Technical Do these used spark plugs look bad?

[Troughy]

My first DIY job, replacing the spark plugs on my 2012 Fiat Punto 1.2 Pop. Bought the car used (with 214k km, now 217k), no service history. The spark plug wires were stuck and I'm going to also replace them since I couldn't get the 4th one off not even with pliers. I was wondering if someone could please tell me if these spark plugs look ok, and maybe some insight about the engine's health based on the spark plugs would be nice. I think the first 2 look good but the 3rd one looks way worse. Should I maybe get the engine (or just cylinder 3) looked at with a borescope camera or something?
Here are the pics:

 

[ZaphodB]

But you're only showing one plug ??

No service history means do a full (air&oil filter , plugs, oil change as a minimum) service in my book, so you know where ground zero is going forward.

(Running a bit lean imho if that's the one)

What do the others look like ? , what's your idea of "looking good"

 

[Troughy]

But you're only showing one plug ??

No service history means do a full (air&oil filter , plugs, oil change as a minimum) service in my book, so you know where ground zero is going forward.

(Running a bit lean imho if that's the one)

What do the others look like ? , what's your idea of "looking good"

It's 3 pics, if you hover over the image there's an arrow and you can check the other 2, or just click on it and it'll open up the imgur album.
I already did oil change, also air and cabin filter. I'm planning on replacing the oil every 5k kms if that helps this engine last longer. There's also a little bit of oil consumption btw. And also when the car has been sitting for a day, for a second it sounds like there's no oil pressure when I start it. I don't suppose that's very healthy for the engine. But I think I read that's because as the engine gets worn, oil goes down into oil pan much easier/faster. Just wondering if there's something that should be done about that.

 

[ZaphodB]

Ahh ok

I'll go with plan A, change all the plugs (they look crusty and haven't been changed in a while) and note down when you changed them somewhere safe (like in the car books)

What specific oil are you using ?

(It could just be lack of service history that has caused wear to the engine resulting in poor oil pressure (which would show itself first on first startup) , I say just but servicing is absolutely crucial for an engine, if it's got a poor or no history then sadly the damage could already have been done.)
Nothing can be done for engine wear apart from a rebuild, the damage is already done with age and exacerbated with no or poor history.

 

[Troughy]

Ahh ok

I'll go with plan A, change all the plugs (they look crusty and haven't been changed in a while) and note down when you changed them somewhere safe (like in the car books)

What specific oil are you using ?

(It could just be lack of service history that has caused wear to the engine resulting in poor oil pressure (which would show itself first on first startup) , I say just but servicing is absolutely crucial for an engine, if it's got a poor or no history then sadly the damage could already have been done.)

I'm using OEM Petronas Selenia KPE 5W40. I don't have the money right now but I'm planning to take it to a mechanic to get the timing belt replaced (also water pump and anything else that needs to be replaced). It sounds bad when cold starting. With 3 out of 4 spark plugs replaced it doesn't sound as bad and the noises go away quicker, but when I press the gas pedal it makes this noise: you can hear the sound at the 8 second mark. No idea if that's normal, it goes away when I start moving.

 

[ZaphodB]

Can't tell from the video , sorry.

With 3 out of 4 spark plugs replaced it doesn't sound as bad and th

Always change all the plugs.

 

[GrandePunto PL]

1. Sparkplugs are worn out and a bit dirty from oil. Do the "piston soak" preventive maintenance trick (it works: throttle body, breather hoses PCV and sparkplugs will be clean - and obviously an oil consumption will go down). Put and suck back some engine flush (solvent) into cylinders for an hour or so. To free the piston rings. Common issue in whole FIRE family.
Change ALL 4 plugs (why 3/4?) and high voltage ("tension") wires. Condition of the coil pack module can be roughly judged by "coil charge time" (dwell) in FES or MES program. Brand new 1,5 ms / average used 2,0 / worn out, weak needs 2,5 ms "charging" time to make a good sparks (not perfect).

2. As for combustion. Do you have obligatory inspections each year in your country? Do the exhaust gas check (note results, take a print). Things like intake and/or exhaust leaks, bad (weak) ignition coils will show up (as high CO and HC content - ideally should be zero).

3. In Evo/2012 even 1,2 8V has VVT (because Euro_5 emissions standard). Your noise is probably worn out VVT wheel and/or exhaust manifold leak (broken studs). It's an 8V (means: valve clearance adjustment, or at least check). Professional "mechanic" should check it during the timing belt job! But most won't do it. Clowns.

4. Oil change interval about 10000 km is OK (no need to shorten it that much - "5k"). You can use engine flush now (once), then don't use it (unless there is a specific issue you want to address). Remember it's a Euro5 (or 6) car = means it has "3-way catalytic converter", it needs ACEA Cx oils, do not use Ax/Bx.

 

[Troughy]

New wires arrived (Magneti Marelli 941319170098) and I could finally replace the 4th spark plug. Had to remove the HT lead by the wire and it broke. The metal part was stuck on the spark plug and I had to use pliers to get it off. And the 4th plug looks even worse than the rest I think because there's rust on the nut. I hope that's not a big problem, now that I've replaced it.

1. Sparkplugs are worn out and a bit dirty from oil. Do the "piston soak" preventive maintenance trick (it works: throttle body, breather hoses PCV and sparkplugs will be clean - and obviously an oil consumption will go down). Put and suck back some engine flush (solvent) into cylinders for an hour or so. To free the piston rings. Common issue in whole FIRE family.
Change ALL 4 plugs (why 3/4?) and high voltage ("tension") wires. Condition of the coil pack module can be roughly judged by "coil charge time" (dwell) in FES or MES program. Brand new 1,5 ms / average used 2,0 / worn out, weak needs 2,5 ms "charging" time to make a good sparks (not perfect).

2. As for combustion. Do you have obligatory inspections each year in your country? Do the exhaust gas check (note results, take a print). Things like intake and/or exhaust leaks, bad (weak) ignition coils will show up (as high CO and HC content - ideally should be zero).

3. In Evo/2012 even 1,2 8V has VVT (because Euro_5 emissions standard). Your noise is probably worn out VVT wheel and/or exhaust manifold leak (broken studs). It's an 8V (means: valve clearance adjustment, or at least check). Professional "mechanic" should check it during the timing belt job! But most won't do it. Clowns.

4. Oil change interval about 10000 km is OK (no need to shorten it that much - "5k"). You can use engine flush now (once), then don't use it (unless there is a specific issue you want to address). Remember it's a Euro5 (or 6) car = means it has "3-way catalytic converter", it needs ACEA Cx oils, do not use Ax/Bx.

Thanks, will take it to mechanic and hopefully he'll do the piston soak, along with the valve clearance check. We do have inspections, yearly for cars older than 10 years, and they do check emissions. But I'm not sure the results are public. Will have to wait till next year because it was inspected before I bought it. I'll probably stick to OEM oil but I think I'll change it at 7k intervals, just so I have some peace of mind.