The one on the right I just pulled from my car. The one on the left is one of the plugs I bought to replace.

1. Is the electrode supposed to look all fucked up like that?

2. if it is normal, shoudl I return the plugs I bought because they look different
2(a) if it isnt normal, what causes it so I can fix it

 

Stock plugs usually have really skinny electrodes, shit you should look at my NGK's that i pulled out of my audi, looked almost like yours. Now i run 3 prong boschs'

 

they will probably be fine. did you ask for a factory replacement? Im sure them looking different isnt a big deal, there most likely a different brand.

 

Yeah the stock ones are NKG iridium model ITR4a and apparently thats what they look like.

I have a new problem though, apparently the wires are welded to the plugs from carbon build up. I cant get the two in the rear to come loose. I fear I may have to cut them and get new wires...

so for the wires... OEM or AE?

 

What causes carbon buildup on the outside of the spark plug??

 

My stock wrx plugs looked exactly the same.

Pretty sure it's normal.

 

u getting any blueish smoke out ur tail pipes ?

 

Bad fitment / Old wires. Electricity can arc on the plug wire into the plug lead and cause that.

 

From a professional stand point I see nothing wrong with these plugs. Just worn out. Put the new ones in and drive that bitch.

What are you looking at on the wire? Thats not carbon thats just some grease they put in the plugs at the factory. The discoloration on the porcelin is just dirt. And platinum and iridum plugs all look like the ones you took out of the car. Your replacing with just plain old regular plugs.

You will be fine with the regular plugs. Platinum and iridum plugs make absolutly NO horsepower differance. They just last longer than the regular ones and cost twice as much.

 

it is NOT grease - its carbon build up between the plug and the socket.

That is the plug that WAS in the boot - the boot came off WITHOUT the socket because I used a set of pliers latched onto the boot.

These were the OEM plugs, its now 84k miles and I figured it was time to change them. There was no contact grease in the boots on the plugs or the coils. Not a fine day for GM build quality.