Just changed the plugs on 1992 Accord LX 2.2L. The two outer plugs looked fine, but the two center plugs were covered in engine oil. Any idea where the leak is coming from and what the fix might be?

 

Either blow by or valve seals.

Was the oil burnt on or wet?

 

Also check they sparkplug tube seals on the valvecover. If they're torn, oil can get in that way.

 

Where was the oil? On the electrode side, where it screws into the engine? Or on the ceramic part that sticks up?

 

that happened to a car i had before i think it was my piston or ring, all i did was to put a hotter plug. i would check it every month i would clean it by sanding it down.

 

What would it mean if there was wet oil on the spark plug threads, and not the ceramic?

 

If the threads appear to be wet but the electrode and the insulator are clean then you might be looking at some antiseize.

If the electrode is oily then the rings or valve stem seals could be leaking. It could also be a bad PCV problem.

A hotter plug helps, but oil in the combustion chamber promotes detetotation.

 

I think my valve stem seals are knackerd. Anyone have a rough idea on the price of 16 valve seals? (CDN $) And how hard is it? I haven't picked up a book yet, but the 16 valves on one cam looks intimidating. I have never worked on a Honda before.

Thanks for the help.

 

I paid about 45 USD for my valve stem seals. In a SOHC it's not that bad, except on the back.

You don't have to remove the head. All you need is a compact style valve spring compressor, air compressor, a fitting to go into spark plug hole, MAGNET, vise-grips, a little oil, 10mm, 12mm, and 4hrs for a first time.

I think that should do it.

 

The oil was still wet and was on the electrode side of the plug. The plugs were Bosch platinums. Couldn't have been anti-seize, b/c I never used any last time I changed the plugs. (Perhaps a bad idea, given how difficult it was to remove the plugs this time.)