# Sparks, Carbon......100k! **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [December 16, 2024, 5:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sparks-carbon-100k/198404 "2024-12-16T17:25:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2024, 5:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sparks-carbon-100k/198404/1 "2024-12-16T17:25:57Z")
Its a 2nd Gen Mazda 5 with 113k. It uses the most expensive NGK sparks, Iridium Laser. I changed them. I use Mobil1 and also posted a Oil analysis an year ago. > [@Did an oil analysis on my Mazda](https://community.cartalk.com/t/did-an-oil-analysis-on-my-mazda/194307): > > I did the Blackstone oil test after 5k and 18months or so - just the iron is a bit high - perhaps city driving. Viscosity is in the range. Oil was dark but they say color of oil is not an indicator. I noticed significant engine braking on a freeway so I rushed and did the oil change. I do not know if it has anything to do with engine oil. Should I change at 1yr mark? Scotty tells that 5k or seals gets damaged. Here is the results. #2 and #3 sparks have some carbon. Those two were easy to remove too. Parts store told me Platinum worn out resulting in an increased gap (400 to 600). He thinks that I should use 5w-20 instead of 0w-20 and also carbon clean the engine. Oil is also become dark after 5k and 1yr - going to change it. Thoughts advice? **Update:** Sparks were changed then and there. $18 a piece. ![20241217_112553](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/8/6/86fc75955ae1480978053131295ed86dbc5c1454.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2024, 6:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sparks-carbon-100k/198404/2 "2024-12-16T18:39:21Z")
Use the oil that Mazda recommends unless the oil analysis shows problems. Have you considered checking the plugs at 50,000 miles and gapping them accordingly? ---
**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2024, 6:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sparks-carbon-100k/198404/3 "2024-12-16T18:42:09Z")
> [@jtsanders](#): > > Use the oil that Mazda recommends unless the oil analysis shows problems. Have you considered checking the plugs at 50,000 miles and gapping them accordingly? Bought it at 88k - asked the dealer if they can ask the original owner whether they did it or not. They shyed away. Common wisdom seems to change it at 110k so I waited. Inflation might have also caused the price to go up while I wait! ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2024, 6:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sparks-carbon-100k/198404/4 "2024-12-16T18:59:52Z")
As the oil analyzers said, the color of the oil is not that meaningful. As for carbon on the plugs, that’s not all that odd - depending. If you still have them, line them all by cylinder # and shoot some pics. Use whatever oil and plugs Mazda specified for the car. I surely wouldn’t listen to a “parts store guy” (generally speaking - it depends). ---
**Author:** ![ledhed75](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f6c823/32.png) [@ledhed75](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ledhed75)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2024, 7:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sparks-carbon-100k/198404/5 "2024-12-16T19:07:25Z")
My advice? Worry about something else. Unless there’s a noticeable change in performance, etc… it’s more likely that you’ll damage the cylinder head or spark plug coil packs trying to “check” the spark plugs. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2024, 7:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sparks-carbon-100k/198404/6 "2024-12-16T19:40:54Z")
When you buy a used car, it is expected to have to spend a little time and money making maintenance and repairs current. Tires, plugs, coolant, brakes, fluids, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2024, 7:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sparks-carbon-100k/198404/7 "2024-12-16T19:48:08Z")
> [@sciconf](#): > > Parts store told me Platinum worn out resulting in an increased gap (400 to 600). He thinks that I should use 5w-20 instead of 0w-20 Parts counter people are NOT mechanics, they are salespeople. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2024, 7:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sparks-carbon-100k/198404/8 "2024-12-16T19:52:55Z")
I would use exactly the brand and model plug installed as original equipment, the type and grade oil specified for it, and would ignore the parts guy’s opinions. ---
**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2024, 9:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sparks-carbon-100k/198404/9 "2024-12-16T21:54:45Z")
> [@cigroller](#): > > As for carbon on the plugs, that’s not all that odd - depending. If you still have them, line them all by cylinder # and shoot some pics. I can take photos. Do u want me to post here? As I updated the OP, I already changed the sparks $18/piece ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2024, 10:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sparks-carbon-100k/198404/10 "2024-12-16T22:10:42Z")
