1990 Toyota Camry Logo
Tony Sabaris Posted on Nov 13, 2012
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ONE FOULED SPARK PLUG

I have a 1990 Camry with a four cylinder 3S-FE engine. I changed the spark plugs and one of the four plugs (the number two plug) has black carbon deposits. I changed the plugs and a few months later, the same condition happens to the number 2 plug. What is the cause of this?

1 Answer

Jamie Alton

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  • Master 1,007 Answers
  • Posted on Nov 14, 2012
Jamie Alton
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Either worn valve guides, valve guide oil seals on that particular cylinder, or worn piston rings. You need to perform a compression test to find out which one of these it is.

Compression check each cylinder with all plugs removed. Take notes on which cylinder has the weakest compression.

If no compression difference and if all operating within range, then change the valve guide oil seals on problematic cylinder.

If the cylinder shows a significant drop in compression, then drop no more than five or six drops of oil down the plug hole of the problematic cylinder, and perform the compression test again. The oil will temporarily seal any worn piston rings, so the pressure should rise when retesting if the rings are worn. If the pressure remains low, then your valves are not sealing properly and require attention.

5 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 28 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 17, 2008

SOURCE: Spark plug seal replacement

toyota genuine part number is 11193-70010 6pcs for your car you have to buy and open the cylinder head cover and replace all the gaskets on right and left side

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Anonymous

  • 160 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 06, 2009

SOURCE: how to change spark plugs on 2003 camry

Find out what your spark plug gap is, and the size of plugs you require from your owners manuel. Purchase a Spark plug socket for your rachett (also a rachett extension if you dont have one) And a set of Gap Measurers. Pull out the spark plug leads from the base making sure you don't pull on the cable (can damage the lead if you yank on the cable instead of the boot) and then screw out the old sparkplug and check for damage/wear. Set the gap on your new sparkplugs and screw them back in using a torque wrench for the final turn or if you don't have one only hand (do the final turn without using the rattchet just grab the wratchet extension and twist with your hand). 

Anonymous

  • 34 Answers
  • Posted on May 13, 2009

SOURCE: number 2 spark plug wire keeps popping off spark plug

First, make sure the spark plug is in tight and not cross threaded (take it and put back in). If the plug is loose, pressure comes out of the cylinder and pushed the wire off.

Second, push the spark plug boot on and massage the air out of the boot.

Hope this helps.

Anonymous

  • 142 Answers
  • Posted on Jun 02, 2009

SOURCE: Sparkplug Black Carbon Fouled

sounds like valve guide seals are leaking allowing oil to enter the combustion chamber with is fouling the plugs with carbon build up.

Anonymous

  • 318 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 15, 2009

SOURCE: runs rough

Those tubes actually screw out. You could try unscrewing the tube and resealing it with your favorite sealer and it just may stop the oil leak.

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