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grumps91GT
10-19-2009, 10:36 PM
......just changed my stock plugs over to NGK TR55IX's. Car runs smoother. But here is my problem.......

As soon as I tighten everything up, I let the car warm up before taking it out for a test drive. Ran great, but as soon as I came back to the pad I noticed a bit of a pungent smell coming from the exhaust. Almost smelled like a bad catalytic converter. Will new spark plugs cause a cat to go bad??? I dont think so, but I did notice a slightly loud pop when I engine-braked the car coming to the first stop. After that the car didn't even back-fire once like it used to before I removed the plugs.

EDIT:

nvm........fixed the problem!!!
ka0tyk
10-20-2009, 03:22 AM
......just changed my stock plugs over to NGK TR55IX's. Car runs smoother. But here is my problem.......

As soon as I tighten everything up, I let the car warm up before taking it out for a test drive. Ran great, but as soon as I came back to the pad I noticed a bit of a pungent smell coming from the exhaust. Almost smelled like a bad catalytic converter. Will new spark plugs cause a cat to go bad??? I dont think so, but I did notice a slightly loud pop when I engine-braked the car coming to the first stop. After that the car didn't even back-fire once like it used to before I removed the plugs.

could be a misfire...
006
10-20-2009, 08:41 AM
Did you reset your ECU after the plug change? (unplug battery for a while, and all gauges sweep when you start up the car)

Your ECU is still working with the old plug's fucked up settings.
Blanco32v
10-20-2009, 10:08 AM
holy crap :laugh:

have you checked the gap on the plugs?? Did you use any lubricants? (anti-sieze, wd40 for whatever reason). Might be just burning off somehting you used (wont smell it if you used it on the actual plugs). Id remove the plugs and check just to be safe. Remember, dont overtorque.
Enorbit3
10-20-2009, 11:25 AM
:popcorn:

marcello, any reason u went with NGK and not OEM?
Blanco32v
10-20-2009, 12:27 PM
a lot of people ahve gone with NGK's. I myself dont see any huge benifit and would rather spend about 10 bucks on OEM style (but copper) plugs and i have more miles than any 4v here i believe. No burning, no sputtering, good mpg, no problems :steve:
dmark101
10-20-2009, 01:46 PM
the NGK TR55IX are iridium plugs, IIRC.

i'm curious as well marcello. why the NGK's and why iridium?
vtecftw
10-20-2009, 02:30 PM
the ecu has settings for spark plugs?
ka0tyk
10-20-2009, 03:15 PM
the ecu has settings for spark plugs?

hehe. its like skynet. its self-aware now.
Blind
10-20-2009, 05:00 PM
the ecu has settings for spark plugs?
well, it has long term fuel trims, which would be effected by a incomplete burn.
grumps91GT
10-20-2009, 06:14 PM
I found the problem and its fixed. It was the hose that goes into the intake. In order to remove the spark plugs on the pass side bank, I had to remove the intake elbow. :doh: I forgot to plug that hose back in since I was doing this job late night and with minimal light. Not to mention the Strut Tower Brace in the way of things.

Did you reset your ECU after the plug change? (unplug battery for a while, and all gauges sweep when you start up the car)

Your ECU is still working with the old plug's fucked up settings.

Yup, actually I was having a bit of an idle issue, so I unplugged the IAC valve til the car stalled, unplugged the battery, steppd on the brake for 30 sec to drain the excess power. I actually didn't plug the battery back in til I finished the plug install.


holy crap :laugh:

have you checked the gap on the plugs?? Did you use any lubricants? (anti-sieze, wd40 for whatever reason). Might be just burning off somehting you used (wont smell it if you used it on the actual plugs). Id remove the plugs and check just to be safe. Remember, dont overtorque.

Yup not new to plug installs. Been doing them since I was 15. This is just the first time I've done them on this car. Still had the original Motorcraft ones. Yes I put a dab of anti-sieze on each plug, also took a bit of pressurized air in a can to blow out any debris before installing back the old plugs. I took my 3/8" torque wrench and torqued them down to 10 ft lbs. They recommend 8-12 ft lbs. Spark plug gap was set to 0.054, fatory settings.

:popcorn:

marcello, any reason u went with NGK and not OEM?

Mo' betta I guess. I've used these plugs before in other vehicles before.

the NGK TR55IX are iridium plugs, IIRC.

i'm curious as well marcello. why the NGK's and why iridium?

Motorcrafts are platinums, but have an iridium electrode. NGK are full iridium, I believe. They are about the same price anyways.