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  •  » FYI Ford, Classic Mustang Tech Discussion
  •  » Black, sooty wet spark plugs

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    5/19/2013 1:12 AM  #1

    faraz79415
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    Registered: 4/06/2013
    Posts: 14

    Black, sooty wet spark plugs

    Hi,

    Can the timing chain cause black sooty wet spark plugs or is this a carburetor and ignition problem?? The reason I ask is because I've never done a timing chain before until recently, but I tripled checked to make sure piston 1 was TDC and the timing lines marked up...anyway I got my car started and it was running really rough..I took out one of the spark plugs and it's completely black and wet (smells of gas).  

    Could this be that my timing chain slipped? Or am I thinking too mch into the timing chain issue??

    Thanks in advance!!!!

     

    5/19/2013 1:19 AM  #2

    Technomancer
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    From: Sedgwick, Kansas
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 134

    Re: Black, sooty wet spark plugs

    There are experts in here with more experience than me to tell you why, but 'black sooty wet' plugs is definitely fuel fouled.  

    If you lined up the marks, and the engine actually runs, then I don't see how that could be the problem; having your engine a tooth off is equivalent to something like 4 degrees of timing.  It would make it run hot, make it hard to start, or make it backfire through the carb, but I don't think it would cause fuel fouling?

    Once a plug is really sooty and wet, then the engine will run rotten no matter what the throttle condition, usually.  Maybe clean the plugs, and adjust your idle screws, set the idle, and check the carb to make sure it's not leaky or dumping fuel into your intake somehow?  (assuming you have a carb!)

    "Whatever you are, be a good one." - Abraham Lincoln
     

    5/19/2013 1:32 AM  #3

    faraz79415
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    Re: Black, sooty wet spark plugs

    I do have a carb...it's a Holley 4160 600 CFM and it's been 6 months since I've actually started the car....could it be dirty fuel?? I put a new fuel filter on....I am starting to learn it is always something else
    :-(....I think I have it fixed and ready and find out something else is wrong as well....

    It took me a while to get it all back together....I am not a mechanic and I guess I took too much time doing this.  

       •Thread Starter
     

    5/19/2013 1:33 AM  #4

    faraz79415
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    Re: Black, sooty wet spark plugs

    I should mention the engine does run...but very rough...First I thought I put the timing chain on wrong...then I took off the #1 plug and it was black and smelled of gas.  

    And it won't stay started long....

       •Thread Starter
     

    5/19/2013 6:31 AM  #5

    josh-kebob
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    From: Madison, AL
    Registered: 4/06/2013
    Posts: 2,902

    Re: Black, sooty wet spark plugs

    more questions:
    -what engine?
    -what besides the timing chain have your replaced?
    -was it a complete rebuild?
    -did you pull the distributor?

     

    5/19/2013 7:55 AM  #6

    GPatrick
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    Registered: 4/01/2013
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    Re: Black, sooty wet spark plugs

    Did you reconnect the power source to the choke?  Sounds like the choke is not opening.  It needs to go to a true 12V switched source and not the positive coil lead.  Also could be the choke heater ground is not making contact.

    If the car or carb sat for a long period the needle and seat valves may be leaking causing high fuel bowl levels if not outright pumping of raw fuel into the intake.

    And, if you did not get your firing order correct, any plugs that are not firing will be wet with fuel.

    Check firing order first, then the choke, all before you try to re-start.

     

    5/19/2013 3:10 PM  #7

    faraz79415
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    Re: Black, sooty wet spark plugs

    The engine is a 289 V8.  I replaced the harmonic balancer, and the water pump as well as the timing chain.  I did not replace the distributor.  

    I do have 12V on the choke, but the way it is connected is thru a splice with the heater blower motor.  I am now wondering if I blew out the choke by leaving the ignition on too long.  

    I do have the correct firing order as I only pulled 1 spark plug wire off #1 to rotate the engine to TDC.  

       •Thread Starter
     

    5/19/2013 5:50 PM  #8

    MS
    Forum Originator

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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 12,155

    Re: Black, sooty wet spark plugs

    Think of it this way...  If your timing chain had alot of slack in it, then the distributor likely had to be advanced to compensate for the retard condition caused by the slack chain.  When you replaced the chain, the distributor (if you did not move it) is probably more advanced than it was before.  Set the timing at about 8 BTDC if fairly stock engine, or 14 BTDC if it has a bigger than stock cam.

    If all other things, including carb settings and jettings, remain same as prior to the timing chain swap, and the wet plug issue was not there prior to the swap, then it makes sense the only thing that really got changed was the timing.

    Fix the wiring issue.

    Last edited by MustangSteve (5/19/2013 5:51 PM)

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

     

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