OEM 2006 Ford Taurus Spark Plug

2006 Ford Taurus Spark Plug Parts Q&A

• Q: How to inspect a spark plug for issues such as bridged gaps, fouling, and signs of overheating on 2006 Ford Taurus?

  A: Examine the spark plug electrodes to find out if they have a bridge caused by deposits that might limit gap space due to oil or carbon contamination. If necessary perform cleaning on the spark plug. Check for oil fouling through black wet deposits on the spark plug insulator shell bore electrodes but fix any oil leakage before installing a new plug because this happens when rings and pistons need replacement or valve-to-guide clearances get too high or bearings become worn or loose. To check for carbon fouling you should examine black dry fluffy carbon depositions on the insulator tips and exposed shell surfaces and electrodes while cleaning the spark plug should it become fouled. This fouling may result from an improper heat range and insufficient air cleaner cleaning or too-rich mixture or excessive idling. A normal burn condition can be checked through observations of light tan or gray deposits on the spark plug firing tip. The presence of pre-ignition produces melted electrodes and may damage the insulator while creating metallic deposits that signify engine damage possibly triggered by wrong ignition timing and fuel type or when someone installs a hell-coil into spark plug threads instead of new plug threads. Claims of overheating should be verified by inspecting white or light gray spots alongside a bluish-burnt appearance of electrodes because this condition primarily stems from three sources: overheating of the engine, improper fuel selection, or suboptimal spark plug conditions or insufficient fuel pressure or improper timing that requires replacing the spark plug. The presence of fused deposits indicates melted or spotty bubbles or blisters that form during abrupt acceleration so one should clean the spark plug if needed.