Spark plugs burning red??

[timka86]

Working on an 03' Matrix XR. 1.8L I4. (1ZZFE)

I pulled the plugs and all four are the same red, deep red color, doesn't look brown though. (sorry no pics) Anyone know what this means?

I've seen black, and gray, I know that gray is what's desired.

But red??

Someone had told me that it means either no/ bad spark, or no/bad compression, can someone confirm that?
And the reason it's red is cuz not all the fuel is burning.

Thanks

[Sprucegagt]

Might want to check on what they've done to the fuel. Some additives will make the plugs change color.

[traingeek087]

There is a Chart of different spark plug problems on the wall at school I could check it out for you come monday.

[timka86]

Might want to check on what they've done to the fuel. Some additives will make the plugs change color.

i asked the owner about additives, he said he's been using a bunch of crap, cuz the dealer told him his injectors were clogged, so he's been mixing different injector cleaners. and octane boosters. if sprucegagt is right, then that explains it...

[AaronGTR]

Yeah, you only want to run one of those fuel system cleaners at a time, and octane boosters wouldn't do anything. Even with the proper additive, they have a limited effect and sometimes the only fix is removing the injectors for proper cleaning.

[tenspeed]

It might be normal if the plugs have a copper coating. Copper will turn a dark orange/red when heated.

It's probably some dye from the cleaners.

[gectek]

yah thats def a misuse of additives and possibly alot of octane booster and high octane as well, it likes to make them all red colored. now if its just the ground strap that is red, then that is overheating problems. possibly borderline detonation and higher than normal cyl temps

there is alot of info about how to read a plug on any plug manuf. web site, also there is a really good article in the march 07 issue of Car Craft

[Malaclypse]

Yep. Sometimes winter formulations of gasoline and the additives used will cause red residue on spark plugs and exhaust manifolds.

[Lash]

http://www.4secondsflat.com/plug_chart.html