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Old 06-26-2005, 12:14 PM   #1
Wagon Joe
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Default how do my plugs look? 2004 wrx, 45K miles, Cobb Stage II for 35K

Here is a picture I took of my stock plugs when I pulled them yesterday. How bad does the detonation look? I swapped 'em for a set of NGK BKR7E coppers (one step colder). Hopefully next time they'll look a little better. This is the first time I've changed spark plugs before, so I don't have much to compare them to.

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Old 06-26-2005, 12:42 PM   #2
Starkiller
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I'm looking thru my newbie tuning book which has pictures of how to read plugs and it looks like your running to hot. The book recommends...
Check for correct plug heat range
over-advanced ignition timing
lean fuel mixture
intake manifold vacuum leaks
sticking valves
insufficient engine cooling
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Old 06-26-2005, 02:06 PM   #3
the_colombian
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one things for sure, they were due for change a while ago.
I see some brown so they were fine at one time but all that chalk on them means that the plugs where over heated. you should try some one step colder plugs.
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Old 06-26-2005, 02:14 PM   #4
ebeck
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Looks like aluminum from detonation.
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Old 06-26-2005, 03:03 PM   #5
the_colombian
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doesnt have to be aluminum. I've seen plenty of plugs like that before. I would rethink keeping the COBB though, I just keep seeing bad things with it.
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Old 06-26-2005, 04:58 PM   #6
AlboWRX
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Quote:
Originally Posted by the_colombian
doesnt have to be aluminum. I've seen plenty of plugs like that before. I would rethink keeping the COBB though, I just keep seeing bad things with it.
What kinda things is your crystal ball showing on Cobb?
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Old 06-26-2005, 05:02 PM   #7
the_colombian
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haha, funny.

im not going to say anything negative about the cobb cause I dont have one, but several friends run it and reliabilty is an issue.
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Old 06-26-2005, 07:21 PM   #8
quadturbowrxgtr-s
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mmmm. looks like sugar coated Hershey kisses! EYUMMY!!
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Old 06-26-2005, 08:26 PM   #9
DerrickRH
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according to my trusty ol chilton's subaru book, those plugs have just been in the engine way too long. the spark plug gap looks fine though so i dont think you have a detonation problem.
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Old 06-27-2005, 12:13 AM   #10
Uncle Scotty
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....old and need a step colder plug
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Old 06-27-2005, 08:37 AM   #11
Wagon Joe
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Thanks for the advice.

Uncle Scotty -- I could have sworn reading earlier posts from you recommending against changing the stock plugs before 60K, saying something like "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." I thought changing them at 45K was even a bit early.

Every time I've seen someone ask when they should change their plugs, they get pointed to Unabomber's FAQ or the Subaru maintenance schedule, all which say they stock plugs on a wrx should be changed at 60K.

I know that a stage II tune will make things a little hotter, but in all of my daily browsing of this forum I haven't seen anything to suggest changing the plugs early. Hopefully others can learn from this situation.
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Old 06-27-2005, 03:44 PM   #12
Starkiller
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I read somewhere that when you reach 300 crank HP, go one step colder.
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Old 06-28-2005, 08:57 PM   #13
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