Mysterious blue powder...

DoreSlamR · 25-03-2008, 01:39 PM

Hi guys, The old ute is up to it's tricks again and refuses to start, it turns over but won't fire. I recently replaced the crank angle sensor because this was playing up. Also the plugs and leads are pretty new. I've deduced that there is no spark getting to the leads, this makes me think the coil pack is gone, but from what i've read, they seem to make the car run rough before they completely die. Is this true or can they let go without any warning?

Another quick question, which may tie it all in, is when i took the number 5 lead off the plug, the contact was coated in a type of blueish powder. Has anyone seen this before? could this play some part in why the car won't start?

Cheers for any help!!

Chad

InfernoSR · 25-03-2008, 01:41 PM

Are the leads blue?

DoreSlamR · 25-03-2008, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLUEPRINT

Are the leads blue?

Black topgun leads....the powder is all over the metal clip bit that clips onto the plug...Just in case i wasn't clear enough.

Looks almost like copper oxide

InfernoSR · 25-03-2008, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoreSlamR

Black topgun leads....the powder is all over the metal clip bit that clips onto the plug...Just in case i wasn't clear enough.

Looks almost like copper oxide

ok.. i'll step back, not sure on this one...

DoreSlamR · 25-03-2008, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLUEPRINT

ok.. i'll step back, not sure on this one...

Heh no probs mate, hopefully it's nothing bad...but it does seem a bit wierd.

GoldCoastGTP · 25-03-2008, 02:07 PM

Is it he same fury stuff you sometimes get on the battery terminals - caused by overcharging.
Best way to get rid of it is very hot water and carb soda - mix it up and pour it on
2 table spoons to a cup of hot water

FGII-XR6 · 25-03-2008, 02:15 PM

replace coil pack and leads if you have copper corosion ( blue residue) and yes a coilpack can just die without warning

DoreSlamR · 25-03-2008, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by au3xr6

replace coil pack and leads if you have copper corosion ( blue residue) and yes a coilpack can just die without warning

I guess i better find a price on a new coil pack then

Also, what would cause the corrosionon the leads?

FGII-XR6 · 25-03-2008, 05:29 PM

most likely cause would be the leads not on properly so moisture gets into the connection

Brett3158 · 25-03-2008, 05:37 PM

Could it be Smurf cocaine?

DoreSlamR · 25-03-2008, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brett3158

Could it be Smurf cocaine?

LOL i tried it, all it did was make my voice really high pitched

Quote:

Originally Posted by au3xr6

most likely cause would be the leads not on properly so moisture gets into the connection

Ahh ok, bugger!
Cheers for the help

matt9889 · 25-03-2008, 06:16 PM

brush it all off with wire brush and put vasoliine on it, put some on ur battery terminals as well works better than the blue spray

**aussiblue** · 25-03-2008, 06:39 PM

The blue powder is oxidation (corrosion) and it usually occurs when you mix metals (with leads usually aluminium and copper but sometimes gold and silver - a common problem with plug in RAN in PCs). It usually means that the metal of you plug leads is different than the spark plugs tops you are clipping them onto or the distributor cap if its at the other end. The oxidation will cause poor electrical connections and the symptoms you have. So if possible and use leads, plugs and caps that use joining parts of the same metal. Also, as instructed in the Ford factory manual, use dielectric grease (often also called tune-up grease for obvious reasons) on the tops of the plugs and distributor cap when you replace the plugs lead or cap. (e.g http://tds.loctite.com/tds5/docs/DIEG-EN.pdf ). In addition to preventing the oxidation, this grease makes removing the plug leads from the plugs easier reducing the risks of a broken lead core.

Clean the oxidation off with a toothbrush, small copper wire brush or similar and apply the dielectric grease and it should all start performing as normal. But next time you have to replace part of this system try and buy bits with compatible metals.

**aussiblue** · 25-03-2008, 06:50 PM

PS Vaseline wont cut it in the high temps experienced at the top of sparke plugs (it will melt).

FGII-XR6 · 25-03-2008, 11:01 PM

on battery terminals this is fine but once you get corosion in a high voltage part like a coil best to chuck it for reliability sake

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt9889

brush it all off with wire brush and put vasoliine on it, put some on ur battery terminals as well works better than the blue spray

**aussiblue** · 25-03-2008, 11:56 PM

Dielectric grease was developed for coating the outer insulators on the sparkplugs of WWII turbocharged fighter planes to prevent voltage leaking (arcing to ground) in the thin atmosphere at the altitudes these aircraft were capable of attaining. ( see http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=98948 the only reference I could Google up but I have read this story before). So an added benefit might be more reliability next time you drive your car up Mt Everest.

The other problem with Vaseline and non-dielectric greases is that not only does it melt but it can become conductive and this mix of properties will cause ignition failure by providing a leakage path for the sparking current.