» Site Navigation | | » Recent Threads | | | 1999 M3 Swap 09-07-2023 10:10 PM 06-01-2024 03:04 PM 7 Replies, 409,836 Views | | My 318ti build 05-21-2024 04:48 PM 05-28-2024 06:42 PM 1 Replies, 3,626 Views | | OMG!OMG! 05-28-2024 08:53 AM 05-28-2024 08:53 AM 0 Replies, 1,440 Views | | | | | 04-11-2010, 04:12 PM | #1 | Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: NYC Posts: 134 | green tint/coolant on spark plug? Hi All, I have always had a misfire when i first got the car about 6-7 months ago. I changed the plugs in December, but it still misfires a bit - so I am thinking something might be up. I checked the plugs, there is a bit of oil on them due to a valve cover gasket leak, but I also notice a little green tint on the electrode and threaded part of the spark plugs. Is the green tint due to coolant passing through the cylinders or is it something I shouldnt be concerned about? I am not overheating, no coolant in oil, no smoking, but i have been losing some coolant from the expansion pack by the radiator (but noticed the cap wasnt on tightly) - i really hate to think it is a blown head gasket!! I will have to do a compression test to confirm.. any ideas? I also added mystery oil to gas tank and crank case, as well as seafoam to gas tank and intake manifold. Last edited by aziankingz; 04-11-2010 at 04:33 PM. | | | 04-12-2010, 12:34 AM | #2 | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: asdfasdf Posts: 10,002 | I'm thinking it might be a head gasket, it might just be a small enough leak that there's no visible smoke | | | 04-12-2010, 03:28 PM | #3 | Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: NYC Posts: 134 | the coolant level goes up and down.. not sure why? maybe theres still air in the system? i just hope my car is running a little lean, causing the plugs to turn green.. maybe my cat is bad? | | | 04-12-2010, 08:24 PM | #4 | Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Schiller Park, Illinois (w.sub.of Chicago) Posts: 67 | Quote: Originally Posted by aziankingz the coolant level goes up and down.. not sure why? | If is bad gasket oil and coolant are mixing, sometimes they leak to one and sometimes to other side. If your coolant goes to oil then coolant level goes down, but if your oil goes to coolant then coolant level goes up. They circulate both way. Check your oil cap it has to have something with white or green color on it (inside). That is really good sign that your engine do mixing oil and coolant | | | 04-12-2010, 08:52 PM | #5 | Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: NYC Posts: 134 | i will check again later, but i checked everything and did not see the signs of a head gasket leak.. still need to go to autozone and pick up a compression tester.. | | | 04-12-2010, 09:42 PM | #6 | Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ontario Posts: 29 | But before you panic if you see white residue on your oil cap, keep in mind that condensation does collect inside the block and it will show on the cap. This will be the case, especially, when the car is driven short distances. If however, there is still white, or milky, residue after a long drive, you might be leaking coolant. | | | 04-12-2010, 10:54 PM | #7 | Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: NYC Posts: 134 | nope not white residue last time i checked the oil cap which was on saturday.. i mean i dont have any symptoms of a head gasket leak other than the plugs having a green tint on them.. i really really hope its nothing serious..i do want to replace my cat and possibly my o2 sensor..might calm the rough idle a little.. | | | 04-12-2010, 11:22 PM | #8 | Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ontario Posts: 29 | I actually have green tint on one spark plug as well. I fully rebuilt the motor with all new everything, and there is green tint on cyl #4 plug. Incidentally, that cylinder is 5psi lower than first three. The car is a bit lean, so i wonder if the discoloration has something to do with that. | | | 04-13-2010, 03:08 AM | #9 | Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Portland Or Posts: 2,666 | I've seen heads get "porous" spots in the casting. They suck coolant in during the intake stroke but don't really leak and often don't push combustion gasses into the water... Dave __________________ Dave - PDX 1995 318ti - Active Black and Tan. 2005 330xi - Mtech 1 - 6spd - Orient Blue/Black | | | 04-13-2010, 03:48 AM | #10 | Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: NYC Posts: 134 | does this mean i dont have a head gasket leak? | | | | Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | Posting Rules | You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | |