Antifreeze in SparkPlug tube Cyl #2

Greetings to all here.
I have just bought a `97 Isuzu Rodeo 3.2L SOHC 4X4 wAuto trans. I am happy with the thing but for some of the maint. that needs to be done, such as the valve cover gaskets and plug tube seals which I already have, and the driveshaft support bearing needs to be replaced soon among some other small things.
I work at Auto Zone in addition to 20+ yrs maintaining vehicles of different types, but this one has got me stumped.


The one problem that I have is that I get a code 302 (mis-fire # 2 (DRV FRONT SIDE of motor)) that is being caused by fluid in the tube - not the coil since I switched #2 & 4 and the problem did not follow the coil. The first time it was mostly oil and some antifreeze and cleaned it out, but the second time after a week it is mostly antifreeze. It is not much, just enough to cover the nut of the plug, and when cleaned out it it runs fine. It does not overheat or white puffy smoke out the tailpipe as if it was burning antifreeze, and the level of antifreeze remains constant and there has been no need to add any. I talked to someone that told mee that there was some kind if seal on the head that sealed the water jacket but I could find no mention of it in my repair manual. I am about ready to try some Bar's Leak to see if that would help. I have yet to do the valve covers and the Injectors, as well as cleaning the bejesus out of the upper intake and throttlebody and EGR ports due to weather and work constraints, so I am asking for any pointers and less obvious things to look for when I do start this project.
I would appreciate any comments and pointers posted my way. Thanks
BTW Great Site!!!

AZoner,
there are two ways that isuzu addressed the oil getting into the sparkplug tubes and shorting out the plugs -- special ignition wire sets that have ribs/fins to seal out the oil from reaching the plug and shorting out; and 2, replacing the sparkplug tube seals which are at the engine side of the tubes accessible when you take off the valve cover...

but...your main problem is the coolant, and that is probably a cracked head, imo. remove the plug and see if you have coolant on the plug tip.


//bc

TrooperBC,
When I changed the plugs orginaly, they all looked to be normal burn including #2. When I cleaned out the tube the second time after changing the plugs, the plug looked like it was burning clean with no antifreeze on the tip except what got on it when I pulled the plug out. I figured it may be a small crack in the jacket, since there is no antifreeze in the oil that I can see. I will know more once I start the valve cover gasket, tube seal; etc... job hopefully next week. I have heard of the tube seal problem over and over from customers that I help at work, just trying to get a handle on the why for the antifreeze being there.

Sounds like it could be the head; but I got to say, this is the 1st '97 3.2L I've heard of having coolant in the spark-plug.

How many miles? I wonder if it ever got hot and overheated the headgasket.

Sounds like it could be the head; but I got to say, this is the 1st '97 3.2L I've heard of having coolant in the spark-plug.

How many miles? I wonder if it ever got hot and overheated the headgasket.
:popcorn::killbarne
It's got 92500 org miles. Just got it about a month ago, and have been bit by bit going it over to get it back to snuff.
Did it over heat? Dunno, It looks like it has a very clean and possible new radiator and hoses but I got it from a used dealer in Rockford, IL, that I trust (mostly). I believe he got it at an auction.

Just curious if it ever had gotten hot; the 95-97yrs are very rare to have headgasket issues, this is only the 2nd one I've heard of in 10yrs of owning mine.

It's a shame it's having that issue too, at such low mileage.