Hello again, all... I thought a new thread would be appropriate as this is a more targeted question than my previous open-ended plea for advice. Thanks for all the replies on the other thread.

I replaced the plugs a few days ago, and haven't started the engine since so I can't answer any questions about how the new plugs are faring. The old plugs' condition was strange; cylinders 1 and 4 plugs had a very whitish, dry appearance (too lean?) while cylinders 2 and 3 looked more like I'm used to seeing used plugs look; grey/black, slightly grimy but not overly shiny/wet. What would cause the difference between the cylinders? PLEASE tell me it ain't anything head or block related..

Another question, which may or may not be related. While disconnecting everything in order to remove the manifold, I noticed that a previous owner or mechanic had slit the cylinder 3 fuel injector wiring sheath about two or three inches prior to the injector terminal and installed a crimp on female spade lug connector on the white wire. Connected to that was a single red wire in its own corrugated protector which was zip-tied along one of the fuel lines and run through the firewall with the fuel line. What is THAT all about? Those crimppon splice-in connectors are, at least in my experience, a sure-fire way of insuring major wire corrosion in a short period of time.

I don't know enough about the FI system to really make any educated guesses as to what the previous mechanic was trying to accomplish or the purpose of the new connection, other than possibly bypassing a faulty wire that was simply too hard to trace. Any ideas?

Thanks again, everyone.

Best to all.

Barry