Today, I pulled out my spark plugs just to get an idea of how they look. Anyways, when I pulled the #1 spark plug out i noticed a very small amount of oil around the bottow rim of the spark plug....basically where the washer touches the head. There was also a little oil down inside the barrel where the spark plug sat. All together there was maybe a very small pinch of oil....probably about 0.1 cc.
I have a few questions if y'all don't mind..... (BTW, 2000 ITR w/ 55K, stock internals, never opened. car is running great otherwise.)

1. First, is this normal?
2. if it is, should i bother cleaning it out somehow? if NOT normal, what should I do?

3. unrelated, but where can I buy stock NGK platinums for my ITR for a good price?
4. also, unrelated, is it time to switch out my spark plug wires? (in terms of maintainence)

PS- Denso Iridiums SUCK!!!! When I tried to put one of the wires back on the final plug, I noticed I didn't hear a "click" when they met. So, to my surprise the freaking top part of the denso plug was broken off inside the electrode of the wire. Fortunately, before I was geting ready to call my bro to take me to Acura to buy some new plugs and wires, I realized that it actually screwed off and was stuck inside. I was able to just screw the plug back onto the part that broke off. I can't wait to get stock plugs again. I bought these denso before i knew about h-t.com where I've been learning plenty.

thanks to all in advance!

 

spark plug gaskets are probably going bad...they are like 4 bucks each from the dealer

 

yeah.. replace spark plug seals

 

just hondabond them

 

Replace the spark plug gaskets. At the same time, do a valve adjustment, and replace the valve cover gasket (if you haven't replaced it recently).

 

what does a valve adjustment and gasket change have to do with oil collection at the spark plug seals?

just wondering b/c i actually had a valve adjustment and gasket change about 12K miles ago.

 

It doesn't have to do with any thing but while everything is taken off, you might as well do it.

 

please excuse my ignorance with mechanics....

but when i first quickly read the replies, i took them as though i needed to replace the washers on the spark plugs.

now...reading more carefully, i understand i need to actually replace gaskets that are a part of the engine (and not the spark plugs)......IT THAT CORRECT?

if this is the case, is it very important that it be taken care of now?
or can i give it a few thousand miles without much worry of major damage?

thanks again y'all !

 

the gaskets are donut gaskets that go in the valve cover above the spark plugs, not in the engine itself.

as long as you don't have a big puddle in there, it can probably wait a lil bit.