Had the plugs changed on my 04 5.3 today. 150 labor and 84 for the Motorcraft plugs. Mechanic said #4 by the computer was the only tough one. All came out without breaking. 64k miles.

Check out the pic. The electrode seems really small compared to the new ones ... Did it wear? Or is the newer plug design using beefier electrode?

What u all think I'm general of the plug condition?

 

Come one man! I even posted a pretty pic!

 

Looks like a lot of stop/go driving. Either that or dirty fuel. Look pretty black in my opinion. Usually a good looking used plug will not be crusty and will be the color of a good toasted marshmallow.

They are all intact which is more important than color or cleanliness. None have broken from heat or malformed from heat. That is a good sign. Also a good sign is that they are all in pretty much the same condition which would indicate a fairly balanced system.

I had a head gasket leaking internally once and the spark plug from that cylinder was the give away.

 

Of course on the color I could be wrong as I don't have a lot of experience with the plugs in these yet since I have not changed mine or seen many factory plugs after a change.

 

black - running rich
white - running lean/pre igniting.
in between is what you want.

http://www.dansmc.com/spark_plugs/sp...s_catalog.html

 

The one owner before me, who put 60k on the truck drove to Arizona from NY 4x's but other than that mostly drove short trips of a few miles or less.

I drive longer distances between stop and starts usually 12 - 25 mile range. So the next change should look a little greyer, I hope!