(3.1) Spark Plug Color = crusty white :(

[jmgtp]

I thought the pushrods were sposta be easier to work on!

Getting at the rear spark plugs in the beretta is a huge pain in the ass. You cant see them and theres tons of wires in the way on top of that. I ended up pulling the alternator just so I can get a hand back there. The dohc spark plugs are definetly easier to get at (maybe a W car with a 3.1 wouldnt be so bad but the L body aint fun). Anyways... all 6 plugs are white and have crusty white crap on them. Kinda scary.... lean condition?? I think maybe its just cause theyve been in there for 100,000 miles. Either way new ones are now in and I'm gonna be putting in new wires in a lil bit (ya the $20 autozone dealies). Its developed a nice hole in the exhaust right before the muffler so it sounds like ass, gotta fix that up. And its bucking has gotten worse, it definetly has a bad mount. O ya, T.O. bearing squeaks when you press the clutch (even with the car off) and the clutch doesnt feel like its releasing 100% (it'll grind reverse if you dont wait for it to spin down for like 5 secs after disengagin the clutch... and all this time i though 282s had syncrhonized reverse like teh 284s... they dont!)

I guess this is more of a rant than a post. sorry. If someone wants to shed some light on the crusty white spark plugs feel free to do so. BTW... all cylinders checked in between 150-160 PSI on my compression tester... seems about average??

-john

[geoffinbc]

Red, brown, yellow and white coloured deposits on the insulator are all byproducts of combustion no cause for alarm especially with that milage on them.

[RebelGT]

To access the rear plugs better, take off the coil packs and ICM. Makes it alot easier to get back there and its usually easier than taking out the alternator.

[Anonymous]

Um, Brad, wouldn't his coil packs be under the front exhaust manifold, since it's a 1990?

[RebelGT]

Hmm... yeah, well... I always forget that you older engine people have messed up locations for crap like coils... So nevermind on my suggestion!

[Anonymous]

Anyway, the way I get to my rear plugs is about a 15" 3/8 drive extension, ratchet, and U-joint. Just gotta do some figuring around to see what's the best angle to get to em.

[Cliff8928]

I had no trouble getting to my rear plugs when i had my 2.8 with a ratchet, 3" extension and a 5/8" spark plug socket... and I don't have the smallest of arms either..

Cliff Scott
89 BerettaGT <-3400 proves easier to work on
89 Volvo740

[gserlenga]

yeah, for the rear plugs on my 93 beretta, I used one of those 15" or so long spark plug extensions with the swivel 5/8 socket on the end. It takes some patience and finesse to avoid cracking the ceramic on the plug or crossthreading it, but it can be done.

[IsaacHayes]

holy post from the dead batman!

I usualy unbolt the side passenger mount from the wheel well, pull the motor forward, clamp it back down with the bolt inside that slides, then you have lots of room.

[Green1995Camarov6]

take out the torque strut mount, the little dog bone looking job, put it gear, and roll it backward, you will see the motor move forward, then set the parking brake.

[Syn]

dang good thing i have a cavalier, mine are easy to do, and i have the 3400 top end too haha