Last time I was at the Acura dealer they suggested spark plugs. Said about $360, so thats about $60 each. Still gonna do it next time though. ---
**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2024, 10:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sparks-carbon-100k/198404/11 "2024-12-16T22:13:36Z")
> [@sciconf](#): > > Oil is also become dark after 5k and 1yr Oil will become darker as the engine is used. Advice - change the oil as recommended in owner’s manual and I would change it at least every 6 months even if you don’t make the recommended mileage in the owner’s manual I only drive about 2k every 6 months. and change the oil every 6 months. My car takes 7 quarts @ about $13 a quart. I usually wait until it’s on sale and by a few cases. . ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2024, 10:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sparks-carbon-100k/198404/12 "2024-12-16T22:15:57Z")
> [@sciconf](#): > > I can take photos. Do u want me to post here? Well, I don’t really care… LOL. But yes, if you post pic(s) here, then everyone can look at what you’re talking about and perhaps say whether they think anything bad is going on. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2024, 10:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sparks-carbon-100k/198404/13 "2024-12-16T22:26:26Z")
> [@jtsanders](#): > > . Have you considered checking the plugs at 50,000 miles and gapping them accordingly? Are you sure it is possible to modify the gap? Some newer tech plugs can’t be gapped w/o risking breaking the electrode. - ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2024, 11:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sparks-carbon-100k/198404/14 "2024-12-16T23:02:37Z")
Don’t check the plugs mid interval. The reason is that new plugs come with an anti-seize plating on them. They can go hundreds of thousands of miles without seizing. However if you remove the plug, you scrapes some of that plating off and it could seize shortly after reinserting them. You can use an anti-seize compound if you reinsert them which will prevent seizing. Some of the early anti-seize plating was not compatible with anti-seize compound but I believe that is no longer the case. You have to be very careful with the compound because you do not want to get it on the spark plug tips (electrodes). It can short then out causing a misfire. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2024, 12:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sparks-carbon-100k/198404/15 "2024-12-17T00:02:56Z")
> [@cigroller](#): > > As the oil analyzers said, the color of the oil is not that meaningful. Anyone remember the Graphite oil from Arco? t was black right out of the can. ---
**Author:** ![JoeMario](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3bc359/32.png) [@JoeMario](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JoeMario)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2024, 3:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sparks-carbon-100k/198404/16 "2024-12-17T03:23:36Z")
> [@](#): > > Anyone remember the Graphite oil from Arco? t was black right out of the can. Sure do. I used it in my car for about a year. I can’t remember what made me smarten up and stop. I vaguely recall I began hearing horror stories about it. ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2024, 1:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sparks-carbon-100k/198404/17 "2024-12-17T13:27:54Z")
> [@Did an oil analysis on my Mazda](https://community.cartalk.com/t/did-an-oil-analysis-on-my-mazda/194307/1): > > noticed significant engine braking on a freeway so Did you find out why your transmission is doing this? There should be little engine braking unless you manually downshift. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2024, 2:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sparks-carbon-100k/198404/18 "2024-12-17T14:04:53Z")
> [@Purebred](#): > > Did you find out why your transmission is doing this? There should be little engine braking unless you manually downshift. My Tacoma uses engine braking on it’s own all the time while slowing down… ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2024, 2:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sparks-carbon-100k/198404/19 "2024-12-17T14:18:59Z")
Hmm, my domestics do not. I have to downshift at least two gears to feel the engine braking, will see less than 500 RPM increase on the tach. I rarely do it, if light traffic, I will just let off the gas earlier. Heavier traffic just use brakes on the exit ramp. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2024, 2:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sparks-carbon-100k/198404/20 "2024-12-17T14:49:42Z")
Either way, I can’t see engine braking as a sign one needs an oil change. [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sparks-carbon-100k/198404.md?page=2)