I just had a friend change the spark plugs and wires on my 97 F150 4.6 truck.
The plugs on the passenger side of the engine were dripping with oil when he pulled them out. All 4 were dripping oil. The drivers side were a light brown and dry.
It was the first tune up, 124,000 miles.
Can anyone tell me why the plugs would be covered in oil? Or even if it is a problem?
I may try to get rid of it while it is running good if it is something major.
It was skipping a little before the tune up but seems to be fine now.
Thanks
E.L. Flanders

 

Haven't done plugs on the OHC V8 Fords yet but the usual problem is the valve/cam cover gasket leaks oil into the plug well. When you pull the plug out the oil runs all over the tip. There was probably some oil on the plug cap possibly. If possible inspect the plug wells and make a determination if you need to put in new cam cover gaskets. This is very common on OHC engines and usually has to be done about every 60k to 80k from the ones I've worked on, and I've done a few.

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- 2001 F150 Harley Davidson Special
- 1993 Mazda Miata, wifes car
- 1994 Harley Davidson Heritage
- 1976 Honda CB750K, Original
- 1965 Honda 305 Dream, Original
- 1971 Triumph Trophy 650, Original
- 1971 Norton Commando
- 1970 Honda Trail 90, Original
- Yamaha 500 Short Tracker, racing #69
- 1984 Yamaha Virago 1000, wifes bike
- 1981 Honda Passport 70, wifes bike

 

Just a WAG, but maybe someone missed badly filling the oil? Seems to be on the side where the offending plugs were - were the wells all cleaned out before changing the plugs?

 

Thanks for the help. I looked and think the cover gaskets are leaking and I may have spilled on on the last oil change. I did not realize how deep the plugs were in there. There is a lot of room for oil to build up around the plug. What a relief.
The truck has been great. That is the first tune up, at 124,000 miles.
Thanks
ELFlanders