Re: filth around plugs...

["Newman,Lawrence C." <lcn@mitre.org>]

I have an '89 200T with the same symptom on the first 3 cylinders.  I
deduced that this gunk which is similar to crude oil (saw some on
beaches in Spain), black and sticky, must be engine oil getting forced
up the threads of the plugs by compression.  Cooling causes the sticky
character.  I removed the plugs and they resisted turning most of the
way out.  The threads were coated with black oil.  The engine is down
almost a quart between changes but I don't have to add any between
changes.  Next time I change plugs, I'll torque them and see if that
makes a difference.  I suspect that the root of the problem is oil being
pumped in from the turbo.  

This is just my hypothesis.  I'd love to hear comments.

Larry Newman

gerard@dockside.co.za wrote:
> 
> Hi!
> 
> Just curious about this. Had a look in the engine bay
> a few days ago. Around the base of each plug there seems
> to be a mix of liquid and grit. What is this? Petrol (gas),
> I assume. What's causing it? Incorrectly installed plugs?
> It's around all the plugs.
> 
> I'm looking to do a "service" this weekend (oil, much needed
> new belts, plugs). I am heading back to the 25W50 dino
> oil, I went straight to synthetic over a year ago and then
> had oil pressure problems, I've moved onto a synth-dino
> blend and am now heading back to the world of stock oil
> requirements until Mobil 1 finally gets here in the proper
> viscocities.
> 
> Anyway, what is wrong with the plugs that causes the fluid
> around the seats?
> 
> G.
> 
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