oily spark plugs
 

I checked my spark plugs today. They look ok except for oil all over two
of them. Not on the top where the spark is, but on the treads. The two
with oil on them also have a brown stain on the bottom of the ceramic
area(spark side). And the print that says "NGK R" is faded on only those
two plugs. Does anybody know what would cause all this oil? It is not
leaking from the top of the Valve Cover (O gaskets).

Also both front struts are leaking at the top inside the engine
conpartment. Does this mean they need replacing?

Thank for any help.

Doug

Re: oily spark plugs
 

Colisto <dunkacon@nowhere.com> wrote in
news:o5z%e.258098$9A2.84721@edtnps89:

> I checked my spark plugs today. They look ok except for oil all over two
> of them. Not on the top where the spark is, but on the treads. The two
> with oil on them also have a brown stain on the bottom of the ceramic
> area(spark side). And the print that says "NGK R" is faded on only those
> two plugs. Does anybody know what would cause all this oil? It is not
> leaking from the top of the Valve Cover (O gaskets).



Are you certain? That's the most common source of the leak.

Is the engine using oil?



--
TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Re: oily spark plugs
 

"Colisto" <dunkacon@nowhere.com> wrote
> I checked my spark plugs today. They look ok except for oil all over two
> of them. Not on the top where the spark is, but on the treads. The two
> with oil on them also have a brown stain on the bottom of the ceramic
> area(spark side). And the print that says "NGK R" is faded on only those
> two plugs. Does anybody know what would cause all this oil? It is not
> leaking from the top of the Valve Cover (O gaskets).

How do you there's no leaking from the spark plug tube gaskets?

When was the last time these were replaced? And did you use OEM?

Could you also post your model of Honda, year, and miles on it? This is
often helpful to those trying to help the original poster, and also is good
info for the archives.

I have a 1991 Civic and a couple of my plugs are getting oil on the thread
end (like you describe), but I think it's because I used non-OEM spark plug
tube gaskets a year or so ago.

> Also both front struts are leaking at the top inside the engine
> conpartment. Does this mean they need replacing?

You can google on that one, or of course keep checking back. I have only
limited experience on this. I'd replace them.

Re: oily spark plugs
 

"TeGGeR®" wrote:
>
> Colisto <dunkacon@nowhere.com> wrote in
> news:o5z%e.258098$9A2.84721@edtnps89:
>
> > I checked my spark plugs today. They look ok except for oil all over two
> > of them. Not on the top where the spark is, but on the treads. The two
> > with oil on them also have a brown stain on the bottom of the ceramic
> > area(spark side). And the print that says "NGK R" is faded on only those
> > two plugs. Does anybody know what would cause all this oil? It is not
> > leaking from the top of the Valve Cover (O gaskets).
>
> Are you certain? That's the most common source of the leak.

True, however, there are usually o-rings between the cam towers and the head
and these can also leak oil into the spark plug tubes. I needed to replace
these on my '88 Civic. They weren't too difficult but it's not a project
for beginners.

Eric

Re: oily spark plugs
 

In article <433F09B6.C5D5DB50@spam.now>, say.no@spam.now wrote:

> "TeGGeR®" wrote:
> >
> > Colisto <dunkacon@nowhere.com> wrote in
> > news:o5z%e.258098$9A2.84721@edtnps89:
> >
> > > I checked my spark plugs today. They look ok except for oil all over two
> > > of them. Not on the top where the spark is, but on the treads. The two
> > > with oil on them also have a brown stain on the bottom of the ceramic
> > > area(spark side). And the print that says "NGK R" is faded on only those
> > > two plugs. Does anybody know what would cause all this oil? It is not
> > > leaking from the top of the Valve Cover (O gaskets).
> >
> > Are you certain? That's the most common source of the leak.
>
> True, however, there are usually o-rings between the cam towers and the head
> and these can also leak oil into the spark plug tubes. I needed to replace
> these on my '88 Civic. They weren't too difficult but it's not a project
> for beginners.
>
> Eric

Eric,
The same thing happened on my 1993 accord about 4 years ago. I had to pay
about $300.00 to have a mechanic repair the problem. The cost would
probably much higher today.
Jason

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Re: oily spark plugs
 

Colisto wrote:
> I checked my spark plugs today. They look ok except for oil all over two
> of them. Not on the top where the spark is, but on the treads. The two
> with oil on them also have a brown stain on the bottom of the ceramic
> area(spark side). And the print that says "NGK R" is faded on only those
> two plugs. Does anybody know what would cause all this oil? It is not
> leaking from the top of the Valve Cover (O gaskets).

which two? the inner ones? have you checked the valve lash? do you
have clean injectors?

