Help, Plug Soaked w/Oil

**clcsocal** · 07-22-2008 11:20 PM

Went to change my plugs as they have about 5k on them, and one plug was soaked with oil. The actual electrode was clean, but the prongs and threads were nearly dripping. The torque seemed fine when I loosed the plug. I just had the VAG codes checked two days ago, and there were no codes on that cylinder. I had an intermittent misfire on #4, but this plug was in #2. Causes???

By the way, the gap was still the same as new, and they showed little wear, so it seems the every 5k change on the triple prong Bosch Super is too soon. Is there something I'm missing?

**CO AVANT** · 07-22-2008 11:32 PM

Prolly not missing anthing, just running rich. need to log with vag-com to see. intermittent misfires can happen. just check to see if they reoccur. Log in a WOT 3rd gear pull (channels 003, 002, 020, 031)

**prey** · 07-23-2008 12:33 AM

btw how does running rich soak the thread plugs in oil, maybe its ur valve cover gasket going out, check the walls where u put in ur igntion oils, maybe oil is creeping in from there through a leaky valve cover gasket.

good luck.

**mtbrider** · 07-23-2008 08:51 AM

I'd check the valve cover gasket as well

**CO AVANT** · 07-23-2008 09:09 AM

Sorry posted late last night, thought you typed soaked with fuel not soaked with oil, my bad. Yes valve cover gasket is a definite possibility. Take a flash light and shine down that spark plug hole to see what the top of the piston looks like. Hopefully the oil in the cylinder is not blowing by messed up piston rings and getting to the piston top and spark plug. I highly doubt that is the case though...

**wolfdog** · 07-23-2008 10:04 AM

Why change a 3-prong every 5k miles? It has three prongs specifically to last much longer. The 5k mileage change is for those single prong copper plugs.

**clcsocal** · 07-23-2008 11:14 AM

I had read here that it was needed, but definitly too soon. In this case it was good, so that I caught the leak. How long should the 3-prong last?

**04QuattroTurbo** · 07-23-2008 11:30 AM

sidebar:Which 3 prong do we use for our engines?

Back on topic: Did you do a compression test?

**CO AVANT** · 07-23-2008 12:59 PM

Yeah good call. Compression tests are very easy to do. Sears sells craftsman kits for less than $50. You do though need to pull out 4 engine management fuses on your fuse panel before conducting the test though.

I don't think it's necessarily the 3 prong vs one prong design of the spark plug....more like that the center electrode used is copper.

**04QuattroTurbo** · 07-23-2008 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by CO AVANT

Yeah good call. Compression tests are very easy to do. Sears sells craftsman kits for less than $50. You do though need to pull out 4 engine management fuses on your fuse panel before conducting the test though.

I don't think it's necessarily the 3 prong vs one prong design of the spark plug....more like that the center electrode used is copper.

Further sidebar, anyone try the E-code spark plugs? Suppose to deliver a better spark?

On topic: Compression tests will give you a hint to the internal working, rings, etc. Like you said it's cheap, probably free if you take it to a shop that thinks they will be working on your car. LOL

**CO AVANT** · 07-23-2008 01:17 PM

E-code spark plugs? You mean the FR5DTC's they use mostly? They are a good plug. I tested them against many others a few weeks ago under the same conditions... they came out on top.

http://www.audigeeks.com/forums/index.php?topic=3036.0

**04QuattroTurbo** · 07-23-2008 01:36 PM

No, these:

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

I meant to say, E3, not eCodes...had a brain fart...LOL

**CO AVANT** · 07-23-2008 01:43 PM

Never even seen those before. Look like a splitfire plug with more prongs. I'm interested to see how they perform but will wait to see how these work for people. I am the type that is scared about a center electrode node breaking off and damaging my engine, thus the reason why I've always stuck with brands like Bosch and NGK over brands like autolite and Champion...

**04QuattroTurbo** · 07-23-2008 01:47 PM

Originally Posted by CO AVANT

Never even seen those before. Look like a splitfire plug with more prongs. I'm interested to see how they perform but will wait to see how these work for people. I am the type that is scared about a center electrode node breaking off and damaging my engine, thus the reason why I've always stuck with brands like Bosch and NGK over brands like autolite and Champion...

Same here, I'm a skeptic as well. But my friend said that Motorweek featured this and was raving about it. I saw that Pulsar one as well...but having learned my lessons with Splitfire back in the 90's...LOL