condensation on spark plugs, what can i do to fix it?

Do you mean condensation on the outside of the plug, or are you getting fouling on the internal parts??

If the plugs are not sparking, chances are that the spark plug cables are bad, or you have carbon fouling at the electrodes. Clearly there can be other reasons for plugs not to fire.

condensation around the spark plug's insulator. in another subject is there posible that gas and water could be mixing?

If the water is on the inside of the cylinder, you have gas and water mixing and it's time to check the head gasket.

If the water is on the outside of the cylinder, try dielectric grease.

--scott

Water vapor is a byproduct of combustion. Any engine will produce it, and we see it as fog coming out of the tailpipe on a cold day. If your engine is really cold, it might start and quit immediately due to insufficient fuel, or it may just fire weakly enough that it doesn't quite catch and start running on its own. In either case, the water vapor produced by the little bit of firing that did occur will condense on all the cold surfaces in the cylinder, including the sparkplugs, and will short them. You have to either warm the engine before trying again, or remove the plugs and dry them off. Warming the engine is the better bet. I had an ancient tractor that would do this to me every winter, and I would remove the plugs and torch them a bit to dry them off. I never did get around to installing a block heater, there being too many other interesting things to do in the summer, and would regret it as soon as I wanted to push some snow. That same water vapor is blown past the rings with any other gases that get by them, and most engines will pass at least some. On short trips it won't get boiled off properly since the oil doesn't get warm enough, and will collect in the crankcase, mix with the oil, and nasty things happen. In the presence of metals and water, oil will break down and combine with the hydrogen and oxygen of the water and form acids that eat your engine from the inside.

Dan

I had an air cooled VW bug that liked to condensate freeze over the spark plug tips in really cold weather. Had to pull the plugs and warm them too many times.

Mike

86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00 'New' frame in the works for '08. Some Canadian Bush Trip and Build Photos:

if the distributor cap and plug wires are a bit wet, then it may help to dry them off with a pistol type hair dryer. That could get your vehicle running until you have a chance to replace what ever is defective. You might have a cracked distributor cap or defective plug wires.

98Cavalier doesn't have a distributor. He probably has a bad ignition module.

It could be an ignition module,bad wires, bad DIS transformers, etc

If it's a 2.8 or a 3.1 V-6:

Most likely you have a leaking intake manifold gasket.

If it has overheated a few times, you'll also need a head gasket, and maybe a head too.

Each ignition cable goes to a separate ignition coil on the late 88 V-6's.

I hope this helps.

98 does not have the 2.8 that was gone way before that the plugs cool off way before the engine does and the hot air in the engine might cause moisture to form on the plugs under the right environmental conditions but that is stretching it

Ref> If it's a 2.8 or a 3.1 V-6:

Don't see how since no V-6 was offered in the 1998 Cavalier.

Really?

Certainly a possibility with either of the two 4 cylinder engines available that year.

Twasn't the case in 88 nor is it the case with this 98.

I don't think so...

Really:

I have an 89 Cavalier Z24 with a 2.8 manual, a 90 cavalier 2.8 with auto.

Were the 3.1's stolen?

I hope you're sure about that?

Check some reliable information, you'll see all the GM's like the Pontiac and the Buick were offered with a 2.8 in 88 and 89.

The 3.1 was an option in 90 and standard in 91.

RK

I read it as an 88:

Need glasses.

But the 88. 89 and 90 had the 2,8.

However, you seem to contradict everyone, are you a bit insecure?

It's a 98. No V-6 engine in 98 Cavalier

Sorry, I'm a mechanic, not an Optometrist.

And?

Not everyone. However, I'll contradict anyone who gives bullshit information.

Not in the least.

Now I get to ask a question; Do you know what the f*ck you're talking about?

Sure about what? That the OPs car is a 98? Well, that's what he stated, who am I to disagree?

I have reliable information a few mouse clicks away. I also know I've never seen a V-6 engine in a 1998 Chevy Cavalier. (not stock anyway) I further know that the 2.8 and 3.1 liter V-6 engines that were offered in 1988 and 1998 did not have 6 ignition coils, but if that's what you sell your customers, good luck not getting caught.

And what does information about a 20 year old car have to do with a 10 year old car?

Ya lost me there...

With most plug wiring setups, the rubber insulator around the plug covers most of the porcelain. If yours do not, try finding a set of aftermarket plug wires with a longer plug insulator.

you might have a bad head gasket seal. or spark plug seals.

In fact:

I do asshole, but now I'll troll for your mistakes.

I see you tried the same shit with Marsh Monster, and he tore you a new one.

I counted them, I made three mistakes, and I do have a life, out of here and am a well respected technician in my area. So you being a mechanic means you're a grease monkey.

Bye woman.

PS You can only dream of an AAR Cuda, but however I did restore one, that the couple paid 350K for. What's your claim to fame other than troll?