I changed the oil about 3 weeks ago with some regular 5W/30. I bought new spark plugs and while I was changing them 3 of the 4 were soaked with oil. So at the advice of a friend, I changed the oil again, but this time put in 10W/40. I just checked the spark plugs again and they're dry. So does this mean that my piston rings are bad and the thicker oil just didn't get past them unlike the 5W/30? Will I now have to run 10W/40 til I change the rings or do a swap?

 

I doubt it's your piston rings, but it may be your valve guide seals and/or valve guides. How many miles on the engine? I don't think it's the piston rings because, when I had my engine looked over at 150,000 miles, the piston rings had only 4% leakdown.

It's probably oil seeping past the valve guide seals. Those are a pain in the arse to replace with the cylinder head on the car, and taking the head off is equally painful and expensive. If the problem went away with the thicker oil, just keep using it.

 

It's an 88 with 200K on it. Maybe I'll just get a head off of ebay with less miles. What's the cost with just replacing the head with a new one?

 

Pull your valve cover I can almost guarantee that it is your valve cover spark plug gaskets leaking.

 

i'd do what lsvtec suggested...replace the cheapo 4 spark plug gaskets...they are less than $4 and an easy replacement. I'd also just do a new valve cover gasket for measure too as that is also pretty cheap (you've got 200k on the car)

i'd also run the thicker oil as it is best for older engines

 

Sorry to be a little off topic but whats the thickest oil you can use safely on a high mileage honda. Oh and in reference to the original question is the oil on the top or the bottom side of the plugs and does the car smoke at all.

 

I'd go with 10w30 for now replace those plug gaskets and if it still leaks the highest I'd go is 10w40. no higher