Overclocker

I have carbon deposits on the top of all four pistons on the passenger side of the car. What could it be causing it and how do I fix it?

Here’s the back-story to this. I changed my plugs this weekend and happened to have a fiber optic flashlight adaptor that could light up the combustion chamber. Well I started on the drivers side and they all looked nice and shiny like they were brand new. But when I got to the passenger side the first piston top wasn’t shiny, it was black and dirty as were all the rest on that side.

I have some theories of my own, but I’d like to run it by the very knowledgeable members here. If you need anymore details, post them and I’ll do my best to answer them.

TIA,
Wolff

Overclocker

I'll bump this with one of the theories, a head gasket problem. The carbon deposits seem to be even on all four pistons on the passenger side.

SCV8

The side without any carbon whatsoever would be the side I would suspect; maybe a coolant leak.

Overclocker

Thank you for the reply SCV8, although I'm not sure what to make of it. I've got 60k of mostly easy miles on the clock, should they be dirty?