Do these plugs look alright?

[Falcon_LS]

Bit of background, the only plugs I can get locally for my vehicle are copper ones. Because they are a slightly larger size, platinum ones are as common as hen's teeth and the copper ones usually last no longer than 25,000 km (15,600 miles). This is also the manufacturer's recommended interval for copper plugs on this engine. If I want platinum plugs, I need to order them from abroad.

Of late, I've had various problems with my truck - it would accelerate poorly, and sometimes when you floored it, it would continue revving at 4k rpm without much difference in acceleration. Then I had a problem, which I thought was the TPS, followed by another problem which had me check everything from the u-joints to the distributor. The worst was the problem I described as if someone suddenly hit and released the brakes.

Yesterday, I changed my plugs because it's been over 25,000 km since the last change and this is what they look like with 25,353 km (15,845 miles) on them:

The old ones are NGK BPR6E-11 plugs. New ones are OEM NGK BP5ES, even though I was after ACDelco 41-802 platinum, which I couldn't find. Immediately, the engine ran smoother, acceleration vastly improved and the intermittent 'braking' problem completely disappeared. It's a real PITA having to change out the plugs every 25,000 km...considering ordering NGK Iridiums for the next change.

 

[sciphi]

Those plugs are shot.

Feels better to change them, no?

 

[Amkeer]

Stick with the OEM plug. No need for anything else. As far as the used plugs it is hard to tell from the pictures. Just make sure you are torquing to correct specs. That is extremely important.

 

[Eddie]

Imposssible to see the condition of those plugs from the pictures,

 

[bepperb]

Agreed with Eddie, you can't really see if there is any erosion on the electrode or ground electrode.

 

[demarpaint]

I took a long hard look myself, and couldn't tell much from the pictures either.

 

[ZZman]

Compare to this: http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/tech_support/spark_plugs/faqs/faqread.asp?mode=nml

Your pictures are hard to see and make a judgement. Except it appears there are no major mechanical issues that left deposits on the plugs.

 

[mechtech2]

As far as I can see, those plugs are burning evenly and look great.
I think people misunderstand the role of copper in spark plugs. You can get a copper plug that is platinum tipped.

 

[Eddie]

+1. the copper is within the electrode and not the surface exposed to combustion.

 

[[RT] ProjUltraZ]

might want to check your wires and coil wire. my car was doing what you said and i found my coil wire was corroded at the coil. green powdery stuff. swapped a new coil and wire and bam all good

 

[paulo57509]

Hard to tell from those pics. The color looks OK, but you really can't tell if the electrodes are worn or not. At 15K miles on them they should be about half way to being worn out (typically).