Doing a tune up today. Noticed a bit of oil on #4 spark plug.
Is this bad?
I know that oil can leak due to valve cover gasket leaks. Is this a really bad one or can it go a ways?
If it really needs it, then it will have to wait till next month.

Let me know what you think

 

looks like you're running a bit rich how old are those plugs. the threads look like "glass" maybe that's just your camera tho. i'd wipe it off put it back and see if it does it again.

 

they're about 15k miles old, i just put in some new ones. I'll see what it looks like tomorrow.
The threads aren't glass they just have some **** all over them.

If it's rich I should adjust timing I guess?

 

You need new spark plug seals. They're part of the valve cover gasket kit. It's cheap. Make it happen.

 

well do what jbpnoman said then worry about it running rich(if it actually is). I know they're not really glass just said it looked like it.

 

Could be leaky valve cover. Hopefully its not a leaky head gasket, could do it too. More plugs would probably have oil if it were your head gasket. No temporary fix. New gaskets are a must.

 

Head gasket would leave oil residue on the bottom of the plug - that oil is on the top of the seal. It's the spark plug tube seal.

 

Use anti- seize on the new plugs and the threads won't get like those did.

 

Thanks guys i'll look into the gasket job.

I put anti-seize on the old ones, that's what the light brown crap is.

 

Most likely culprit as others have said is the spark plug seals.... But I must admit, you have one BA camera.

 

It's my Galaxy S3 if you can believe that.
I think it just looks so nice because it's one of the few pictures on this website that isn't blurred all to hell.
Pardon me if this is a stupid noob question as I've never done a gasket job before, do I have to remove the spark plugs when removing the valve cover?

 

No you don't need to pull them. Stuff some paper towels/rags in the holes to keep debris out
Lmao- X 2 on lousy pictures. I always take 2 shots in case 1 is crap-

 

What Engine do you have in your car? Judging from the picture you took it look's like a D series... but I just want to be sure.

 

just get a valve cover gasket set... its the tube seals leaking.

 

You don't have to, but you should just to make sure there isn't any oil on them, and clean them off if there is.

 

Thanks guys, it's pissing rain and the garage is full of books and clothes and the vanity that's never going to get refinished.

The engine is indeed a D, it's a D16Y8

 

Oops, that might have tube seals on bottom And top. I'm so used to B's. In which case, yes, you will need to pull them...

 

What's the idle supposed to be on the D16Y8 auto?
It seems to usually idle at about 750/800 when warm but sometimes it will drop down to 500 or less if I'm stopped at a light.
This is after the tuneup as well.

 

750-800 is very natural idle range for most all hondas.

 

When's the last time the throttle body bore And Both sides of the throttle plate was thoroughly cleaned? Cleaning iacv and t/b usually fixes idle issues. Check air cleaner, too. Low idle is Usually a restriction in the intake tract

 

Never since I've owned it.
I know what I'll be doing as soon as the lovely NY weather feels like unshittying itself