Jonny K

Yes, after changing to the new platinum plugs I now have full boost. I can use full throttle and there is no longer stutter at high boost levels. I'm still making only 16 lbs of boost and full throttle, so I suspect it's something to do with the wastegate spring or something. But regardless, I've got boost and everything works now!

None of the plugs really looked bad as far as color is concerned, but the gaps were clearly wrong. I don't know if they were like this when installed, or if they became this way with time. I certainly didn't have this boost issue back when I got these plugs.

New plug vs old:

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/111658/img_5188.jpg">


All plugs, in order from left = cylinder at back of engine bay, right = cylinder at front of engine bay.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/111658/img_5198.jpg">



The coils, held with the power of zip ties!

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/111658/img_5183.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/111658/img_5184.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/111658/img_5185.jpg">

UrSobsessed

your miss was. glad to hear that your car is running well again!

If you are running stock software, how do you get more than 16 psi of boost?

TRTW

how old are they? That whitish color means you are likely leaking oil into the combustion chamber from somewhere. At least that is what I think I am seeing. Hopefully some of the more experienced readers can weigh in. I think the most common case is poor valve guides. The world is not ending but I'd check your plugs again in 1000km or so and see how they look. For certain those deposits would have been interfering with your spark.

This being said I hope that you are taking some pride in what you have done so far. Your skill and I hope your confidence is growing and I know it has been painful at times but you're getting there. We all started somewhere and its nice to see your growth with your maintenance skills.

Jonny K

I have MRC Stage 2. Should be getting 22 lbs.

speedtek

Were they in there for 5 years or something?

Jonny K

<center><img src="http://www.865-customz.com/sparkplug/reading_spark_plugs.jpg"></center><p>According to the NGK website and this image I dug up the engine is indeed burning a bit of oil. And I can confirm that, since I add a bit every month.<ul><li><a href="http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/techinfo/spark_plugs/faq/faqread2.asp">http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/techinfo/spark_plugs/faq/faqread2.asp</a</li></ul>

speedtek

I would assume you're probably running a Bosch 3 Bar? I have to set mine to 3.1 to get it to read ambient reference pressure correctly.
And then take the time to select ambient pressure reading and restart the car so it takes a current reference. If those settings are off, your boost reading will be too.
I took a current pressure reading from the weather network on my Ipod and double checked to see which settings brought me the closest reading.

Jonny K

Yeah, I wonder about whether I'm seeing the right reading or not. I'll look into it.

speedtek

Stock units apparently don't like chipped motors very much. I noticed mine holds boost way better and the power delivery was much smoother after I installed an APR R1 diverter.

Jonny K

We'll see what it reads tomorrow when I go for a drive. I KNEW the car felt faster after it was chipped, though I wasn't sure how it felt so quick with only 10 lbs of boost. Turns out, it was probably more than just 10.

Thanks.