exhaust leak.

[no1newb]

From all that I can make out, Im pretty sure I have an exhaust leak. Would an exaust leak next to the spark plugs cause performance problems? I originally thought that while driving that it wasn't firing off of a cylinder and I got a Compression test kit (But i haven't gotten around to checking the compression yet.) but there are two spark plugs that look black and look like there is a carbon build up on the outside of the spark plugs, all the others still look white. would this cause problems Or do I still probably have a greater problem, I will be able to do the compression test tomorrow, slept in a little late today and now have to go to work.

 

[RedFish]

Sounds like the plugs aren't tight in the holes

 

[memike]

:blackeye:I have had plugs get loose a couple of times myself also Redfish, sometimes I get carried away with not wanting to over tighten them

 

[no1newb]

Would that cause both problems? I still feel like there is exhaust coming out between the manifold and the head.

 

[no1newb]

damn, so I never used a torque wrench till recently, and i just tightened 6 of them and it made a huge difference, book said 30 ft lbs. once I get some light tomorrow ill finish the other two on the other side of the brake booster, and report back if that fixed my major problem that I didnt know was going to be so easy. Thanks guys didnt know spark plugs could get loose like that.

 

[67Dart273]

The other problem with not getting plugs tight enough is that it effectively raises the heat range, because they cannot dissipate heat.