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08-28-2010, 02:53 AM
#6
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I've seen things like this several times (some of my own cars included). It's always been a valve cover gasket leak that seeps past the manifold gasket and puddles in the plug hole. I can see some evidence of staining at the top, though most of that residue was burned off from exhaust heat.
I'd pull the plug to verify. If there is no oil fouling on the plug tip, then I don't see how it could be coming from inside the combustion chamber. There will likely be oil on the plug threads though, since it's puddled right at the entry hole which all threads must pass through to remove the plug. But your concern should be the condition of the plug tip, not the threads.
08-28-2010, 05:24 AM
#7
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I disagree.
I've seen things like this several times (some of my own cars included). It's always been a valve cover gasket leak that seeps past the manifold gasket and puddles in the plug hole. I can see some evidence of staining at the top, though most of that residue was burned off from exhaust heat.
I'd pull the plug to verify. If there is no oil fouling on the plug tip, then I don't see how it could be coming from inside the combustion chamber. There will likely be oil on the plug threads though, since it's puddled right at the entry hole which all threads must pass through to remove the plug. But your concern should be the condition of the plug tip, not the threads.
I've seen things like this several times (some of my own cars included). It's always been a valve cover gasket leak that seeps past the manifold gasket and puddles in the plug hole. I can see some evidence of staining at the top, though most of that residue was burned off from exhaust heat.
I'd pull the plug to verify. If there is no oil fouling on the plug tip, then I don't see how it could be coming from inside the combustion chamber. There will likely be oil on the plug threads though, since it's puddled right at the entry hole which all threads must pass through to remove the plug. But your concern should be the condition of the plug tip, not the threads.
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08-28-2010, 11:41 AM
#8
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Light brown/tan or light gray is a good color.
If there are no oil deposits on the tip, then this oil is certainly not coming from inside the combustion chamber. Most likely a minor valve cover gasket leak. My '98 has this same issue on the #7 plug (looks similar to yours, but less residue). I've even found the spot up by the valve cover gasket where it's seeping, I just haven't done anything about it yet because it's so minor. Just like yours, my plug tip looks nice and clean.
If there are no oil deposits on the tip, then this oil is certainly not coming from inside the combustion chamber. Most likely a minor valve cover gasket leak. My '98 has this same issue on the #7 plug (looks similar to yours, but less residue). I've even found the spot up by the valve cover gasket where it's seeping, I just haven't done anything about it yet because it's so minor. Just like yours, my plug tip looks nice and clean.
Last edited by RPM WS6; 08-28-2010 at 11:53 AM.
