ok, I've got some pictures of my stock P5 plugs (denso's) and my new NGK's for a MSP. I apologize for the bluriness of the pictures but I was moving at supersonic speed!!

Anyone wanna take a look at my old plugs and diagnose them for me!!! Tell me how you think I was running!

 

Jesus christ, you'd think that guy was pissed off or something.
I can only imagine if I had posted something similar to what goldstar did, what with my mean reputation and all.

 

haha, you've been awefully low-key lately. I haven't heard anything out of you in a while. I guess you got that prozac/lithium shake prescription refilled!!! hahahah

 

I'll take a shot:

The carbon build up near the base shows you are running a bit rich. Surprized? The sharp contrast shows that the Ignition system is working well. But that's a lot of carbon.

The way the threads are discolored shows you could use a colder plug. You only want 2-3 threads to show heat effects.

The color change on the grounding strap should occur near the apex of the bend. Since it's slightly closer to the threads than the tip, you could back off timing a little.

 

lol cough cough, nitrous

 

GNO is 100% accurate!!

Omron....close but no....Supercharger!


The plugs had 21K miles on them and as rich as our cars run normally it was that much worse with the haltech's base maps. Just by switching plugs I've been REAL impressed with how much smoother everything is. Much more grunt now.

 

I have the MP3 ECU and the extended reach plugs. I have ben running 93, but I am going to experiment with 89.

 

Well, there has been some useful information here between the others. Could that "smoother feeling" from running 89 or 93 be because its cleaning up the injectors and fuel lines and such? I didn't really understand the octane rating and figured I want a higher rating to "burn cleaner." I swear my Ford Ranger used to average 2-5 mpg better per tank, usually highway miles(3.0L V6 not 2.0L I4). Huh. Well, I guess I'll save some dough now...

May I ask the experts another question, somewhat protege related. Would running a tank of 89/93 mixed in a Ford 2.0L SPI escort engine. automatic, with a K&N filter, removed lower resonator, Bosch platnium dual prongs and Borg Warner 8.8mm plug wires cause it to blow the thermostat to pieces and consequently overheat and shut down going up a mountain?

I thought maybe the ghetto intake was sucking in hot air from behind the radiator, or engine, but I had the intake on it for almost two years, summer incl. no problems. I put the resonator back in anyways. The plugs/wires are more recent and I put the 93 in because the ride back was "up hill" and I though it would give the shiTracer more oomph. It was 65K so it may have been time for the thermostat, but it wasn't *in pieces* last time I had to replace one. This man I know told me that running 93 in an engine designed for 87 would make it run too hot and overheat the exhaust valves (I was like WTF at the time). Anyways, educate a newbie please.

 

Can you be more specific??
Did the engine make any wierd noises before or during overheating, or did the gauge just rise?

 

No unusual noises when it happened. Gauge actually registered cool, at 10 o'clock instead of 12. Some minor coolant lost, but no visible leaks, still plenty though. After 30 min it started back up, I put on th heater and coasted down after getting over the top. Gauge stayed stuck at 10, on or off, until the replacement. (?) The car just started losing power and lurching. I pulled over, but the engine shut down before I was stopped. I assumed it overheated on account of verifying the thermostat broke.

It was warm that day, 68 ish , I was at highway speed for 1.25 hours straight, I passed a truck up-hill 5 minutes or so before... Just wondered if my tinkering and use of 93 octane further contributed...(?)

 

Sounds like a faulty thermostat. I've never seen them in pieces, but if it gets stuck, then that'll cause you to overheat. Sounds like the bellow broke, so the spring kept the t-stat shut. None of the parts you listed would affect the thermostat.

 

in terms of the plug , i dont think it was temp rating. those plugs are pretty good in terms of heat disipation from my inquiries... thats what i know about the bosch +4s i am sure the +2s are just the same...

but in terms of ocatane. if your car is not up to snuff in terms of engine tuning maintanice, if its not properly handling the 93 octane, what ever unused fuel is not burned is pushed out of the engine and eventually over time damage your cat.

Thats why unless you know your engine is running at optimumlevels then its suggested you use 89 or lower...

Does ford use the exact same or same class engine as our proteges? anyone

In terms of load and running your car long distances, i think its better to use a slightly higher octane then the standard 87. Due to extended play and temp increases, you want to use higher octane, correct me if i am wrong someone... but on my long trips to london and i first was running 87 octane, i would notice those very very rare pre Detonations when i returned to regular local traffic after 300 km on highway. it was rare but would happen once or twice... could be due to a lot of factors. rad. colant, long distance, heat raising after exiting the highway... anywyas to fast forward, now i only use 89 or 92 octane on those kinda trips, and i dont get those irregular pre ignites... could be really anything but thats how i linked it together..

anyone else get that.

 

No. Hah, nope the Ford 2.0L Split port Induction is a SOHC by Ford, descended from the previous USDM escort engines. I believe European market Escorts have different engines. Ours is a 97 USDM Tracer/Escort and the chasis is still pretty much the same as the previous body style Escort/1st Gen Protege. I apologize if its inappropriate here,...I was just curious about it after reading about octane and having some mechanics around...
I guess anymore input should be e-mailed to me or moved to general automotive.

On the other hand, I always find it funny when a die hard Mustang fan/import hater holds up the Escort GT as a 100% US of A import-fighter.