & complete death of the engine, but it does tell you where its timing and/or octane are at to know you aren't giving up any useful advance to get the most power possible from whatever octane. Yes, those RPMs can be for low end cruising but many seem to think it's also OK for accelerating and run high octane and/or retarded timing instead of using a better gear.

[nzhogrider]

all i want is my engine to be running healthy so i don't end up snapping a rod or putting a hole in a piston cause i am quite hard on it. but only cause its a 20V and can handle it

/need to get O2 sensor $$$$

Then I think you need to get that lean running as indicated by your pics of the plugs with the whitish ends (a good tune ought to net you a nice chocolate colour) sorted out then, keep going like that and it will end with a hole in a piston or leg out of bed for sure!

I just sold my spare O2 sensor to a guy at work for $80 to fix his car, was well worth it! he's savin nearly $50 a tank of gas now cause it's actually using the right amount of fuel as opposed to full rich, full time, Lol.

[touge_ae101]

ok so just took the plugs out to change them since mark sorted me some for a good price. and found this:

[img][img]http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/3144/sam0469.jpg[/img][/img]

i'm guessing this is either
a) nice chocolaty colour i am hoping for - not likely though
b) rust from BHG - has been using water recently but put this down to catch bottle not being set up properly, is back on and functional now though. also hasn't overheated at all i have the temp guage working and its all healthy
c) side affect of running 91 octane with octane booster (wynns). has been running really well on it. i get 91 for free so this is the reason for doing this.

i am a bit puzzled as BHG would normally be only rust on one or two plugs - not all four, also it has been driven every day this week not left sitting to rust.
this is a bit of a suprise as the car has been going really well since we reset the timing last week but now i don't want to put the new plugs in until i know that this isn't causing it any harm.

thoughts?

[QikStarlie]

octane booster will do that

Why would you want it to ping at all? Especially at those RPMS, where it is cruising rpm, ie, where you spend most of your time.

I don't, but a little detonation doesn't mean the sudden & complete death of the engine, but it does tell you where its timing and/or octane are at to know you aren't giving up any useful advance to get the most power possible from whatever octane. Yes, those RPMs can be for low end cruising but many seem to think it's also OK for accelerating and run high octane and/or retarded timing instead of using a better gear.

more advance doesnt allways mean more power though

[Dell'Orto]

octane booster will do that

+1