Hi all,

 

I posted some time ago regarding excessive oil consumption on my 2016 TSI VRS which has covered 88k miles.

Today I took the car to a performance specialist and had the PCV valve changed, while it was there I asked them to change the spark plugs too.

 

When I collected the car they told me the engine doesn't look happy going on the state of the plugs they pulled out. They didn't really go into much as could be a number of things but advised me to monitor oil consumption now genuine plugs had been fitted and the pcv replaced.

 

I'm now expert when it comes to spark plugs, so would it be possible to tell me what looks bad on these please?

 

I assume it is mainly the first plug in the picture?

 

These were apparently fitted in 2021 20k miles ago.

Regards

Possibly running lean, have you mapped your car?

I personally haven't, it's not to say the previous owner hasn't though. I'll try and find out

10 hours ago, RoddersUK said:

Possibly running lean, have you mapped your car?

 - Or heat range of plugs incorrect, I.e. plugs too hot.

Edited 13 October, 20241 yr by Warrior193
typo

Although they are the NGK equivalent to genuine OE they were not genuine OE parts if that makes sense. The garage said sometimes there can be variations between the genuine parts and the aftermarket equivalent. They have fitted genuine now so I guess will see how they are in 1k miles.

From my Karting days, I recall that NGK plugs often ran about 1/2 a heat range hotter than the equivalent plug from other manufacturers.

They don't look too bad to me. Is there any heat damage or distortion. What are the gaps like?

 

I'll dig out my photos from a 60k and then 80k mile change.

 

You're right the specs can differ slightly but I run the ngk R aftermarket equivalent plugs. No issues

 What I do see straight away yours has my car's problem. The cam cover sealant is breaking down and getting into the spark plug well and under coil packs, shows on the ceramic insulator.  

 

60k genuine plugs

 

 

 

 

 

80k NGK R (note second plug from left was touched with oil, that's why the electrode looks brown stained.)

 

 

 

 

 

https://www.championautoparts.com/Parts-Matter/automotive-repair-and-maintenance/how-to-read-spark-plugs.html

 

 

 

Edited 13 October, 20241 yr by TheClient
Spelling, punctuation. Pictures added

12 minutes ago, TheClient said:

They don't look too bad to me. Is there any heat damage or distortion. What are the gaps like?

 

I'll dig out my photos from a 60k and then 80k mile change.

 

You're right the specs can differ slightly but I run the ngk R aftermarket equivalent plugs. No issues

 What I do see straight away yours has my car's problem. The cam cover sealant is breaking down and getting into the spark plug well and under coil packs, shows on the ceramic insulator.  

AHH I did wonder why there was slight oil on those parts. That would be appreciated if you could dig out the photos just for me to compare. I'll have to look at getting the cam cover sorted, not sure how much that would cost though 😞

5 minutes ago, s88urd said:

AHH I did wonder why there was slight oil on those parts. That would be appreciated if you could dig out the photos just for me to compare. I'll have to look at getting the cam cover sorted, not sure how much that would cost though 😞

posted pics for you now. Don't ask about the cam cover. It's sealant and the cam cover forms the upper bearing journals for the cams. It's a big job unfortunately but they may well have misinterpreted the oil to burning from overheating plugs.

 

edit. ps what is the oil usage per miles travelled?

Edited 13 October, 20241 yr by TheClient

30 minutes ago, TheClient said:

posted pics for you now. Don't ask about the cam cover. It's sealant and the cam cover forms the upper bearing journals for the cams. It's a big job unfortunately but they may well have misinterpreted the oil to burning from overheating plugs.

 

edit. ps what is the oil usage per miles travelled?

Cheers mate, yeh they look quite similar to mine in honesty.  It was around a litre for 1500 miles, I've recorded the mileage now and will check the level again in around 1000miles to see how it is