924Board.org

[Gus]

Ok, I'm somewhat of a noob, but even my not-so-mechanically-noob friends seem to have no idea what this might be:


I found it on the end of my number 1 spark plug, covering the electrode end. It slots into the spark plug hole, and the spark plug in the back of this. I removed it and the car feels a lot better.

What is it? What would be the purpose to difficult the access of the spark to the mixture in the cylinder?

[Min]

Looks like a 'spark plug defouler' to me.

Min
_________________
Custom means it didn't come from a box.
1980 n/a with EDIS and Megasquirt II Injection. 7 different colors and counting.

[Gus]

[Rasta Monsta]

Its pretty oily. . .I guess you'll find out whether it was helping after you've driven a while. You probably have bad valve seals.
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Toofah King Bad

• WeiBe (1987 924S 2.5t) - 931 S3

[stevekat]

The 'defouler' separates the spark plug electrode from the immediate vicinity of the cylinder where oil due to wear or damage can wet and subsequently foul the spark plug, preventing ignition. Not a good sign.
_________________
"Never get out of the boat. Absolutely goddamn right. Unless you are goin' all the way."

Gone to new home: '81 924T, US version, CGT Intercooler, UTCIS-PT, Euro DITC, Greddy Trust MBC, Forged Fuchs Flat Dish 6's, Factory Recaro's.

[Gus]

I suspected bad seals already, from the ocasional puffs of smoke on startup.
I've ordered some, though it's unlikely that I'll have time to swap them soon.

Btw, on a 1 to 10 rating, how hard is it to swap the seals on these engines? Would you say an amateur with a haynes and a torque wrench could take it on?

[Paul]

Do a compression check, I'm guessing the rings are shot or broken.

To do the valve seals you have to:

turn motor to TDC and mark rotor and distributor

remove distributor

remove the timing belt.

remove valve cover.

Remove camshaft.

Remove lifters (KEEP THEM IN ORDER)

Apply air pressure to each cylinder one at a time

Remove valve springs using an expensive valve spring tool.

Remove seals (use a set of valve seal pliers) A PITA to pull off the guides.

Install new seals (Use the correct driver)

Repeat for the other 3 cylinders

Assemble in reverse order

Or just yank the head and do a valve job while you're in there.
_________________
White 87 924S "Ghost"
Silver 98 986 3.6l 320 HP "Frank N Stein"
White 01 986 "Christine"
Polar Silver 02 996TT. "Turbo"
Owned and repaired 924s since 1977
Porsche: It's not driving, it's therapy.

[stevekat]

You forgot the part about using pushing rope down into the cylinder via the spark plug hole, or compressed air so the valves don't drop into the cylinder.

If it is a 931, it can certainly be ring/piston damage from detonation.
_________________
"Never get out of the boat. Absolutely goddamn right. Unless you are goin' all the way."

Gone to new home: '81 924T, US version, CGT Intercooler, UTCIS-PT, Euro DITC, Greddy Trust MBC, Forged Fuchs Flat Dish 6's, Factory Recaro's.

[Paul]

Yep, trying to watch the Penguins at the same time. Also forgot to mention that the valve springs need to be removed using an expensive valve spring tool. I'll edit the post.
_________________
White 87 924S "Ghost"
Silver 98 986 3.6l 320 HP "Frank N Stein"
White 01 986 "Christine"
Polar Silver 02 996TT. "Turbo"
Owned and repaired 924s since 1977
Porsche: It's not driving, it's therapy.

[Paul]

http://www.toolsource.com/valve-spring-compressor-audi-porsche-p-106249.html
_________________
White 87 924S "Ghost"
Silver 98 986 3.6l 320 HP "Frank N Stein"
White 01 986 "Christine"
Polar Silver 02 996TT. "Turbo"
Owned and repaired 924s since 1977
Porsche: It's not driving, it's therapy.