Lubed spark plugs 4gr-fse

[Dyusik]

My IS250 is soon to be due for spark plug change (according to Lexus). I have replacements, not an issue. Being iridium plug, 60Kmi seems absurd to change the, so I pulled one to see what it looked like, naturally looked new with a little oxidation. Now the black around the rim is FRESH OIL. Not burnt sludge but nice runny (blackened)oil. The car was redlined 5min prior to that on the drive home. Piston top looked glossy black so I imagine that is the same.
Had it not been a GDI, I'd not worry as much. Is the PCV regurgitating when I put my foot in it or is it just the fact that it is not driven hard and the combustion chamber doesn't see enough heat ( GDI design supposed to keep flame off piston / cyl ). I cringe thinking about the valve stems on the intake side. This summer I planned to change my plugs, and fab up a vapor catch (filter or something) for the PCV. Not worried about CCV side since the hose is white glove clean.
Car gets Mobil 1 5w30 now for the past 15k, before that it was between dealer and Mobil 1 every 5-6k.
Anyone have thoughts/suggestions or similar experiences?


http://postimg.cc/image/oa07s7vq3/
http://postimg.cc/image/5rvv7zdy3/
http://postimg.cc/image/8ahk8nzob/

 

[Brybo86]

The plugs in my 08 accord looked like that after 100k, not too bad, a bit white/lean looking.

I have noticed nearly 2 mpg improvement on 100% highway tanks since changing the plugs.

 

[Doog]

Its GDI...I change the plugs on my 2GR-FE at 120,000-140,000 and they are cleaner than that.

 

[Dyusik]

The electrode part looks excellent, it is the oil right below that is concerning.

 

[mehullica]

Wait till you see the backs of the valves. Chunks of buildup. Do you have misfires at idle or after snap throttle?

 

[Dyusik]

Originally Posted By: mehullica
Wait till you see the backs of the valves. Chunks of buildup. Do you have misfires at idle or after snap throttle?


Yuup

 

[Olas]

Don't bother with a catch can, just VTE and be done with it.

As for the carbon, a gallon of car cleaner/brake cleaner/ si1/techron etc through a vacuum line will have everything nice and clean

 

[Corvette Owner]

My daughter's Chevy Malibu iridium plugs looked like new at the 110,000 recommended change interval!

 

[threeputtpar]

That gap looks huge. .044 is the highest I see as proper gap, so maybe that's the reason for missing and poor performance?

 

[mehullica]

What year & mileage IS250 do you have?

 

[UG_Passat]

Originally Posted By: threeputtpar
That gap looks huge. .044 is the highest I see as proper gap, so maybe that's the reason for missing and poor performance?


most of the pictures are misleading. the stock gap is 1.1mm (about .044"), however, there is a ground electrode extension of platinum alloy.... the end of that to the iridum tip should be the 1.1mm gap. this helps increase the concentration of the spark and reduces quenching effects of the ground electrode.

 

[Dyusik]

The car is in my sig. The performance never degraded, it was a random inspection by me. Gap looked good, plugs show no wear, just crud ( oxide and oil on the rim ). The rough idle is not a constant thing, and was around since about 20-25 k mi. Although never bad enough to throw a code, so dealer did nothing.

 

[mehullica]

Once the engine is hot, hold throttle to 4000 rpm for 30 seconds & snap the throttle & let it idle for 10 seconds. Do this a maximum of 10 times, or until the CEL comes on. If you get misfires during the idle parts, you might have enough data to get the updated piston rings.

 

[Dyusik]

Rattled the dealer's cage about the oil on spark plugs. "Bring it in ASAP" yeah now that the warranty is up. And the dag gone thi ng is payed for ina few months. I'll see if I can replicate the issue with the above tactic. Thanks mehullica.

 

[friendly_jacek]

wow, hybrid semi-surface discharge plugs for anti-fouling and self cleaning. i didn't know toyota used them in fairy recent cars. i guess it must be the DI thing.

 

[mehullica]

9year,150,000 miles extended coverage for the carbon misfires

 

[Dyusik]

That is the best news all day. Thank you.

Originally Posted By: mehullica
9year,150,000 miles extended coverage for the carbon misfires

 

[mehullica]

Take the car to the dealer & tell them it idles rough at stop lights intermittently & can they perform the ZLA misfire test. They have to submit the results to Lexus headquarters for review & approval. The dealer doesn't decide whether the repairs get authorized or not. I've done several repairs & the criteria to qualify for the repairs is pretty strict. If you do feel misfires at idle, then chances are your car will fail the test & get approved.

 

[UG_Passat]

Originally Posted By: friendly_jacek
wow, hybrid semi-surface discharge plugs for anti-fouling and self cleaning. i didn't know toyota used them in fairy recent cars. i guess it must be the DI thing.


No, it's probably a Toyota thing.

my Passat 2.0T FSI uses NGK PFR7S8EG and looks like

 

[hypervish]

Mehullica is on point! Are you a Lexus tech?

The carbon build-up on these and the GS is disappointing. I am/was seriously contemplating this generation IS, but I don't want to deal with the carbon buildup and the slow 2.5. I really like the 350, but the years I'm looking at are only offered in RWD. Which isn't ideal for NJ. lol