Re: filth around plugs...

[Todd Joseph <todd@ConnActivity.ConnActivity.com>]

With help from the list, that the black gritty substance was gasoline
(petrol) in my '89 200TQ.  I attributed the cause to:

(1) too rich mixture
(2) faulty  ISV
(3) leaking intake boot
(4) toasted O2 sensor

Could leaking injectors cause this as well? 

Todd
----------
>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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