Oil / Sticky Tar On One Of My Spark Plugs?

[Mart Pug 0]

As above, here's a couple of pics.

 

 

 

At first I though it was oil, but I've recently changed the oil, so it's still nice and clear on the dip stick. And it feels quite sticky, with no real distinctive smell to it. Weird.

 

The spark plug cap was also covered in the same stuff. As you know, I've not had the car long, and it's not yet on the road so I cannot say whether there are any running problems, when driving.

Last time I started it, it did seem to sound like it was mis firing a bit on idle, but not when I gave it a few revs.

 

Any suggestions as to causes or tests I can do to determine cause would be much appreciated!

 

Martyn

[Baz 421]

What engine is it?

 

Looks like it's on the top of the plug rather than the important at least!

[Mart Pug 0]

What engine is it?

 

Looks like it's on the top of the plug rather than the important at least!

 

 

Sorry, should have said it's a standard 1.9 engine.

 

The oil is on the bottom of the plugs, not the top? Not sure if the pics show that up.

[pugpete1108 62 1 Cars]

as baz said it looks like the electrode is dry? and the oil is above the thread so outside the head.

[Mart Pug 0]

Ah perhaps I'm thinking about the plugs the wrong way round - you guys seem to be referring to them the opposite way they go into the engine, if that makes sense?

 

So yeah, oil is "above" the thread, and not on the ceramic white end.

 

What is this telling me?

 

Cheers

[Simes 248 2 Cars]

Ah perhaps I'm thinking about the plugs the wrong way round - you guys seem to be referring to them the opposite way they go into the engine, if that makes sense?

 

So yeah, oil is "above" the thread, and not on the ceramic white end.

 

What is this telling me?

 

Cheers

 

Oil has been spilt down the plug hole and not been cleaned up.

[JRL 14 1 Cars]

check oil pipes and make sure dipsitck is completely down so oil cant be squirting around your engine bay.

[dcc 855]

black oil is carbonised, afaik oil just doesnt "turn" thick and black by being left alone.

 

what did your old oil look like?

 

does it run ok with new plugs?

[Mart Pug 0]

black oil is carbonised, afaik oil just doesnt "turn" thick and black by being left alone.

 

what did your old oil look like?

 

does it run ok with new plugs?

 

Thanks for your reply mate.

 

The previous owner changed the oil, so not sure what it looked like.

 

I have'nt ran it since finding the oily plug, just cos of work and stuff.

 

She's off to shenpar for some tlc at the weekend so we'll check compression and plugs then.