Oil on plug threads HELP! - Honda Prelude Forum

a1andres · 12-06-2001, 09:43 AM

OK doing some routine checking on the car this am.., just taking the plugs out and ispecting them.... They have some carbon deposit and I can tell that the engine is runnig a little rich.. no biggie really...

BUT i got to the number 1 or is it 4 cylinder? the one CLOSEST to the distributor. Pull it out and there is some oil JUST on the threads of the spark plug.. I wiped it off re-installed it and then removed it again.. Once again some oil on the threads of the spark plug.

Ok some backround.. the car is an Oil guzzler.. It also has a smallish oil leak that seems to come and go... But I keep it full of oil and it runs fine..

SO what does the oil on the thread of the plug mean.. I am NOT talking about the white insulator part, but the actual threading. THe "electrode" part of the plugs looks just like the other plugs. no visible signs of oil there.. so what is it.. time for a rebuild or what? the car has 136k miles on it and it is NOT babied.. I mean I change the oil every 2.5k and keep it well maintained but I run the crap out of it on a regular basis..

PROGNOSIS??

thanks,
andres

Tola · 12-06-2001, 09:49 AM

Maybe it's your O ring gasket on your valve cover? When's the last time you pulled your cover? I notice my gasket was kinda deteriorating and a have a little oil on the thread of my plugs as well.

a1andres · 12-06-2001, 09:53 AM

I was thinking it might be that, but I though that becuase the oil is on the threads, then it might be a bad ring or something.. cause there is no oil on the white insulator side of the plugs, just the thread???

Tola · 12-06-2001, 10:00 AM

As far as I can remember, yes, the oil was just on the thread and not on the white insulator.

93si4ws · 12-06-2001, 10:42 AM

if oil is dripping from the orings on top of the plugs and its seeping below to the threads, then you might suspect the plug gasket. the lil crush ring on the plug that seals when you tighten, maybe you're tightening to much, maybe they're just worn from you pulling them alot, maybe the plug fairy dont like you. could be any one of many things.

you could get a set of plugs from nrg-racing.com. i got my plugs one step colder for 12 shipped ngk. aj is the man.

a1andres · 12-06-2001, 01:10 PM

WelL The plugs are fairly new, LEss then 5000 miles on them. I think my engine is just olD and worn... but it stiLl runs real strong.. so I am gonna systematicallY repLAce any and all seals that have ANYTHING to do with allowin oiL to Leak once I get my helms after XMAS!

Phamine · 12-06-2001, 05:41 PM

Check your valve cover seal. Take out the spark plug wire and feel inside of cylinder. If you it feels slcik - your valve cover seal is the culprit. Also, I guess you didn't check when the plug was in. Do so the next time and check if there is a little oil puddle with the spark plug in. That's the valve cover as well. I really doubt you'll see the oil on the threads if it were anything else but the valve cover seal.