Spark Plug Fouled Out...Need Help
10-20-2007, 05:25 PM
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Spark Plug Fouled Out...Need Help
Hi, I have a spark plug that keeps fouling out. I think Ive seen somewhere that you can buy an extender to keep ot from fouling out???? Is this true, and are there any other tricks to try and keep it from fouling out. Thanks guys, Zak.
10-20-2007, 05:50 PM
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Yes, but that is a hack, temporary, repair. It is best to change plugs until you can get to fixing it. If it is fuel fouled, you need to fix it ASAP, as you are also diluting your oil. That puts you on the edge of a disaster. Otherwise it is oil and unless you have a low mileage engine that shouldn't need repair, it is really a time for an overhaul. You can check and diagnose where the oil is coming from, but unless it is valve stem oil seals, which really shouldn't foul plugs very quickly, it is time to yank it.
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10-20-2007, 08:32 PM
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Yes, but that is a hack, temporary, repair. It is best to change plugs until you can get to fixing it. If it is fuel fouled, you need to fix it ASAP, as you are also diluting your oil. That puts you on the edge of a disaster. Otherwise it is oil and unless you have a low mileage engine that shouldn't need repair, it is really a time for an overhaul. You can check and diagnose where the oil is coming from, but unless it is valve stem oil seals, which really shouldn't foul plugs very quickly, it is time to yank it.
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Our mechanic said it was the valve seals, but he BS the price. He said we needed a valve job and he wanted to charge us $1500. I can go get a crate 350 for that much. What do you suggest I do? Its only the #5 cylinder my mechanic told me. Thanks, Zak.
10-20-2007, 08:43 PM
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You have a couple of choices. Number one, do a cylinder leak down test to determine if there are any compression leakage problems and where. If you find none, you can gamble the $20.00 for seals, $10.00 to $20.00 for valve cover gaskets, and a weekend to change the seals yourself.
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10-20-2007, 08:50 PM
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St. Jude Donor '08
CFI in his other thread I suggested he check plug wire then compression first. He never mentioned what kind of fouling or if it was smoking. Just a couple of cheap easy checks.
10-20-2007, 09:16 PM
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Well its not smoking, and my mechanic said it was the valve seals. How difficult a fix is this? Im 16, can me and my Dad fix it relatively easy? Thanks, Zak.
10-20-2007, 09:36 PM
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If it was valve seals the car would smoke upon startup after sitting for awhile. After it's running it'll stop smoking. When the seals get really bad, the back plug on either side will oil foul. I had a 78 Z-28 back when I was just outta high school and I carried a box of plugs and a plug wrench in the glove box because one would finally get so fouled it wouldn't fire at all. Did make the car sound like it had a nice cam in it right before it fouled out completely. 
