How bad does this plug look?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

MDN123

Junior Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2023
Posts
2
Reaction score
0
Location
Missouri
Ram Year
2010
Engine
5.7 Hemi
2010 Dodge Ram 5.7 Hemi. 136,000 mi. Bought it a few months back with 131,000 miles.
Seem to be generally maintained with good records but nothing to indicate when the plugs were last changed.
Performance slowly and steadily deteriorated over last month or so, until it finally started stumbling and sputtering couple days ago and the check engine light came on. Flashing at first and then steady. Hooked up the code reader got p0303. I know that could be a lot of different things, figured I'd start at the plugs. I know they need changed, for sure. But does anyone with more plug guru-ship than myself think they're in bad enough condition to trip that code?
Any help or insight would be appreciated.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20230617_171904.jpg
    IMG_20230617_171904.jpg
    49.1 KB · Views: 18
  • IMG_20230617_171908.jpg
    IMG_20230617_171908.jpg
    49.7 KB · Views: 17
  • IMG_20230617_171913.jpg
    IMG_20230617_171913.jpg
    54.2 KB · Views: 17

Jane S

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2023
Posts
185
Reaction score
198
Location
Arizona
Ram Year
2023
Engine
5.7
The gap on third one look large.

 

mikeru

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Nov 3, 2016
Posts
2,906
Reaction score
3,966
Location
The Palouse
Ram Year
2020 Limited
Engine
Hemi 5.7L
It looks like a worn out plug from a healthy engine to me. Time to replace them and keep on truckin'.
 

GTyankee

Senior Member
Supporting Member
Military
Joined
Nov 2, 2020
Posts
10,151
Reaction score
12,801
Location
El Cajon Calif. 92021
Ram Year
2016
Engine
3.0 ecodiesel
If you recently bought this Ram & you don't know the history
It is time to update to Iridium Spark Plugs, 100,000 mile plugs used by Mopar for years now

NGK 92145 Laser Iridium; Pre-Set Gap: 0.044"
Dual Plug; OE-Recommended Gap: 0.044";
Recommended FCA IRIDIUM OE extended service part


Then do the oil & filter change
Brake fluid, power steering fluid changes
HOAT anti freeze change
 

Rlaf75

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2015
Posts
1,497
Reaction score
1,520
Location
East Hartford CT
Ram Year
2011
Engine
Hemi 5.7
They definitely need to be replaced but they look surprisingly good for that kind of mileage
 

huntergreen

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Jan 5, 2011
Posts
12,234
Reaction score
26,045
Ram Year
2016
Engine
hemi 5.7
If I’m not mistaken, 2010 model year has a 30000 mile change interval with copper core plugs. If you upgrade you also need to upgrade coil packs.
 

gtomike60

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 3, 2023
Posts
191
Reaction score
168
Location
Milford,Mass
Ram Year
2012
Engine
5.7L HEMI
The plugs are worn but they are in the correct color range(light tan)for a good working ignition system
 
OP
OP
M

MDN123

Junior Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2023
Posts
2
Reaction score
0
Location
Missouri
Ram Year
2010
Engine
5.7 Hemi
Thank you for the input, I appreciate it. That confirms what I was thinking, that they didn't look too bad for the miles on them. I did go ahead and upgrade to the NGK laser iridium plugs 92145.. also had new plug caps put on as well.
Unfortunately, the p303 code and flashing engine light is still a thing. Had the #3 and #1 coil packs and injectors switched and the code still throws as a misfire on number 3. Looking like the valve covers are probably going to have to come off. Unless it's just a carboned up valve, I'm fearing it's new cam and lifter time.
Major bummer.
Anyone have any suggestions or experience with upgrading to a non-mds cam and lifter that would be more reliable and possibly add a little extra performance?
 
Top