Spark plugs looking black,burnt

[corey simon]

I have a 93 dodge daytona with a 2.5 4cyl and I keep having trouble with my spark plugs I replaced them a month ago along with my fuel filter and added an air intake anyway I keep having trouble with my plugs turning black, they are dry and looks like they are all carbon fouled anyone have any ideas I usually run 91 octane gas with injector cleaner IDK ? can anyone help

[puppet]

Sounds like a rich running condition. Have you checked for (key cycled) fault codes yet?
Any other recent maintenance done? (O2 sensor, coolant sensor ... etc)

[corey simon]

I worked on it tonight,cleaned the plugs up and its runnning normal, yeah had the O2 sensor replaced and the coolant sensor replaced when I had the head gasket replaced

[corey simon]

could it be something with the oil pressure or something My oil pressure gauge doesnt seem to read normal it stays low ?

[puppet]

Dry, black soot isn't oil. Another issue perhaps ... connect a mechanical oil pressure gauge to the oil distribution block and see what that tells you. Sometimes the factory sender will go "off" and won't read correctly.

Check for fault codes on your first posted issue. Go here:
Fault Codes - Mini-Mopar Resources
if you don't know how to do this.

What range coolant t-stat are you using?

[corey simon]

Im using a 180 degree t stat

[puppet]

Try the stock 195* t-stat and see if that helps.

[NAJ]

I am assuming this is a TBI car. Not specified.
Black Rich is caused by a problem with Fuel Pressure, MAP Circuit (Pneumatic or Electrical), Coolant Temp Sensor Circuit. Also on TBI cars be sure the injector is not faulty.
Don't Guess, Diagnose.
Use a timing light and look at the spray pattern, it should be conical in shape with consistant spray. If you see droplets replace the injector.
TBI injectors DO NOT get dirty, they are a ball and spring design and are not exposed to engine heat, the problem is that the ball "bounces" when seated and allows extra unmetered fuel into the engine which you will see as "droplets".
If you tap into the O2 signal wire you will probably see voltage above .450 volts indicating rich, that does not mean the O2 is faulty, it is doing its job, reading oxygen present in the exhaust, rich = using your air supply before your fuel supply= no air in exhaust.
Also using a higher than needed octane rating may cause driveability concerns, if this is a TBI car 91 is not needed. The octane rating is only a gasolines ability to resist detonation.
NO: 14-08-97
SUBJECT: Poor Driveability With High DI (Driveability Index) Fuel
DATE: Nov. 21, 1997
SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
Long cold start times, warm-up sags, hesitations, and driveway die outs. These symptoms are most noticeable and severe at moderate ambient temperatures between 4 - 27 degrees C (40 - 80 degrees F).

DISCUSSION:
Gasoline with a high Driveability Index (DI) can cause the above described symptoms. DI is a measure of the gasolines total volatility, or tendency to vaporize completely. A high DI number is less volatile than a low DI number. Most premium gasoline sold in the U.S. has a higher (worse) DI index than regular or mid-grade gasoline. Use of premium gasoline is NOT recommended for vehicles designed to run on 87 (R+M)/2 regular or 89 (R+M)/2 mid-grade gasoline. High DI gasolines also cause higher emissions for the same reasons they cause driveability problems.

For vehicles that require an octane rating of 91 (R+M)/2, premium is recommended, or possibly required. Using premium fuel with a higher than recommended octane rating is not recommended. Owners who experience fuel related cold start and warm up driveability problems should try a gasoline with the recommended octane rating or different brands of gasoline until they find one that provides good performance.

The octane quality of gasoline is only a measure of its resistance to spark knock. The use of higher than recommended octane gasoline under normal operating conditions does NOT improve startability, idle quality, fuel economy, driveability, acceleration, engine durability, or emissions. In fact, most higher octane gasolines available in the U.S. have higher DI values than regular gasoline. Customers are most likely to experience poor driveability with premium gasoline than with regular.

Some vehicles, such as Viper, Prowler, 5.9L Grand Cherokee, 2.0L Turbo Talon, and 2.0L DOHC Neon have been specifically designed to take advantage of higher octane. These vehicles may have higher compression ratios, and/or more aggressive spark calibrations which provide optimum performance with the specified higher octane. However, other vehicles which are not specifically designed and calibrated to take advantage of higher octane will not benefit from higher octane.

Some vehicles may experience light spark knock in situations such as trailer towing or climbing steep sustained grades. Light knock or "ping" under these conditions is not harmful. However, if the customer is concerned about light knock under these circumstances, the use of 89 (R+M)/2 or even 91 (R+M)/2 premium gasoline may be temporarily warranted. If a vehicle is experiencing heavy spark knock on gasoline with its designed octane rating, this may be an indication of excessive combustion chamber deposits, or some other problem. Combustion chamber deposits can be removed with Mopar Combustion Chamber Conditioner p/n 04318001. Standard diagnostic procedures may help in identifying other potential causes of excessive knock.

Some gasoline marketers may advertise that their premium gasoline contains extra detergent additives. Under provisions of the Clean Air Act, ALL gasoline sold in the U.S. must contain effective deposit control additives. Nevertheless, if fuel injector or intake valve deposits are suspected of contributing to poor performance, occasional use of Mopar Fuel Injector Clean Up p/n 04549613 is a much less expensive way to maintain engine cleanliness than regular use of premium gasoline.

The attached charts (Figure 1 & Figure 2) show the negative effects of high DI fuel as related to customer satisfaction.

If fuel quality is suspected in causing a customers driveability concern, your zone technical office may be able to provide direction on procedures for fuel sample analysis.

POLICY: Information Only

[corey simon]

Well I got everything taken care of and it runs great thanks too everyone that gave me advice

[NAJ]

Glad to hear that the problem is corrected but.....
Now that you peaked our curiosity would you like to share with the group what the problem was?

[corey simon]

there was alot of carbon built up over the years and Im gonna keep cleaning the throttle body every so often to keep it running smooth thanks again