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White stuff on spark plugs

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by ClammyMantis, Aug 12, 2023.

  1. ClammyMantis

    ClammyMantis New Member

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    Hello, long time lurker but first time poster. I recently did a spark plug change at around 190,000 miles. It has always been an oil burner. I was just wondering what the white stuff on the spark plugs mean and if it's a cause for concern. They smell like oil too. Thanks!
     

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    #1 ClammyMantis, Aug 12, 2023
  2. OptimusPriustus

    OptimusPriustus Active Member

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    Cannot see white. Coffee grounds color is normal and doesn’t that plug appear something like that (or is it my display).

    White would normally mean engine running too lean. Dangerously lean.
     
    #2 OptimusPriustus, Aug 12, 2023
  3. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    Googling says they are running too hot.
     
    #3 jzchen, Aug 12, 2023
  4. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Lot's of miles on that plug.
    It looks like a built up of the burnt oil.

     
    #4 ASRDogman, Aug 12, 2023
  5. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Or maybe some additive components of the burnt oil.

    Or maybe some component of the coolant in use.

    I think I'd be a bit concerned about the head gasket.
     
    #5 sam spade 2, Aug 12, 2023
  6. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    That's interesting so far none of my generation 3's with the 2 ZFXE engine have been oil burners or users as of yet so far I've got oh I don't know 300,000 on the persona 2013 and the JBL solar roof 2010 is at like 280 in between oil changes on the solar roof JBL is very little maybe a half a quart maybe a half added it 5,000 mi and the other half added at 7,500 possibly. And this car is used primarily for delivery work 24/7. The persona to work and back and lot of parking
     
    #6 Tombukt2, Aug 12, 2023
  7. Bill Norton

    Bill Norton Senior Member

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    This not readable.
    Who understands what you are trying to say?

    It's free to use voice to txt and say the words: Comma, Period, New Paragraph, etc.
    It's called punctuation.
    It's nice for your readers.
    And : It's Free !!!!!!
     
    #7 Bill Norton, Aug 12, 2023
    Montgomery likes this.
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Ever cleaned the EGR?
     
    #8 Mendel Leisk, Aug 12, 2023
  9. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    I do, I understand. There’s soo
    Much quotes I got from him, I snicker each time I find a new one.
     
    #9 Grit, Aug 12, 2023
  10. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    They are only running hot if that material is ash like and doesn't wipe off easily... But from this picture, it's possible that it does wipe off easily and you piston rings are leaking oil into the chamber and you headgasket is failing and leaking coolant.

    Was this on all of the plugs or just one or two of them?
     
    #10 PriusCamper, Aug 12, 2023
    jzchen likes this.
  11. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    I assume the lurker car is USA, where we do not allow metallic fuel additives.
    Lube oil of course has zinc additives.

    I am wondering if these are iridium tipped plugs because they look a bit too worn which could explain the deposits, if not the proper long service plugs
     
    #11 wjtracy, Aug 12, 2023
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2023
  12. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Which post are you talking about, Bill ?
    So far, YOURS is the only one that I don't understand.
     
    #12 sam spade 2, Aug 12, 2023
  13. ClammyMantis

    ClammyMantis New Member

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    It was on all of them. Once I get home from work I'll check how easily it wipes off. And for whoever said it's a US car that is correct. I'll take note of the part number in my next response.
     
    #13 ClammyMantis, Aug 12, 2023
  14. ClammyMantis

    ClammyMantis New Member

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    So just checked them, it does not wipe off easily.
     
    #14 ClammyMantis, Aug 12, 2023
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    he quoted the post he was talking about
     
    #15 bisco, Aug 12, 2023
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i think it's the o/p's location. what spark plug could hold up to that environment?
     
    #16 bisco, Aug 12, 2023
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  17. ClammyMantis

    ClammyMantis New Member

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    They were Denso SC16HR11's
     
    #17 ClammyMantis, Aug 13, 2023
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