Is this oil on my spark plugs? (pictures) Shiny/brown on insulators...

[Gremo87]

Been having issues with my new car - 94 GSX, details in profile - engine rebuilt by original owner less than 3000 miles ago, but I just pulled these sparks plugs that have less than 50 miles on them - maybe less than 30 - and here's what I found. 2 images for the 3 oily (?) plugs - one with flash and one without.

Cylinder 1:

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Cylinder 2:

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Cylinder 3:

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Cylinder 4:

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If this is oil....then it's likely rings, valve stem seals, or HG right? Next up will be a leakdown test I suppose....

I've never seen any smoke coming from the exhaust - not on startup, accel, decel, etc - never.....and the exhaust has never smelled like oil the few times I've put my nose to it. Could be only happening under heavy load I guess, but......thoughts?

 

[luv2rallye]

Looks more like insulator glazing: http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/engine/plugs.html

 

[Gremo87]

Hmmmmmmmm, well, I guess that would make more sense, as my compression numbers are good...

But then this raises another question - why would cylinder #2 be the only one unaffected, which also was the case with my last set of plugs. (seen below)

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Cylinder 2 had and has a much cleaner appearance...does that indicate anything?

I've read what causes insulator glazing, and have read suggestions to use a colder plug. Thing is, I just went from BPR6ES (picture above) to BPR7ES (pictures at beginning of thread). 6's are hotter so I would think they'd have shown glazing as well....not sure what direction to go in here.

Though I just read that it can be an A/F mixture issue too - and my car definitely needs tuned.

Hmmm....