I took out my plugs to troubleshoot my misfire problem. I misfire at very low rpm, like 1000-2000 rpm. And sometimes at 5600-6200. Well anyways i pull the 3 and 4 plugs and there's oil on the boots and plug threads. #4 was drippin oil, all over the electrode and everything. Any suggestions on what could be the cause?

 

Yea man it could be your piston rings slipping oil or it could be that they where not torque all the way usually on a b series block the setting is to 13 ft-lbs. Plus what kind of plugs are they? Did you ever take out your plugs when the car was warm or hot? Remember that you are dealing with an aluminum head here!?

 

Also check the spark plug grommets that are in your valve cover. oil maybe leaking in from there.

 

That's what i think i did. Took them off when the car was hot. Damn i need a torque wrench. They were the NGK plat. I took them out and put in coppers. By the way anyone got the parts number for NGK coppers. I want to make sure i got the right ones. I bought the v power.

 

Wait a minute....if i didn't torque the plugs down enough that wouldn't cause oil to get on them.

 

yea your right there-

 

A leaky plug tube grommet would cause oil to get on the upper part of the plug (the part that the wire plugs into). The only way oil could get on the elctrode would be bad rings. Do you burn any oil or does the car smoke any when you accelerate?

 

I second that. Unless you're burning lots of oil (with a corresponding amount of smoke exiting the exhaust), it's probably oil seeping in from the top -- from the spark plug tube seals. They're cheap and easy to replace, so give them a shot first.

 

I had that problem....i think its the grommets.

 

Its gotta be the grommets. Cause i don't have smoke coming out my tail pipe. And i was even racing the day before. Damn i hope i didn't **** anything up.

 

i had the same problem oil on the threads after i did my valve clearence i didnt replace any gaskets cause they looked allright but they leaked on all 4 cylanders change that gaskets and youll be alright

 

Since they are rubber they expand and conform to size from the heat. Once removed, they must be placed exactly as they were or will leak(generally impossible) No serious damaged would have occured, unless it was completely soaked in oil. Other than that, buy a valve cover gasket set(make sure they have the spark plug grommets, some don't come with them) and you'll be alright!

 

I think the oil on the plugs thread probably wasn't there until you started unscrewing them then the oil that was pooled up on top in the plug cylinder started running down the plug as you unscrewed it. Just replace the valve gasket and plug grommets as other here have said.

 

Thanks b20. I did do a valve adjustment about 2 months ago. Went on a 3000 mile road trip and all. I think the problem just manifested. I did go to mechanic for a timing belt and water pump job. But that shouldn't cause the problem. I'll check tommorow for any oil. Fingers are crossed.

 

bad seal... or bad rings. bad rings suck

i got the same problem. bad seal and bad rings. im fixin the seal today when i get my polished valve cover back. bad rings... thats a different story $$$!

 

sounds like it's probably just the grommets. Replace those bad boys and you should be good to go. As far as burning oil..... the aging valve stem seals could be leaky causing you to burn oil while driving and not necessarily @ idle. Have someonw follow you as you drive and get on it a little. Ordinarilly, you will have some smoke, but NOT much at all. I'd say if it's anyone than a quick some "puff" of smoke when you change gears under heavy acceleration it's probably time to replace those valve stem seals.
-Erik

 

Damn....
Maybe i need to pull the valve cover and make sure i didn't **** up my valve adjustment. Wait a minute. That would mess up my valve seals now would it.....

 

Grommets sound like they are the culprit. Same thing happened to me a month ago. Each grommet is like $2.50 at your local dealer, and the install takes like 30 min.

Tom