I was cleaning under my car this evening, when I seen something that really caught my eye.

My #1 plug had a huge drop of oil hanging off it. I had the car jacked up one one side, the pass. side. But it looked like oil had been draining off one that one plug hole, on #1. And right under it, oil was drained on the block.

I pulled the plug and wiped it down. It looked normal. But it did have some oil stains around the porcelan (sp) area. They are NGK TR 55's, fyi.

What would cause oil to slowly drain out of the spark plug hole?? Is the piston ring going bad? Should I pull the valve covers and look over the springs? Could it be valve seals? I haven't ever noticed any smoke upon start up

I have always noticed a little oil around the threads of the plugs, but never seen anything like this.

I would love some insite on this issue. I take this car on trips, just need to know how much it should worry me It is a 95 LT1.

Thanks...

 

I recommend repairing the leaking valve cover gasket first...........

 

There is no leak at the valve cover. This leak is under coming from under the actual spark plug. It looks like it is coming out of the spark plug hole. This is the only one I can see that has this kind of *leak*.

 

Anyone???

 

It's quite possible it was leaking out of the spark plug hole. I just had one a little loose for about 10 miles the other day and it was starting to leak out and down the head. Wipe it down good and reinstall the plug if the threads look good and see if it keeps leaking.

 

If you've got actual OIL coming out of a sparkplug hole you got PROBLEMS! If that plug isnt fouling out on an almost daily basis, Im willing to bet that the oil IS coming from the valve cover and NOT the sparkplug hole.

 

changing the valve cover gasket wouldn't hurt anyway.....should at least give you more confidence in what the problem is after observing once it is changed.

 

I took out a plug this morning and it had oil on the outer part of the threads. I can assure you it did not come from the inside of the cylinder. The pocket caused by the hole for the plug makes a perfect place for the slightest drop to accumulate. My car doesn't leave any oil drops under it either.

 

Thanks for the great replies!

I went ahead and bought another plug to replace it. I cleaned it up, and put it in there. The plug is not oil fouled, and the car runs fine. Which is why it was so confusing. I can assure you it is coming from under the plug, and no where near the valve cover. I checked it all very well.

I am going to run it for a while, and check that one every day. It is not a daily driver though. I wish I would have taken a pic of it before I touched it.

Thanks for everyone's help with this