Spark Plug Colour

[JonLeeper]

I am giving the old girl a bit of TLC before a track day on Fri and have pulled a spark plugto have a look.  I thought that she was running a bit rich, as she smelt of petrol, but the plug would apear to indicate that she is running a little lean if anything.  The plug is a NGK BP6ET three prong one and the prongs are very grey heading towards white at the very tip.  I have not used these sort of plugs before and so am looking for a little advice before I head off in the wrong direction.  The car is a 179000 mile old 8v, if anyone dosent remember, and has completed a couple of good hard days at Brands this year without major drama.

Any thoughts?

Jon 

[DarnPB]

Running lean like yours may be doing will produce a similar smell to running rich. I think your mixture needs tweaking up a tad otherwise you could be causing more problems with a hot mixture. Don´t forget to increase your idle when you richen up as it will drop a little.

[JonLeeper]

Is that a considered opinion that it is running lean based on the colour or just my description?

[clipperjay]

Plug chops are only good when you drive it hard, suddenly stop then have a look 
Or you could always buy an air to fuel meter see what readings you get loads of money though 

[DarnPB]

Is that a considered opinion that it is running lean based on the colour or just my description?

Your description of the colour and the smell.

[The Mighty Elvi]