98 ZX2 with Oil In the Spark Plugs

[depretendah]

I just bough a used 98 ZX2 last Thursday...
Yesterday I went to change the spark plugs and got a nasty surprise. The plugs were drowning in oil... there was oil up to the top of the plug recepticles. So I cleaned up what I could and replaced the plugs. She smoked a bit after that (since some oil dropped in the engine) but was okay after. Has anyone ever experienced this? And do you think it's the valve cover gasket, or something else/worse?

BTW, the car has about 93,000 Miles / 150,000 KM on it.

Thanks,

DePretendah
[email protected]

[iceplanet]

i've got the same problem, however just one spark plug was in the engine oil. the car runs good anyway. anyone could help?

[jeffcoslacker]

Most engines set up like this have o-rings around the plug holes to keep them dry. You replace them with the cover gasket. If your car has relatively low mileage, it could be an indication that it has over-heated sometime in the past, which will sometimes ruin the o-rings' ability to seal. If not, it may just be due to normal degradation, or the cover might need to be re-torqued.

[tagman11]

I've got a similar problem, except the oil was on the underside of the spark plugs- the part that's down inside the engine. Right after I changed the plugs, I drove it on the highway, and the RED oil light comes on. I added a quart and it seems to be okay now, but I'm thinking it might be the rings or some other serious problem. I did have an incident on the highway about a year ago where i was doing about 90 and the tail pipe started to blast out blue smoke. It seemed to have been ok since then, but it's gotta be related right? Just changed the oil & filter less than 3000 miles, used Castrol Syntec 5w30. My Z's a '98. Any thoughts?

[jeffcoslacker]

Originally Posted by tagman11

I've got a similar problem, except the oil was on the underside of the spark plugs- the part that's down inside the engine. Right after I changed the plugs, I drove it on the highway, and the RED oil light comes on. I added a quart and it seems to be okay now, but I'm thinking it might be the rings or some other serious problem. I did have an incident on the highway about a year ago where i was doing about 90 and the tail pipe started to blast out blue smoke. It seemed to have been ok since then, but it's gotta be related right? Just changed the oil & filter less than 3000 miles, used Castrol Syntec 5w30. My Z's a '98. Any thoughts?

That's odd. Usually when there is a sudden episode of oil burning, that seems to correct itself the PCV valve stuck open and was inhaling oil from the top end into the intake.
Can happen if the PCV system isn't working right, and oil is collecting somewhere in the intake or PCV lines where it normally isn't disturbed. Under real hard running the flow through the intake may get strong enough to pick it up.

Possible you could have a ring problem, or bad valve guides or seals, but you'd have smoke when the motor starts, and when you take off after idling. You'll see oily residue on the back of the car in the wake of the tailpipe too, usually.

[tagman11]

Don't see anything like that, the oily residue.... I have done work on the intake so that sounds like a likely candidate... Any of that easy to check, the PCV valve and lines? Or should I just take it in? I can smell it burning through first and second gear all the time (plus that kind of oil will burn a serious hole in your wallet), not when I'm idling or once I get up to speed. And BTW 51,000 miles, so a serious problem would be REALLY disappointing.

[jeffcoslacker]

I think I'd get a pro opinion. Something weird there. My wife is out with the car right now, or I'd have a look and see if anything else came to mind that might be problematic on that motor. I really haven't spent much time studying this motor yet (thankfully). I'll have to look at how the PCV system runs, and anything else that could cause what you've got.

you aren't seeing external leakage?

[tagman11]

No, my parking spot is totally clean.... My dad did make a comment couple weeks ago about there being an unusual amount of carbon building up on my tail pipe. I'll probably go ahead and take it in sometime this week or next.

[tagman11]

No, my parking spot is totally clean.... My dad did make a comment couple weeks ago about there being an unusual amount of carbon building up on my tail pipe. I'll probably go ahead and take it in sometime this week or next.

[tagman11]

Oh yea, I skipped one detail- I haven't seen my fan run all summer.... I think I read it's supposed to be on as soon as the engine reaches normal operating temp. I haven't seen it on at all, even after turning the car off. A problem like that could coneivably be causing the oil to overheat, yes?

[Muscort]

Remove and clean (or replace) the pcv valve and valve cover breather. Use a good carb cleaner for this. Do it every 30k problem solved. Let me know if this helped.

[tagman11]

Valve cover breather is that black piece with a hose attached, right (part of the intake)? And what/where is the PCV valve?

[Muscort]

yes it is a round black piece with hose attached, you should be able to blow through it fairly easily. if not clean/replace. the pcv valve is a smaller round unit connected to the crankcase vent tube (lower front of the motor) it pops out of a grommet. it should rattle freely when shaken and is a cheap available part ( just go ahead and replace it) good luck.