I'd say we is missing a bit of a tip here on cylinder 3. Was getting a P0303 at hard acceleration/WOT, flashing SES light........

Pulled the plug and noticed a tiny bit of oil around the collar.......

From my 2006 MCS with a 15% pulley and Alta CAI. Going to put in all new plugs.....

 

kinda hard to spark .. when no electrode eh?

 

Had to same problem. Plugs in the R53 JCW don't last as long as in any other car I've owned.

 

I don't see the problem?

 

How many miles you have on those?

 

That electrode looks like it's seen better days.
Looks like a good reason to go with the NGK laser platinums...

 

I chcked my records (I fully admit they are not perfect but hey what can you do) and all I can tell is that I changed the spark plug wires only at 40K and the car now has 63K.

I had sold the car to my cousin's husband back in like 2011 or 2012......bought it back again from him in 2013......and I don't think he ever changed the original Denso IK22s I had put in there......so I'm just going to assume that they been in there for about 50K or more.......

So in hindsight, it was about time!

Any concerns from anyone about the oil gunk on the plug where the socket connects? On two of the wells I can see a tiny bit of gunk.......

On a related note, it seems the car has been eating up some oil. Just added 3 quarts and STILL couldn't see anything in the dipstick. Last oil change (on record) was in Mar-2016 but I highly doubt my records are accurate. Hm. Going to change the oil tomorrow.

 

The gunk is probably because the plugs were left in service too long.

It is normal for the plug threads to "discolor" starting at the tip. Combustion pressure forces combustion gases in between the plug and head threads. The gases form corrosive compounds that can damage the plug and head threads.

This is why (at least for other cars I'm familiar with) the automaker calls for plugs to be changed after so many miles or after so much time has elapsed.

Have had plugs changed a number of times with my other cars -- in all cases except one changed due to the miles covered not the time that had elapsed -- and the discoloration is about 2/3 to 3/4 of the way up the threads.

My advice is to change the plugs when they are due either because of the miles covered or the elapsed time.

Oh, and I would point out with the 15% pulley you are making more demands upon the plugs (among other things) so you should change the plugs at fewer miles than the factory calls for.

Be sure the new plugs are properly gapped.