>
> Also both front struts are leaking at the top inside the engine
> conpartment. Does this mean they need replacing?

yes.

>
> Thank for any help.
>
> Doug

Re: oily spark plugs
 

jason@nospam.com (Jason) wrote in
news:jason-0110051710400001@pm4-broad-51.snlo.dialup.fix.net:

> In article <433F09B6.C5D5DB50@spam.now>, say.no@spam.now wrote:

>>
>> True, however, there are usually o-rings between the cam towers and
>> the head and these can also leak oil into the spark plug tubes. I
>> needed to replace these on my '88 Civic. They weren't too difficult
>> but it's not a project for beginners.
>>
>> Eric
>
> Eric,
> The same thing happened on my 1993 accord about 4 years ago. I had to
> pay about $300.00 to have a mechanic repair the problem.



That, unfortunately, tells us absolutely NOTHING. Could you tell us what
specifically it was that the mechanic spent $300 of your money doing?


--
TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Re: oily spark plugs
 

jim beam wrote:
> Colisto wrote:
>
>> I checked my spark plugs today. They look ok except for oil all over
>> two of them. Not on the top where the spark is, but on the treads. The
>> two with oil on them also have a brown stain on the bottom of the
>> ceramic area(spark side). And the print that says "NGK R" is faded on
>> only those two plugs. Does anybody know what would cause all this oil?
>> It is not leaking from the top of the Valve Cover (O gaskets).
>
>
> which two? the inner ones? have you checked the valve lash? do you
> have clean injectors?
>
>>
>> Also both front struts are leaking at the top inside the engine
>> conpartment. Does this mean they need replacing?
>
>
> yes.
>
>>
>> Thank for any help.
>>
>> Doug
>
>


When looking at the engine from the front, the one on the far right is
the most oily. And the other one is the second from the left. I know its
not leaking from the valve cover gasket because I can feel around with
my finger and the top area is dry as a bone.

My car is a 95 Civic Hatchback. With 353000kms or 218000mi on it.

The engine is not lose any oil at all. The only thing thats ever been
replaced in that area are the plugs and the valve cover gasket(which is
not leaking) since I've had the car(purchased at 288000kms, 177000mi). I
do not know the condition of the injectors. Never serviced them. Plugs
were not oily at the tip where the gap is.

Thanks

Re: oily spark plugs
 

Colisto wrote:
> jim beam wrote:
>
>> Colisto wrote:
>>
>>> I checked my spark plugs today. They look ok except for oil all over
>>> two of them. Not on the top where the spark is, but on the treads.
>>> The two with oil on them also have a brown stain on the bottom of the
>>> ceramic area(spark side). And the print that says "NGK R" is faded on
>>> only those two plugs. Does anybody know what would cause all this
>>> oil? It is not leaking from the top of the Valve Cover (O gaskets).
>>
>>
>>
>> which two? the inner ones? have you checked the valve lash? do you
>> have clean injectors?
>>
>>>
>>> Also both front struts are leaking at the top inside the engine
>>> conpartment. Does this mean they need replacing?
>>
>>
>>
>> yes.
>>
>>>
>>> Thank for any help.
>>>
>>> Doug
>>
>>
>>
>
>
> When looking at the engine from the front, the one on the far right is
> the most oily. And the other one is the second from the left. I know its
> not leaking from the valve cover gasket because I can feel around with
> my finger and the top area is dry as a bone.
>
> My car is a 95 Civic Hatchback. With 353000kms or 218000mi on it.
>
> The engine is not lose any oil at all. The only thing thats ever been
> replaced in that area are the plugs and the valve cover gasket(which is
> not leaking) since I've had the car(purchased at 288000kms, 177000mi). I
> do not know the condition of the injectors. Never serviced them. Plugs
> were not oily at the tip where the gap is.
>
> Thanks
>
>
do the valve lash and run some injector cleaner through it. if it's not
burning oil, has no ecu codes and runs ok, don't worry about it.

Re: oily spark plugs
 

Colisto <dunkacon@nowhere.com> wrote in
news:zvH%e.321833$on1.297645@clgrps13:


<snip>



> When looking at the engine from the front, the one on the far right is
> the most oily.


The #1 plug.


> And the other one is the second from the left.


#3.


> I know its
> not leaking from the valve cover gasket because I can feel around with
> my finger and the top area is dry as a bone.


Did you remove the valve cover so you can see inside the spark plug well
better? Or have you tried peering down the well with a strong flashlight?

