Spark plug ceramic broke off - Piston Damage?

[Bigfwop]

As the title suggests, I encountered a Broken piston ceramic sheath/shield as shown below.

initially encountered misfires on cyl 4 on WOT however Car ran fine if I didn't go into boost.

Checked all wiring coils and plugs on cycl4 and low and behold about half of the ceramic sheath was missing. (Explains the arching/misfiring.)
-Purchased a Borescope to asses any damage and took these photos. valves looked perfect however can't say the same for the piston.
I'm not experienced to know if this is catastrophic.
-I am not sure But can imagine that it is resiude/damage from the ceramic.. I would also think that the ceramic would have gotten obliterated but much is left to be addressed here. I'm wondering if this will go away or if the piston is totally F'd. I'm going to do a compression test in the mean-time however any advice/insight would put me at ease. Thanks in advance.

 

[Bigfwop]

Update #1 compression test came back perfect and holds.
Putting new spark plug and replacing coil.
next step I’m thinking is putting a fuel cleaner to see if it’ll come off.

 

[b4llistic]

EDIT: Thanks your finding and reading my post. Unfortunately, Spoolstreet is no longer a neutral platform where we can have honest discussions on subjects and products freely.
For this reason I have deleted all information I posted on the forums.

 

[matreyia]

The carbon pattern is totally normal. You need to get a small hose connected to a strong vacuum cleaner and try to vacuum the shit out of the affected piston. Just to be safe. I predict that the ceramic parts have long been ejected out of the engine through the exhaust valve...there is literally nowhere that particles can go except for OUT through the valve.

 

[MoreBoost]

I don't know how the piston or cylinder couldn't be severely damaged but the compression test seems to suggest other wise.

There are alot of fake NGK plugs circulating. Suspect you got one because they seem to be prone to the ceramic breaking.
Wouldn't dare use Chinese spark plugs in my car. The problem is knowing which are real and which are fake.

 

[Bigfwop]

Looks like carbon buildup. I wouldnt be too worried about that. More worried about the valve but since you have good compression, I say you dodged a bullet.
Just keep motoring on

Thanks for the feedback. Car is working perfectly at this point.

 

[fmorelli]

There are alot of fake NGK plugs circulating. Suspect you got one because they seem to be prone to the ceramic breaking.
Wouldn't dare use Chinese spark plugs in my car. The problem is knowing which are real and which are fake.

DO NOT buy NGK from Amazon. Amazon does nothing to ensure products sold on its platform (EVEN those delivered from the Amazon warehouse) are not fake. I've had this conversation with them on the phone - they "guarantee" their products is their response, which they explained that I can return the product if not satisfied.

Buy from a reputable vendor, not from a bazaar. The same holds for batteries, and any number of things being wholesale copied in China.

Filippo

 

[Scorpstan]

try ngk 5992

 

[matreyia]

DO NOT buy NGK from Amazon. Amazon does nothing to ensure products sold on its platform (EVEN those delivered from the Amazon warehouse) are not fake. I've had this conversation with them on the phone - they "guarantee" their products is their response, which they explained that I can return the product if not satisfied.

Buy from a reputable vendor, not from a bazaar. The same holds for batteries, and any number of things being wholesale copied in China.

Filippo

Yep. Buy once from FCP Euro and be done with it for life.

 

[MoreBoost]

DO NOT buy NGK from Amazon. Amazon does nothing to ensure products sold on its platform (EVEN those delivered from the Amazon warehouse) are not fake. I've had this conversation with them on the phone - they "guarantee" their products is their response, which they explained that I can return the product if not satisfied.

Buy from a reputable vendor, not from a bazaar. The same holds for batteries, and any number of things being wholesale copied in China.

Filippo

100% I ordered Ngks off Amazon. Later showed shipped from China. That was over a year ago.

Next to real ones the plugs and box look identical but I dare not use them. For the sake of £55 or $70 I will have to take the hit. Much cheaper than fixing an engine destroyed by a chunk of ceramic.

 

[NoQuarter]

DO NOT buy NGK from Amazon. Amazon does nothing to ensure products sold on its platform (EVEN those delivered from the Amazon warehouse) are not fake. I've had this conversation with them on the phone - they "guarantee" their products is their response, which they explained that I can return the product if not satisfied.

Buy from a reputable vendor, not from a bazaar. The same holds for batteries, and any number of things being wholesale copied in China.

Filippo

Agreed. No Milwaukee batteries from Amazon. I have been getting them from Home Depot only.

If they are not fake, they likely have expired warranty.