98 melted/burned plug

[fordman9866]

hi, Ive got an 98 ranger 3.0 that keeps melting/burning the #1 plug. I run AC Delco plugs. After a plug change I run 6 to 8 thousand miles and #1 plug the electrode is gone clear into the plug. It seems to run well until I hit around 6000 miles then #1 starts melting/burning up. Have replaced plugs, wires, but where to go next?? me and electrical typically do not mix well so plan and simple would help ALOT Tanks

 

[Curious Hound]

Might be an injector problem. I believe running lean burns plugs. So maybe that injector is faulty or fouled.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Put the correct Motorcraft or Autolite plugs in it... Then see if it happens again... my guess is it won't.

 

[Dirtman]

fords run best on motorcraft/autolite double platinum or iridium. Copper or single platinum plugs will burn up fast. And for some reason they do not respond well to using any other brands (delco, NGK, bosch etc).

 

[RonD]

I would also vote for fuel injector on #1 being the problem, since other cylinders with same brand spark plug do not show this failure

BUT.................you should hear some pinging/knocking when accelerating, might be hard to hear

Yes, Motorcraft or Autolite are best spark plugs to use in the 4.0l and 3.0l
And for the 3.0l use 0.044 gap, NOT the gap setting on the emissions label on rad support

 

[Uncle Gump]

Might be an injector problem. I believe running lean burns plugs. So maybe that injector is faulty or fouled.

This is what I would be looking for if it does it with the proper plugs.

One would think there would be a misfire code if it was the case...

 

[cbxer55]

Or a P0171/174 code for lean condition. 171 is the code for the passenger side, which number one is on the front of the passenger side.

 

[RonD]

Well plug wouldn't melt if it wasn't firing, and pinging/knocking is firing as well, also burns up the oxygen so no Lean code from O2 sensor on that bank

 

[Dirtman]

3.0s ping when they are working normal so hard to tell if that's an issue.

I agree with ron and eric but I stand by my spark plug comment.

 

[fordman9866]

3.0s ping when they are working normal so hard to tell if that's an issue.

I agree with ron and eric but I stand by my spark plug comment.

thanks for the help. First not fuel injected Throttle body.I am running Autolite plugs. Where to go from here?

 

[adsm08]

First not fuel injected Throttle body.

Please restate this phrase in something that approaches proper English syntax so that we know WTF you are trying to say here.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I'm a little confused by the statement too.

Also confused on brand plugs you use. Are they AC Delco or Autolite? I believe plug choice is HUGE...

Post a good picture of your burned up plug... this would help.

But to be clear... if the plug is melted or burnt off... its most likely cause is pre-ignition. Which is completely different then detonation.

 

[Dirtman]

Where to go from here?

To a mechanic...

 

[Josh B]

thanks for the help. First not fuel injected Throttle body.I am running Autolite plugs. Where to go from here?

May be on a phone he ain't sure how to use, those things aren't easy on some of us ol fogies.

I think he's simply saying it's not fuel injected

 

[Dirtman]

They didn't use carburetors in 1998...