Technical High CO emissions

[Ricardogalpini]

No2

 

[Ricardogalpini]

No3 looks the same as 1&2

 

[Ricardogalpini]

No3 does seem to have a tiny indentation

 

[Ricardogalpini]

No4 has a similar indentation to No3 but bigger otherwise its the same wrt colour and lack of oily deposit

 

[DaveMcT]

Reset the spark gaps and they'll do another 100,000 miles.

Good News - the colours look normal (IMO) suggesting engine is running as it should.

Bad News - Adds weight to the failed catalyst hypothesis.

 

[varesecrazy]

I think thats a 'V' formed to produce a better spark

 

[varesecrazy]

I think thats a 'V' formed to produce a better spark

Gaps look massive to me..

 

[jackwhoo]

I think thats a 'V' formed to produce a better spark

Gaps look massive to me..

Me too and does one plug look very very sooty on half of ground electrode.
Could indicate leaking injector?
Remember it's only over fueling at idle.

 

[jackwhoo]

The plug in last pic is out of focus but is the centre electrode looking washed white by fuel?

 

[varesecrazy]

The plug in last pic is out of focus but is the centre electrode looking washed white by fuel?

Maybe..
If all 4 were lined up we could make worthwhile comparisons..

To me now..

4 new plugs
£20 later you know what is happening now.. not 5,000 miles ago

 

[jackwhoo]

Reset the spark gaps and they'll do another 100,000 miles.

Good News - the colours look normal (IMO) suggesting engine is running as it should.

Bad News - Adds weight to the failed catalyst hypothesis.

The cat hasn't failed , the cat is able to clean up the exhaust enough at fast idle to pass mot limits

 

[Ricardogalpini]

The cat hasn't failed , the cat is able to clean up the exhaust enough at fast idle to pass mot limits

Broke lead on last plug removal so ordered new set and 4 new plugs, which plug do you think has issue?

 

[jackwhoo]

Not from a panda but this is a plug from a correctly running engine after 10,000 miles use , when it was replaced on normal service

There is no soot on the ground electrode at all.

 

[jackwhoo]

Broke lead on last plug removal so ordered new set and 4 new plugs, which plug do you think has issue?

It is very hard to tell from photos but number 4 looks the worst.

Why not pull the fuel rail with injectors and fuel pipe still attached?

Arrange it so you can see injector tips.

See if any are dripping or leaking.

Turn key to position when lights come on and fuel pump runs for a couple of seconds (Do not operate starter)

Look again for injector leaking.

 

[Jockcl500]

Broke lead on last plug removal so ordered new set and 4 new plugs, which plug do you think has issue?

All of them look like they need replaced, soot anywhere on a plug is not good, oil on the threads and gaps look wrong, put a feeler gauge on it, the burn is wrong, hence fuel going straight in to the exhaust.
Start with new plugs set at the correct gap, and hope after it is burning clean, that the Cat is ok after it burns/cleans all the excess fuel out.
Looking at the mot figures, it failed the first fast idle and just managed to get to the upper limit on the second fast idle for a pass, don't confuse a pass with good.
The plugs should look like Jackwhoo pics a nice clean burn.

 

[Ricardogalpini]

Figure's are from MOT retest, original 2nd fast idle was 0.16 so comfortable pass

 

[DaveMcT]

Fit the new spark plugs to the correct torque. Obviously over-tightening is bad but they can also give trouble next time if they were under-tight.

I bought a pair of coils complete with plug leads for around £40. I just got the set and done with it.

 

[Ricardogalpini]

It is very hard to tell from photos but number 4 looks the worst.

Why not pull the fuel rail with injectors and fuel pipe still attached?

Arrange it so you can see injector tips.

See if any are dripping or leaking.

Turn key to position when lights come on and fuel pump runs for a couple of seconds (Do not operate starter)

Look again for injector leaking.

Pulling the injector rail today after I pick up new plugs and leads.

 

[Ricardogalpini]

De-pressurised injector rail, removed.
All injector tips look dry as a bone, reconnected all injector leads and turned key to engage fuel Pp, 5 times fuel injector line repressured zero leak from injector heads.

 

[koalar]

Is there anything to even be looking for. Just looks like plugs that are mainly Been used on short trips ?

and its how I would expect them to look as we already know the long term trim is maxed out and still running rich.