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cmetzner
09-04-2007, 10:44 AM
Tom / Anyone:

I pulled the SC off my car for various reasons. I changed plugs from the 7's I was using to the stock 5 heat range.

The 7 iridium plugs were rust colored around the last couple of threads. I looked into the cylinder and the pistons also looked rust colored.

Is this normal for the 7 heat range plug? Is it the result of too cold a spark and using the Torco race gas additive? Please tell me it is not a blown head gasket?

I have not been using coolant and there is no oil film in the radiator. I also use water injection. But that appears to be working normally and not using an inordinate amount of water. I checked and it is coming on at 4lbs.

I am hoping that it is the result of the cold plug and me just running the car a few miles a day to work and back.

Just saw this narrative and I think it applys as the Torco additive has MMT:

Some fuel refiners in several areas of the United States have introduced a manganese additive (MMT) for unleaded fuel. During combustion, fuel with MMT causes the entire tip of the spark plug to be coated with a rust colored deposit. This rust color can be misdiagnosed as being caused by coolant in the combustion chamber. Spark plug performance may be affected by MMT deposits.

Serpico
09-04-2007, 12:33 PM
Don't worry, it's the Torco that has turned your plugs orange. It may take a few tanks of gas to get it all out of the system , so don't be surprised if your stock plugs turn a little orange as well.

cmetzner
09-04-2007, 12:49 PM
Woo Hoo thanks for the info. I thought that it would take alot of water/rust to make that much color.

Tom @ Fast Forward
09-04-2007, 04:52 PM
Yep. You can turn the plugs/pistons orange in a tank of torco. :) Not to worry.

mywong23
10-10-2007, 09:50 AM
almost all octane boosters contain MMT....