OEM Spark Plugs after 10K Miles - Mixed Results - PIC HEAVY

[milk]

I replaced my spark plugs with the OEM NGKs about 10k miles ago and just pulled them all while replacing a suspected bad coil pack on cylinder 2 (misfire code came up Saturday night, drove about 3 miles with the code)

I'm a bit disappointed with the condition of the spark plugs, especially on cylinders 5-8 (driver side bank) for the limited miles. With the mixed results what would you guys suggest looking into first? A bit lost on whether or not this is a big issue or minor things. Also, I lose about a quart every 800mi but I guess that's maybe within spec according to Audi?

Link individual pictures of plugs: https://goo.gl/photos/hUJgE6VwG6ZBDuh69
Cylinder/Plug 1: OK, some carbon deposits
Cylinder/Plug 2: Oil fouled (likely from misfire)
Cylinder/Plug 3: Looks healthy
Cylinder/Plug 4: Looks healthy
Cylinder/Plug 5: Oil fouling and some small deposits
Cylinder/Plug 6: Some oil around washer, small deformities on nodes
Cylinder/Plug 7: Some oil around washer, small deformities on nodes
Cylinder/Plug 8: Oil around washer, small deformities on nodes

[shellraider]

I replaced my spark plugs with the OEM NGKs about 10k miles ago and just pulled them all while replacing a suspected bad coil pack on cylinder 2 (misfire code came up Saturday night, drove about 3 miles with the code)

I'm a bit disappointed with the condition of the spark plugs, especially on cylinders 5-8 (driver side bank) for the limited miles. With the mixed results what would you guys suggest looking into first? A bit lost on whether or not this is a big issue or minor things. Also, I lose about a quart every 800mi but I guess that's maybe within spec according to Audi?

Link individual pictures of plugs: https://goo.gl/photos/hUJgE6VwG6ZBDuh69
Cylinder/Plug 1: OK, some carbon deposits
Cylinder/Plug 2: Oil fouled (likely from misfire)
Cylinder/Plug 3: Looks healthy
Cylinder/Plug 4: Looks healthy
Cylinder/Plug 5: Oil fouling and some small deposits
Cylinder/Plug 6: Some oil around washer, small deformities on nodes
Cylinder/Plug 7: Some oil around washer, small deformities on nodes
Cylinder/Plug 8: Oil around washer, small deformities on nodes

Not within Audi Spec. Take her into the dealer and have them diagnose it/set you up for a consumption test.

[Bordom]

You have cylinder issues with all that oil on the plugs. Valve cover gaskets leaking?

How is your compression?

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[milk]

Both valve cover gaskets replaced around same time these plugs were put in (~10k miles ago)
At the same time as valve cover gaskets: had intake spacers, new intake manifold, new suction pump, new breather hose installed.

Put all new plugs (x8) in last night and replaced coil pack in cylinder 2: misfire in #2 cleared and it's driving fine. Have a small road trip this weekend (~400 miles) and will pull everything next week and do a compression test. Wanted to put new plugs in for the road trip so that if they look at all bad after only 400 miles it will at least tell me how screwed I am...

[Gosser]

Both valve cover gaskets replaced around same time these plugs were put in (~10k miles ago)
At the same time as valve cover gaskets: had intake spacers, new intake manifold, new suction pump, new breather hose installed.

Put all new plugs (x8) in last night and replaced coil pack in cylinder 2: misfire in #2 cleared and it's driving fine. Have a small road trip this weekend (~400 miles) and will pull everything next week and do a compression test. Wanted to put new plugs in for the road trip so that if they look at all bad after only 400 miles it will at least tell me how screwed I am...

Silly question, but when you replaced the valve cover gaskets, you did the spark plug ring gaskets as well?

[neilpaku]

I would check the valve guide seals after checking compression. Mine were cooked solid and did nothing to prevent oil escaping. I wouldn't be surprised if that's where most of my oil consumption went. Pull the intake manifold and poke them at the end where the wiping surface is. If they're hard, and you see a lot of oil on the valve stem, then that's something to be addressed. I had guides replaced and the shop fitted my new seals at the same time for 800 for the pair of heads. Valves were good.
Don't assume it's rings/bore (but it could be obviously...). Check the easy(er) stuff first.

[milk]

Silly question, but when you replaced the valve cover gaskets, you did the spark plug ring gaskets as well?

I believe so, reputable shop installed and these are the part #s on the invoice: 077198025C and 077198025B

I would check the valve guide seals after checking compression. Mine were cooked solid and did nothing to prevent oil escaping. I wouldn't be surprised if that's where most of my oil consumption went. Pull the intake manifold and poke them at the end where the wiping surface is. If they're hard, and you see a lot of oil on the valve stem, then that's something to be addressed. I had guides replaced and the shop fitted my new seals at the same time for 800 for the pair of heads. Valves were good.
Don't assume it's rings/bore (but it could be obviously...). Check the easy(er) stuff first.

Cool thanks, will check this also. I'm also wondering if I need to replace the PCV valve (probably). The breather host and suction pump were replaced but not the PCV valve

And I'm hearing rumors that I shouldn't be engine braking or no-load coasting... I need to do more research on this but if anyone wants to chime in I'm all ears. I typically engine brake in traffic which is all the time because I live in Seattle, motorist hell.

[QIKRNU]

When you engine brake, then accelerate, do you see oil smoke in your mirror?

[milk]

Have never noticed any smoke in my mirror under any normal driving conditions which I find odd for my level of oil consumption. When the temperature is right (cold/humid) I see the normal 'condensation smoke'. Piggie pipes and Milltek for what it's worth

[Dr. s4]

When you engine brake, then accelerate, do you see oil smoke in your mirror?

I get this on the occasion, that means valve guides/seals are bad right?


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[QIKRNU]

I get this on the occasion, that means valve guides/seals are bad right?


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Typically, yes.

[neilpaku]

Nothing "wrong" with engine braking although each to his own - if anything, it can alert you precisely to a worn guide issue or similar where high vacuum exacerbates a problem that might otherwise go undetected.

[QIKRNU]

Didn't mean to imply there was anything wrong with engine braking, I do it a lot in my Avant. Fun to match the revs correctly.

[neilpaku]

I know, just adding my two cents : ) Former truck driver so sort of inclined to engine braking : )

[milk]

Update -
About 10K on the new plugs (from late 2016) and I just got a misfire on cylinder 8 code. Pulled the plugs again and made another album with comments for each cylinder.

I was planning to replace valve cover gaskets next week. Based on the original plugs from two years ago, and their replacements now (both had about 10K miles), what else should I be looking into?
Compression, valve cover gaskets, pcv (tested by pulling oil cap and no change exhibited)
https://photos.app.goo.gl/EWuE6s7cRbyVuSdA2