Question about these plugs

These plugs are out of my everyday driver, gets 14mpg but it could run a lot better. Is this coolant or is this oil? The engine doesn't use much oil at all and doesn't smoke, neither does it use coolant. These plugs probably have 5,000 miles on them. I'm trying to figure out if a head gasket and fresh cylinder head would work or if it really needs a total refresh. I had one person say the build-up looks like coolant and another say it looks like valve seal wear. If it's coolant I might as well plan on doing a complete job and have the deck resurfaced. (I haven't done a compression test, but the engine is real weak) These are E3 spark plugs.

Right before I pulled these plugs the engine had started pinging pretty bad after it has go up to temperature. I haven't heard it ping after the new plugs.

Fouling caused by low compression? You can get by if you use a hotter plug for the cylinders that are worse go up two heat ranges. Use conventional plugs instead of the E3's.

That ain't oil. They look like you dropped them in an Alabama mud hole.

maverick wrote:That ain't oil.  They look like you dropped them in an Alabama mud hole.

It's bonded on!

maverick wrote:That ain't oil.  They look like you dropped them in an Alabama mud hole.

I said low compression and nothing about oil fouling. I've seen plugs like this with burnt valves.

maverick wrote:That ain't oil.  They look like you dropped them in an Alabama mud hole.

Thanks guys, that told me what I wanted to know. I felt like it had to have major issues. I'm kinda interested in seeing what the compression numbers are now.

Dave De wrote:

maverick wrote:That ain't oil.  They look like you dropped them in an Alabama mud hole.

I said low compression and nothing about oil fouling. I've seen plugs like this with burnt valves.

The OP asked if it was coolant or oil.

Deposits that look like that can also come from additives in the fuel such as some of those "lead substitute" concoctions. It is harmless.

I agree it's additives in the gas. The heat range is good as the porcelien is nice and white. I would stay away from "hot ticket" spark plugs and go conventional.

The E3 plugs made a surprising differance compared to Walmart Autolites. BUT!!! It could have been just the new spark plugs.