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From: dennis@vrdxhq.UUCP (R. Dennis Gibbs)
Newsgroups: net.auto.tech
Subject: Re: spark plug deposits
Message-ID: <2322@vrdxhq.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 5-Dec-85 09:03:23 EST
Article-I.D.: vrdxhq.2322
Posted: Thu Dec  5 09:03:23 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 7-Dec-85 16:32:22 EST
References: <643@bonnie.UUCP>
Organization: Verdix Corporation, Chantilly, VA
Lines: 24
Summary: Determining if you have a cracked head/blown head gasket

In article <643@bonnie.UUCP>, saf@bonnie.UUCP (Steve Falco) writes:
> 
> I asked him about the white, crusty deposits I had on two adjacent
> spark plugs in my 305 V8.  (Cylinders 6 and 8.)  He said "No problem,
> sounds like antifreeze is getting into the cylinders.  Probably just
> a blown gasket or a crack somewhere."  NICE!!
> 
> Can anyone offer a way to determine whether the deposits come from oil
> or antifreeze?  Pulling the heads is a bear!  BTW, the engine uses a
> quart of oil in 1000 miles.  This can go up to a quart in 250 miles when
> driven hard.  I suspect the oil consumption is at the valve stems since
> compression was OK - wouldn't they all wear evenly causing deposits on
> all plugs rather than just two?
> 
> 	Steve Falco

You might want to have your engine oil and engine coolant analysed, in an
engine oil analysis, they indicate any (and how much) coolant is contained
in the oil.  Also, the antifreeze analysis can tell if there are exhaust
contaminants in the coolant.  The cost for both analyses would probably be
around $40, a lot cheaper than pulling the head.  Usually if you have a
cracked head or blown gasket, it is easily detected in this manner.

              Dennis Gibbs