Getting Oil on sparkplug,,

[cuttheduck]

So I'm finally doing basic matainenace on my TSi I've only had a few months.
I replace the sparkplugs and wires and they look like they have only been replaced once
in its 85,000 miles and look pretty bad. However, ONE plug had oil on the threads
and the part below the "fastener part". So I look in my trusty chiltons manual and
it says oil fouled spark plugs indicate an engine w/ worn piston rings and/or bad
valve seals. When i get time in the next few days I plan on doing a compression test
to see If I burnt a valve? or something. HOWEVER, in the chilton picture the plug has oil all over the firing tip and all. Mine is completely clean there. Is it possible for oil to leak down from above and go all the way past the fastener, Oil did leak from my oil cap really bad before and made a mess under the plug cover. Could this indicate only minor valve wear since the plugs are so old w/ minor oil. Any sugestions or somebody have this happened and what it meant for them.


This picture is from a crappy phone camera. Top plug is one of the "other three" while the bottom is the oil fouled one. I know the picture looks close but take my word for it, the tips look the exact same, however the threads and the little part above are noticebaly oil covered in the bottom one. Thanks

 

[AwdEi]

Unless oil is on the diode, you really dont have any real prob. It is possible for oil to leak down from above, like from the spark plug gaskets on the valve cover. If a compression test is low I would also do a leakdown test on it b/c if the valves are slightly open you will get low compression, and most people jump to the conclusion that the rings are worn.

 

[Defiant]

Do you have a slingshot? See how far you can launch those damned Bosch Platinums. Replace with NGKs, and never use platinums in a turbo car.

You probably have blown plug well seals. If it was running okay, especially on those plugs, it's most likely just fine.

 

[cuttheduck]

Do you have a slingshot? See how far you can launch those damned Bosch Platinums. Replace with NGKs, and never use platinums in a turbo car.

You probably have blown plug well seals. If it was running okay, especially on those plugs, it's most likely just fine.

Ha, yah, I put in NGK's and feels alot better at WOT, no more hesitation and miss. Those damned platinums were from the previous owner. I already have all new spark plugs, and valve cover gaskets so I'll put those on this week. thanks for the responses!!

 

[turbohappy]

I'll take that one further - don't use platinums in anything. They aren't as good as platinums and are more expensive (even when taking into account lifespan). Only useful if you're too lazy to do the simple task of changing your spark plugs occasionally.