2013 Volkswagen CC, 52k miles.
I changed my spark plugs on my CC back when it had 42k miles on it, I bought NGK Iridium plugs. I decided to check today what they look like out of curiosity and they had a fair amount of black crap on it (Carbon?) with just 10k miles of use is this normal? (Unfortunately did not get a pic.) There was also some oil bits around where the spark plug goes in, I did get a pic of that. What does this mean?
oil around the spark plug well means the valve cover gasket is weeping. If you do mostly city driving and short trips then plugs will show dark. Does it use any oil?
@porkchophill
Sorry forget to mention how I drove! All 10k miles were entirely highway mileage 12 miles to work, 12 miles back, I also don’t drive crazy. Never went above 80mph or 2500 rpms but always above 60 or 2000. As for using oil, not to knowledge, no leaks, smells or loss.
Are the NGK iridiums the "factory recommended" plugs? I would always stick to what factory used. I tried platinum fine tips in my 99 passat years back and they would foul once in a while due to the fine tip and crap would bridge short them causing a miss fire. Switched back to the factory plugs and no issues,
@porkchophill
Hm, not sure if they are. Probably will go with some next time, thanks.
The ngk iridium spark plugs are the factory recommended spark plugs, as for the carbon build I don’t think that is normal as I have a 2015 cc with 103,000 miles and my spark plugs have about 40k miles on them and have buildup but not a abnormal amount. and unfortunately I think the valve cover gaskets are a weak point on those engines because my valve cover gasket is dumping oil in the same spots
