So i was changing my plugs today, and noticed that on the #1 plug (rear/far left) there was clearly oil. It wasnt old caked on oil, it was fresh and still viscous. 5 of the plugs looked like this


But the one I'm describing looked like this


Now i know it happened because a seal somewhere is screwed.... but is there a way to test it? Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

 

valve cover gaskets

 

Could be a broken piston ring(s), and I assume Max valve stems, like every car I've worked on, have rubber O-ring seals that can fail? A compression test will tell you if it's a piston ring problem.

 

So either way, its not something simple, and is going to involve either headwork or a total block teardown to replace piston rings?

 

A compression test is your best bet for testing it otherwise you would have to pull the valve stem out and visually inspect. If your pursuing that method it makes more sense just to replace it as this is a very labor intensive job.

 

I have had the same problem only in the summer it happens. My rear middle spark plug will stop firing for some reason and car will sound like a Harley or sumthin and i get gas in my oil. Sounds like some serious work wherever it is.

 

this is common on the #1 plug. although I have not found a plausible explanation yet. in my case, it is not the valve cover seals, piston rings, or head gasket (I have no oil in the spark plug tube, and my compression is great on all cylinders, and I have no discernable oil consumption). check these things on your car - if they are all ok then don't worry about it.
I'll try to find an old post with my results...

 

Yes that is pretty serious. Gas in the oil, means that the fuel is being injected into the defective cylinder, but the charge does not fire, and so the injected fuel ends up 'downstairs' in the sump. The fact that it is getting into the sump, noticeably, implies that your piston rings are shot. Your motor needs a bore and hone and new pistons and rings, in other words, I'd start looking for an affordable swap.

 

As everyone else mentioned, before doing anything else perform a compression test, if that is ruled out, its definitely a valve seal

 

hopefully its the seal

 

I had the same problem with my #1 plug and a little oil in my #2....I took all the pulgs out, drained my oil. I then put new plugs in and changed my oil then checked them after driving awhile....no oil, I think I just overfilled my oil my last oil change...I put almost all 5 quarts in there...lol

 

Well I just got in from pulling the plug, and there is not a trace of oil... So im guessing it happened in the 75000 miles the old ones were on, which i believe, because my dad didnt understand the word maintainance....

 

yeah, no big deal though. I didnt notice any ill affects of it when mine were oily...

 

Same here. It feels fine to me. If it throws a CEL or starts shaking violently ill do something

 

Rest Easily...no cel, no shaking....been there, done that.

 

i would check the spark plug tube gaskets... im having a very similar problem... i wouldnt worry about it unless you are burning oil or getting a missfire....