spark plug question.

[Five1ohA4]

Changed my plugs the other day and noticed that the plug that was in the #4 cylinder ( this is the one closest to the firewall correct? ) was alot darker compared to plugs 1,2 and 3. The other plugs looked fine but the last one was a darkist brown/black in color. I know this is probably a noob question but I forget what this is a sign of. Plus I shined my light down the spark plug cylinder and the top of the piston from what I could see appears to have some soot / residue of some type on it. Btw Im using NGK BKR6E and I change them about every 5000 miles when I do my oil changes and it never looked like that before.

[FireWire]

oil leak into the plug compartment maybe? when was your last gasket change?

[Five1ohA4]

oil leak into the plug compartment maybe? when was your last gasket change?

I was kinda thinking along the same lines. I actually changed my valve cover gasket at the same time I just changed my plugs. I was getting a little oil down in the number 1 and 2 cylinders but number 4 was dry.

[A4 Moda]

Did you change your cam tensioner Gasket as well? It's a 10 dollar part is at the back of the block that should be replaced when you replace the valve cover gasket as well.

Check at the back of the block and see if it's leaking down the firewall side. If yes, chances are it's your CTgasket.

GL

[Five1ohA4]

Did you change your cam tensioner Gasket as well? It's a 10 dollar part is at the back of the block that should be replaced when you replace the valve cover gasket as well.

Check at the back of the block and see if it's leaking down the firewall side. If yes, chances are it's your CTgasket.

GL

Damn, I totally forgot about changing this out. If this CT gasket was leaking would it not cause oil to accumilate in the spark plug cylinder of the Valve cover because there was none. The plug was dry just looked burnt plus the residue on top of the piston. You know the more I think about it this probably has to be it as I can't think of what else would cause the oil looking residue on top of the piston. Don't I need some type of CT tool to make the install go easier? Any other ideas also appreciated.