I took my cylinder head off and noticed that the valves and exhaust ports on cylinder #4 were much dryer than all the rest. The plug in #4 was dry and tan colored, while the other 3 were dark brown and wet. Is this a rich condition in #1,2,& 3 or a lean condition in #4?

 

from what it seems is that 12&3 are running rich and 4 is lean just cuz when you have a rich condition the plug normally gets like that

 

Well either #4 is normal and 1,2 & 3 are too rich.

OR

#1,2 & 3 are normal and #4 is too lean.

 

IMO i think 1 2 and 3 are normal. the number 4 looks lean. its like normal wear and tear?

 

I am willing to bet that the EGR ports are clogged on 1, 2 & 3 while 4 is getting the most EGR gasses, it is very difficult for only one cylinder to run rich or lean, the O2 sensor richens up or leans out all injectors to attempt to balance things out, if #4 was lean and the O2 tried to clean it up and make it run normal then it would look normal and the other three would be way rich, blacker than this. Clean the EGR ports too. The O2 does not see all this EGR as it is an inert gas.

EDIT
Can you show us #4 and one other plug looking down into the inside of the plugs.

 

I wont be able to get pics of the plugs for a day or two. But like I said, #4 was "dry", while the other 3 were wet - never pulled a set of wet plugs out before in any of the cars I've driven, which is leading me to believe that the #4 is running normal, while #1,2 & 3 are rich. Found this pic of a head on eBay and all the chambers look like my #4...



Cleaning the EGR ports will fix this? Could I have a faulty O2 sensor?

 

ttt

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Duane_in_Japan &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I am willing to bet that the EGR ports are clogged on 1, 2 & 3 while 4 is getting the most EGR gasses, it is very difficult for only one cylinder to run rich or lean, the O2 sensor richens up or leans out all injectors to attempt to balance things out, if #4 was lean and the O2 tried to clean it up and make it run normal then it would look normal and the other three would be way rich, blacker than this. Clean the EGR ports too. The O2 does not see all this EGR as it is an inert gas.

EDIT
Can you show us #4 and one other plug looking down into the inside of the plugs.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Integras do not have EGR ports or any EGR system for that matter.

A clogged injector can lead to one cylinder running lean and the rest rich per O2 sensor compensation. OP, did you have any misfires?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dogginator &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
OP, did you have any misfires?</TD></TR></TABLE>

The engine would run rough for about 10 - 15 seconds upon start up, but would then run fine. No CELs though. I had experienced a similar condition last year, and I was getting a misfire CEL, but new plugs & wires fixed it. At that time, plugs in cylinder 1 - 3 appeared wet, just as they did this time around.

Are you suggesting that having my injectors cleaned & flow tested would fix this? I was planning on doing this since the head will be off at a machine shop for a few days anyway. Hoping to get this rich/lean condition fixed now while the head is off.

 

I would either replace the injectors or have them cleaned and flow tested. You could also consider a bad connection between the ECU and the injector. Perhaps you should have them flow check before cleaning to see if the #4 injector has flow issues.

 

Dont spend your money on parts until you have them properly tested, I am thinking that the wetness is from oil, not fuel, rich burning will just leave heavier black soot, not wet cylinders, unless the car would not start. YOur head should get new valve guide seals and then do a leak down test when everything is back together and running first. Burning oil will be dark too.

Are those exhaust ports wet too, if so I would suspect oil and rings, if the back side of the intake valves are wet then I would suspect valve guide seals, do you still have the head on hand.

 

Exhaust ports (on 1,2 & 3) appear wet too. - That was the first thing I noticed when I got the Ex. manifold off.

I ordered a full cylinder head gasket kit from Honda - head gasket, intake & exhaust gasket, valve stem seals, and valve cover gasket, etc, so I'm hoping that should fix any oil leaks (if any) in the CC. Curious though, would oil leaking into the CC cause white smoke in the exhaust? If so, I have not had any white smoke, nor have I seen any oil in the coolant or vice versa.

 

1-3 do appear a bit wet, but I wouldnt worry about it until the head is back. Just toss a couple new gaskets in and youll be fine.
When it comes to number 4, I would also guess that your experiencing an injector issue. Clean and Balance, or if you have future plans for the engine, upgrade!

 

BTW, 1, 2, &3 are off....#4 is right. My question is, have you been running an injector/engine cleaner/additive through your engine? That red tint in 1-3 generally shows some type of additive. If the exhaust ports are wet though, that means something is wrong. Could be anything from a leak to bent valves. I would take the head to a shop and have them do a leak down test on it and make sure all your valves are sealing.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 95 integra &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">BTW, 1, 2, &3 are off....#4 is right. My question is, have you been running an injector/engine cleaner/additive through your engine? That red tint in 1-3 generally shows some type of additive. If the exhaust ports are wet though, that means something is wrong.</TD></TR></TABLE>

No additives. Exhaust ports were wet though.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 95 integra &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">BTW, 1, 2, &3 are off....#4 is right.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm with him, your cylinders shouldn't be wet. Any gas in there should be burnt up and if you were running rich everything would be really black, not wet. You have an oil leak somewhere in the head. Did the car smoke when the motor was in it?