Scavenger deposits

[rickwrench]

No question, just an observation.
I pulled the plugs today because the mileage had dropped off a bit and the car was missing on acceleration every now and then.
The plugs were a perfect light tan in color. The parts of the electrode I could see anyway, the scavenger deposits were HUGE. Giant globs of crusty tan gunk. On some of the plugs, half the electrode was completely covered. I couldn't believe they were even lighting the mixture. The plugs are only six months old.
Anyway, I blasted them clean, checked the gap (fine), and put them back in. Vaaaa-roooom.
Winter gas is even worse than the summer crap.
I wish I'd taken pictures.
Rick(wrench)

 

[addo]

What is the additive? What's its function?

 

[rickwrench]

Some legislative branch mandated psuedo-scientific "oxygenator". Reduces certain "emissive greenhouse gasses" about 2%, but also drops gas mileage about 10%, for an overall increase in emissions.
I have no idea what the flavor is this year. It was MTBE a few years ago, as the oil companies couldn't figure out any cheaper way of disposing of that particular toxic waste.
The requirements for a gov't approved oxygenator are:

Must cause HUGE ash/scavenger deposits.
Must dissolve fuel lines.
Must reduce mileage.
Must increase detonation.
Must be an otherwise expensive to dispose of refinery byproduct.
Must be shown to "measureably" reduce emissions in at least one Big-Oil sponsored study.

The deposits are easily removed from the plugs, but I'm afraid to think of the sludge that has deposited on the backside of the intake valve. I imagine the exhaust valve face is covered as well.
I'll be pulling the engine in the next couple months to swap in the 200 being built for the 250/2V head. I'll pull the log head off the old engine to how bad the build up is. I may even remember to take pics...
Rick(wrench)

 

[Anonymous]

The requirements for a gov't approved oxygenator are:

Must cause HUGE ash/scavenger deposits.
Must dissolve fuel lines.
Must reduce mileage.
Must increase detonation.
Must be an otherwise expensive to dispose of refinery byproduct.
Must be shown to "measureably" reduce emissions in at least one Big-Oil sponsored study.

Funny!