Ash deposits on sparkplugs Ford 5.4

[toeout]

I replaced sparkplugs on my '03 Ford E350 yesterday and all sparkplugs were covered with white crud that Haynes manual calls ash deposits. My van goes through oil 1qt/1200 miles so I'm pretty sure of the cause.

My question is, is there any fuel additive that I could run through periodically to keep the spark plugs clean, as they are brand new right now?

 

[Falken]

Ash deposits are from fuel additives IIRC.

Do you use any? Can u list them?

If you burn a lot of oil they'd be blackened but don't have piles of experience reading plugs.

Main thing is, you change yours

 

[yonyon]

If the ash didn't cause any problem as you ran the first set of plugs down to nubs why worry about cleaners now?

 

[electrolover]

Thats not from burning oil. They would be black. Not sure what that is.

 

[spasm3]

how old/ mileage on those plugs? Threy look pretty worn down, Gap looks large.

 

[demarpaint]

How long were they in service?

 

[toeout]

I have not used any fuel additives. I go through 2 tanks a week, bought from different stations/ brands.

The van has 265K on it, so these plugs have 165K on them. ( I've owned the van since 160K). The reason I ran them so long was all the horror stories about spark plugs on modular Ford engines.

 

[spasm3]

Originally Posted By: toeout
so these plugs have 165K on them. ( I've owned the van since 160K). The reason I ran them so long was all the horror stories about spark plugs on modular Ford engines.


Thats why they look the way they do! looks like they did well for that length of service. I would not worry about ash on those plugs!

 

[msmoke00]

Originally Posted By: toeout
I have not used any fuel additives. I go through 2 tanks a week, bought from different stations/ brands.

The van has 265K on it, so these plugs have 165K on them. ( I've owned the van since 160K). The reason I ran them so long was all the horror stories about spark plugs on modular Ford engines.


The horror stories of breakage are for the 3V motors. Your 2V motor only has the blowout issue. As long as you torqued to 28 ft/lbs dry you have no worries.

 

[WANG]

I had deposits similar to that on one hole in a GM 60* V-6 with a leaking lower intake manifold gasket. Oil consumption on that one hole, I figured.

For the van, I'd just throw plugs in it and change them as needed.

 

[Falken]

Maybe it is from coolant? Very small HG leak?

That is severe mileage on those plugs.

 

[Roadkingnc]

Replace your pcv valve and tube, that should help with oil consumption. Change the plugs a little more often too.

 

[Kuato]

Bet it's running a LOT better with the new plugs.

Ash deposits like that at 165k(I've never gone even 1/2 that on a set of plugs!!) would not worry me, and I'd try replacing this set at 50k and see how they look.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Roadkingnc
Replace your pcv valve and tube, that should help with oil consumption. Change the plugs a little more often too.


This. There is an updated design that deals with oil consumption on the 5.4L and 4.6L engines. Also, being an '03, you likely have the revised heads with the increased number of threads, so you wouldn't have the plug blow-out issue.

 

[INDYMAC]

APPEARANCE: Ash deposits are characterized by light brown or white colored deposits crusted on the side or center electrodes. In some cases it may give the plug a rusty appearance.

CAUSE: Ash deposits are normally derived from oil or fuel additives burned during normal combustion. Normally they are harmless, though excessive amounts can cause misfiring. If deposits are excessive in short mileage, the valve guides may be worn.

RECOMMENDATION: Ash-fouled plugs can be cleaned, gapped and reinstalled.

From this:

http://www.tigersport.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/mk3supras/spark_plugs.htm

I think it is from the detergents in the oil you are burning (leaving the ash deposit). Maybe you could try one of the newer engine oils formulated with ashless detergents since you consume so much oil.

 

[mechtech2]

A good cleaner is great for all sorts of reasons, but it won't help here.
Why? There is no fouling problem.
Even with those wide gaps, they are all firing well.

 

[toeout]

There is no coolant leak. I haven't added an ounce of coolant during 105K.

PCV valve was replaced right after I got it, even though the oroginal one was nice and rattly( if that's a word ). It's either rings or valve seals and I would rather get a new engine than to pay labor for either of those. Oil consumption has been consistent and it doesn't smoke during running, so it doesn't really bother me.

While mine is a 2V engine, there was still lot of confusion when exactly the improved cylinder heads were introduced. And even then I was worried that maybe some threads were stripped the first time and I would unscrew the repair insert.

Oil I'm using is Motorcraft 5W-20. I would hate to something else beacuse it's so cheap. And the engine seems to love it - it's very quiet and healthy sounding with the doghouse off.

 

[mattd]

I have done MANY spark plugs on the ford vans that look like that. they run fine. they are just tired plugs that required replacement. do not worry about it.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: toeout
There is no coolant leak. I haven't added an ounce of coolant during 105K.

PCV valve was replaced right after I got it, even though the oroginal one was nice and rattly( if that's a word ). It's either rings or valve seals and I would rather get a new engine than to pay labor for either of those. Oil consumption has been consistent and it doesn't smoke during running, so it doesn't really bother me.

While mine is a 2V engine, there was still lot of confusion when exactly the improved cylinder heads were introduced. And even then I was worried that maybe some threads were stripped the first time and I would unscrew the repair insert.

Oil I'm using is Motorcraft 5W-20. I would hate to something else beacuse it's so cheap. And the engine seems to love it - it's very quiet and healthy sounding with the doghouse off.



It isn't the PCV VALVE that's the issue, it is the hose assembly that leads to consumption.

I would also try a 5w30 for fun and see if consumption is reduced.

And I'm not sure what you speak of with regards to the repair insert? The improved heads just have more threads, they don't have an insert. The REPAIR for the older heads with the low thread count (mine) is the lock-n-stitch insert that has a pin as part of its installation that prevents it from accidentally coming out when you remove the plugs.

 

[Clevy]

I don't think the 2v head ever got revised. The 4v head did. My 03 Mach engine has 9 threads. I've got a pair of 03 Romeo heads on my shelf which are still 3 thread heads. I doubt that ford would revise them for just the 04 model year,it is possible though.