2006 Dakota 4.7L HO
35000 miles

300 miles ago, I changed my plugs with the factory recommended plug. Champion RC7PYCB4. Gapped to 0.040

Took them out tonight to see how they were coloring. The ground electrode has this weird white powder on it, and the insulator is bright white. ALL 8 plugs are this way (rules out coolant leak)

Doesn't the computer control the mixture, how could it be running lean. Is the computer not controlling the timing properly?

PIC:

 

Do you use a lot of fuel injector cleaner? excessive use can cause build up.
You plugs should be light brown in color. Your plugs may be too hot for your application and/or you may have a vacuum leak.

 

Not running any additives or cleaners.

 

That's not very much build up. Your plug is too hot. Most members are using autolite 3923. They also help smooth the idle out.

 

It's not very much buildup.. YET. They've only been in for ~300 miles.

And I'm running an HO, which requires (according to manual) the plug I stated. It's the same plug that was pulled out. Same heat range.

 

Crap i forgot about the ho part. You may have a vacuum leak. Or you could try ngk 4644 or autolite 3922.

 

Ya I'm just hesitant in running anything else then factory.. as this blurb seems to popup everywhere.

"CAUTION: Never substitute the original platinum tipped HO spark plug with a different part number. Serious engine damage may result."

The plugs I've used are factory heat range, and factory gapped and factory plugs..

I can't see a vacuum leak visibly anywhere, and this only started happening with new plugs, the old ones were nice and tan

 

NGK V-POWER ZFR5F-11 (2262)
NGK V-Power ZFR6F-11G (6987)
Champion 4071
straight off the kenne bell forum I am on, but mostly everyone is running the 2262

 

Sorry, I'm not sure what this means. NGK doesn't list the 2262, or the 6987 as applications for the 4.7 HO motor. And the Champion 4071 is discontinued.

Are you saying that above plug have the same heat range index as the stock plug?

 

Those plugs are too hot for the ho motor. The 5&6 heat range are autolite 3923 and 3924. The 3922 are a 7 heat range bkr7= 4644.