[RavenManiac]

I just changed the spark plugs in my 2012 CR-V, which has close to 85,000 miles on it, with a new set of NGK's. The old spark plugs look to be in relatively good condition, except for the area around the ceramic part of the pkug. Please see the attached images.

Is the discoloration due to water intrusion or something else?

 

[20CRVEX13]

IMHO those plugs look just about perfect. I think the discoloration around the ceramic is from the imperfect seal between the porcelain and the metallic part of the plug. Nothing to worry about IMO.

 

[RavenManiac]

IMHO those plugs look just about perfect. I think the discoloration around the ceramic is from the imperfect seal between the porcelain and the metallic part of the plug. Nothing to worry about IMO.

Yeah, I totally agree. I'm really impressed that an engine with 85,000 miles on it is burning so clean. I change my oil regularly and rarely burn anything other than Shell gas. I wonder if that makes a difference.

 

[20CRVEX13]

They look a lot like the plugs that came out of my '02 V-6 after 100k miles when I had them changed at the 105k check up.
I wish my current '11 V-6 plugs looked that good, but, with the VCM system they don't.
I use and have been using Chevron gas for years now. I'm sure sticking with one brand helps and the oil changes don't hurt either. I hope our CR-V's plugs look that good when it comes time to change them. At the rate we drive that should be in another 5 yrs.

 

[yst]

Do not confuse the normal corona stain trace with a soot traces of gases breakthrough.

 

[RavenManiac]

I did not know that. Thanks for sharing this with me.

 

[fubarnow]

I did not know that. Thanks for sharing this with me.

I watched some youtube videos where Denso Plugs had loose tops when pulled.
The only plug I'll put in my car is an NGK.

 

[20CRVEX13]

Thought you guys might like to see a 'bad' plug from my V-6 Accord.

To say I'm disappointed in finding this is an understatement.

 

[RavenManiac]

Is that carbon build up? What does that mean?

 

[fubarnow]

I just pulled the plugs in my 06, 2.4 @180,000 miles.
They looked perfect--The plugs have 30K on them.
Only NGK for me.

 

[Wildcat]

I would have to look back a couple of years, but I could show the photo of the #$&@^* Bosch plug that destroyed our Civic's cylinder head. The ceramic insulator shattered inside the cylinder. I always considered Bosch to be avoided before that happened. (These came with the car when we bought it.) On both of our '09s, one of the first things I did was pull the plugs to be sure Bosch wasn't in these engines. I ended up replacing both sets with NGKs as they were due anyways.

Thought you guys might like to see a 'bad' plug from my V-6 Accord.

View attachment 129819

To say I'm disappointed in finding this is an understatement.

That's not from an oil leak, is it?

 

[BDub]

Is that carbon build up? What does that mean?

The ceramic insulator in the center of 20CRVEX13's plug is cracked. The other deposits could be from burning a little oil. The brown ring on your plugs is 100% normal.

 

[20CRVEX13]

The problem with that plug I pictured is as BDub says, a cracked insulator on the center electrode.
That plug is #3 from my '11 V-6 which has the VCM engine in it. Basically runs on 3 cylinders when in ECO mode.
New plugs have it running great again. I'll have to watch it more closely than before as I'm used to Honda's going 100k miles on a set of plugs before they need replacing. This set has less than 45k on them. The Accord forum says I should disable the VCM which would get rid of the ECO mode, but I like the gas mileage I'm able to get out of the car with in enabled. If it means I have to keep an eye on the plugs so be it.
My computer said I was able to get 30 mpg while doing a 2.5 hour drive at an @ speed of 60 mph on my last trip north. I haven't 'run the numbers' but they've been pretty close to the same when I do, so I'm happy to rely on the computer.
The #3 plug is the one that is shut down the most often in the V-6 VCM program so it's no surprise really that it's the worst of the bunch.

 

[agentl074]

Yeah, I totally agree. I'm really impressed that an engine with 85,000 miles on it is burning so clean. I change my oil regularly and rarely burn anything other than Shell gas. I wonder if that makes a difference.

Those look clean for 85k. Top tier fuels really do make a difference!