2010 2500 6.0L. Bone stock.
I picked it up about a year ago. Changed the plugs, and one was completely missing the center electrode. No idea how many miles were on them but the truck had a tad over 100k on it. 6 months later and a trip to florida and back with the trailer, and all the gaps are big. Any ideas?
https://scontent-ort2-2.xx.fbc...13be20d9&oe=603B28D8

Are those Double Platinum Spark Plugs??

Those iridium tip?

quote:

Those iridium tip?

If those are, I bought a used car with 21k and pulled the plugs (AC Delco and no doubt original) and one center electrode was GONE and another fell off when I was checking the gap. So I went with double platinum which have a larger center electrode. I can about imagine what a little piece of hard iridium would do caught just above the top ring or in a valve seat.

could it be a sensor saying too much timing or too little fuel

I'd say something isn't right. No way those plugs should be that bad that soon. I'd get it checked out completely along with the new plugs. Might have an o2 sensor off, injector, MAF, MAP, or other sensor issue that is in control of the fuel and timing maps......

quote:

Originally posted by TD3550:
Those iridium tip?

That's what they are sold as. They appear to be copy cats to me. The printing doesn't look right.

Maybe double platnum is the way to go...

As far as something wrong,.....I believe it. But no codes to read. Not sure where a tech is going to start with it..

I have to question the heat range or cross reference part number error....

Put a set of the O.E. plugs in it. 60-100K would be normal service life depending on operating conditions.
Don't buy big box store or blister pack plugs, go to the dealer AC Delco distributor.

Those look weird.

"...go to the dealer AC Delco distributor."


To each his own but see my post above. Those were OEM installed AC Delco iridium plugs in a 2012 Corvette with a factory hand built LS3 engine. This car was a garage queen and never saw anything akin to abuse. As state, at 21k one tip was gone and another fell off while checking the gap. You couldn't give me free AC Delco iridium plugs, way too much to lose. JMO

check for coolant entering the cylinder, very small trace will eat up the electrodes

quote:

Originally posted by QUARTERFISH:
check for coolant entering the cylinder, very small trace will eat up the electrodes

How you you check that? Plug shows no coolant but probably wouldn't if there isn't much

First of all don’t gap iridium or platinum tip plugs can mess them up if you drag a gauge across the tip. As to how to check for coolant leak buy or rent a pressure tester remove plug from suspect cylinder and pressurize cooling system listen by plug hole or look for coolant out of plug hole

depending on the amount in the chamber will determine the visual, very small trace will usually be harder to verify, sometimes due to pigment added to coolant it can be identified with a black light, but ultimately a pressure test of the cooling system with extended pressure hold, plug out and borescope will catch it. the rapid cooling effect of the antifreeze on the hot electrode causes to severe wear, even though it is a spark plug they do not like to be therocycled. hope this helps.

quote:

Originally posted by Canted Valve:
"...go to the dealer AC Delco distributor."


To each his own but see my post above. Those were OEM installed AC Delco iridium plugs in a 2012 Corvette with a factory hand built LS3 engine. This car was a garage queen and never saw anything akin to abuse. As state, at 21k one tip was gone and another fell off while checking the gap. You couldn't give me free AC Delco iridium plugs, way too much to lose. JMO

Don't really care about your Corvette, Dude, we're talking about the OP's tow truck.
BUT, since you interjected your experience, you're probably running crap fuel and detonating the plugs, first guess.

Regarding fuel....shouldn't a stock tune stock vehicle be ok with standard gas?

quote:

Originally posted by Bucky:
Regarding fuel....shouldn't a stock tune stock vehicle be ok with standard gas?

Not necessarily. We own two vehicles that they recommend premium fuel.

quote:

Not necessarily. We own two vehicles that they recommend premium fuel.

He stated his is a 2010. My 2012 Corvette "recommends but not required" 93 octane. Says it will just result in less power. I would be surprised if his 2010 doesn't have the same capabilities. That is if it even recommends premium.

I have never seen that gas silverado 2500's need premium fuel. Corvette I get.

My wife’s 2010 5.3 is on the edge on 87, even when it was all stock. The only way you get reduced power with 87 vs. 93 is for it to knock learn. For that, you gotta have knock. Usually not a problem, but with a little defect in the spark plug, the knock would help it along.

Ethanol is an octane booster, but not the kind of octane an engine really likes.
The Ethanol free "premium" I can buy local is only 90 R/M2 rated.
Our '18 Acadia says it will run on 87, but it's 10:1 + static compression, I think it appreciates some octane.