I stil think you've got a gasket leak.




--
TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Re: oily spark plugs
 

TeGGeR® wrote:
> Colisto <dunkacon@nowhere.com> wrote in
> news:zvH%e.321833$on1.297645@clgrps13:
>
>
> <snip>
>
>
>
>>When looking at the engine from the front, the one on the far right is
>>the most oily.
>
>
>
> The #1 plug.
>
>
>
>>And the other one is the second from the left.
>
>
>
> #3.
>
>
>
>>I know its
>>not leaking from the valve cover gasket because I can feel around with
>>my finger and the top area is dry as a bone.
>
>
>
> Did you remove the valve cover so you can see inside the spark plug well
> better? Or have you tried peering down the well with a strong flashlight?
>
> I stil think you've got a gasket leak.
>
>
>
>

I'll have a good deep look with a flashlight. It must be leaking down
there if no oil is resident on the electrodes. What is the gasket called
in that area?

Re: oily spark plugs
 

"Colisto" <dunkacon@nowhere.com> wrote
snip
> I'll have a good deep look with a flashlight. It must be leaking down
> there if no oil is resident on the electrodes. What is the gasket called
> in that area?


It's called by a few names, but for my 1991 Civic, it's listed as "Gasket B"
under "Cylinder head cover" at
http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/...p?inputstate=5
&catcgry1=Civic&catcgry2=1991&catcgry3=4DR+LX&catc gry4=KA5MT&catcgry5=CYLIND
ER+HEAD+COVER .

Re: oily spark plugs
 

"Elle" <elle_navorski@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote in
news:GQb0f.5952$zQ3.5922@newsread1.news.pas.earthl ink.net:

> "Colisto" <dunkacon@nowhere.com> wrote
> snip
>> I'll have a good deep look with a flashlight. It must be leaking down
>> there if no oil is resident on the electrodes. What is the gasket
>> called in that area?
>
>
> It's called by a few names, but for my 1991 Civic, it's listed as
> "Gasket B" under "Cylinder head cover" at
> http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/...ay.jsp?inputst
> ate=5
> &catcgry1=Civic&catcgry2=1991&catcgry3=4DR+LX&catc gry4=KA5MT&catcgry5=C
> YLIND ER+HEAD+COVER .
>
>
>


Let's unbreak that URL, shall we?

<http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto/jsp/mws/prddisplay.jsp?inputstate=5&catcgry1=Civic&catcgry 2=1991&catcgry3=4DR+LX&catcgry4=KA5MT&catcgry5=CYL INDER+HEAD+COVER>

--
TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Re: oily spark plugs
 

TeGGeR® wrote:
> "Elle" <elle_navorski@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote in
> news:GQb0f.5952$zQ3.5922@newsread1.news.pas.earthl ink.net:
>
>
>>"Colisto" <dunkacon@nowhere.com> wrote
>>snip
>>
>>>I'll have a good deep look with a flashlight. It must be leaking down
>>>there if no oil is resident on the electrodes. What is the gasket
>>>called in that area?
>>
>>
>>It's called by a few names, but for my 1991 Civic, it's listed as
>>"Gasket B" under "Cylinder head cover" at
>>http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/...ay.jsp?inputst
>>ate=5
>>&catcgry1=Civic&catcgry2=1991&catcgry3=4DR+LX&ca tcgry4=KA5MT&catcgry5=C
>>YLIND ER+HEAD+COVER .
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
> Let's unbreak that URL, shall we?
>
> <http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto/jsp/mws/prddisplay.jsp?inputstate=5&catcgry1=Civic&catcgry 2=1991&catcgry3=4DR+LX&catcgry4=KA5MT&catcgry5=CYL INDER+HEAD+COVER>
>



That gasket is towards the top of where you put the spark plug is not
leaking. I looked down and there is a crease I can see about four inches
down and it is leaking. What is that gasket called? I assume there is is
gasket there. Gasket B is the top one I think.

Re: oily spark plugs
 

Colisto wrote:
>
> That gasket is towards the top of where you put the spark plug is not
> leaking. I looked down and there is a crease I can see about four inches
> down and it is leaking. What is that gasket called? I assume there is is
> gasket there. Gasket B is the top one I think.

Those are the o-rings that I referred to in my earlier post. They are the
parts labeled #16 & #17 in this diagram http://tinyurl.com/aby5j. The
diagram only shows two of the o-rings but there are a total of three #16s
and one of #17 that are needed. As I noted in my earlier post, they're not
a project for beginners.

Eric