oily plugs

[The Dough]

I got the car a few months ago and changed the plugs straight away... approx. mileage on the car is around 150k.

The car has not been driven much since then (<500 mi) but has been started and idled repeatedly as I've been working on it.

Runs better but am still chasing an intermittent hard starting issue so after changing all the sensors, fuel lines and fuel pump...it still is difficult to start at times, so I changed the plugs.. the threads are covered in oil and the electrodes on some of the plugs are also covered in oil... especially #5 and 6 at the back of the block... here are pics...

You guys think this is from worn valve seals?

I dont think its coming from the valve cover gasket as that was also recently replaced...






With that in mind.. do you think this motor will be able to take track abuse? I plan on going to DEs with it for a few months, then racing it in Spec e30...

Thanks in advance..

[Cabriolet]

you sir have broken rings or very shot valve guide seals. dont race it.

[7pilot]

If your rocker cover is not leaking, then I would say that the rings are worn.
The oil on the plugs is probably snuffing the spark.
If you race it, you'll lose the engine, and be highly Unpopular with your playmates.

m

[The Dough]

Definitely not what I wanted to hear... but thanks for your input fellas...

If the rings were broken.. wouldn't I be blowing oil (blue smoke) out of the exhaust pipe? The thing passed inspection with reasonable numbers...

If the rings are intact... could I just swap the head and give myself some breathing room with this motor?

[PNWDan]

Does it smoke at all? Start up? Part throttle? One other possibility is the PCV. Check your intake for oil too

[E30Gus]

"The car has not been driven much since then (<500 mi) but has been started and idled repeatedly as I've been working on it. "

Is it possible that your valves seals are leaking a bit and you haven't had the engine run hot or long enough to burn off the oil accumulated on the plugs during your testing?
How about a compression test?

[Kershaw]

i had this problem on my eta, plugs #5 and #6 were oily.

i never fixed it before it got totalled. but i ruled out the head gasket and piston rings because the engine pulled really strong. if they were bad, the engine would have low compression in those cylinders. of course, i never did a compression test either. but the engine was pretty damn stout.

[The Dough]

Adjusted the valves once again and did a Compression test.

All cyl. Were at 160psi except the number 4 which was at 150 so I'm confident the rings are in good shape...

Doesn't blow any smoke at all, ever.. Pulls consistently and hard all the way to the Redline. I do have some oil in the intake boot and in the PVC hose where it connects to the valve cover.. Is this normal?

[bastianshaw]

totally normal i think its the valve guides. drive the piss out of it

[lennon]

that'd be enough oil on the plugs to worry me. i'd do a leak-down test too. but since it sounds like you haven't really driven it, i'd re-inspect after doing some normal driving, maybe with new plugs.

a little oil residue in the intake boot is normal, it shouldn't be pooling up or anything though.

[The Dough]

Ok... Im gonna autox it next weekend and see how she holds up