1993 accord 4 cylinder
replaced the spark plugs today and found the #2 cylinder spark plug completely fouled. The whole thing was dripping with oil, past the threads. In fact my spark plug socket became covered with oil from taking the spark plug out.

I read in the back of haynes that a fouled plug will result in bad acceleration and hard starting, both of which I have experienced.

It said the causes are probably worn valve guides or Piston rings.

Piston rings sounds expensive, can I replace valve guides? What's goin on with my car?

 

oil leakage = blown headgasket.....i believe....but it could be caused by any leakage in the valve train

 

it could be the head gasket, or sometimes it could be something as simple as the o rings... try replacing a o ring (cheaper) before moving on to something else.

 

Like Mike813 said, replace the valve cover o-ring seals. Usually they're sold as part of a valve cover gasket set.

If the socket was covered in oil, it would have to be the o-rings. Piston rings will foul the spark end, but you'd have a really tough time filling the spark plug tube chamber with bad piston rings or a blown headgasket