Spark Plug Condition
 

I removed the plugs from my truck today.

1992 F150 5.0 engine 184,000 miles. Plugs have about 18,000 on them but have been installed for 30 months, I don't drive the truck every day anymore.

I fixed 95% of my problem with a new computer and am working on a slightly rough idle and decided to try plugs.

Do these plugs look abnormally sooty? I don't seem to remember seeing them like this before.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...C/P7020001.jpg

Thanks

Soot on the OUTside suggests an exhaust leak near that plug. Read these captions:

https://www.supermotors.net/getfile/...2greaseman.jpg

That has nothing to do with the plugs' conditions - this is how you read a spark plug:

https://www.supermotors.net/getfile/...rkplugdiag.jpg