96 Civic EX

I was curious if you have bad piston rings or say valve seals, would the plugs be oily or black build up?

 

How to Read Spark Plugs.
http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/tech_su...qs/faqread.asp

Do a compression or leakdown test.

 

I did look at that, but black condition leads more towards carbon not burning of oil, I was curious if the 2 conditions stated above will read off the plugs.

 

Why sit there wondering? Do the tests!

 

From NGK "If the deposits are wet, it can be an indication of a breached head gasket, poor oil control from ring or valvetrain problems or an extremely rich condition - depending on the nature of the liquid present at the firing tip. "

I just pulled my plugs the other day, that is why I asked the question. They were not wet at all and the color was the tanish/gray color.

 

Your question is answered here.
So in English, if you have oil it's the rings or valvetrain.

 

At first I didn't see it because it was at the top of the article, not where the pictures were.

 

Now do the compression/leakdown tests.