The complete automotive resource for buyers, sellers, and owners like you.
Car, Truck and SUV Forums at Roadfly
+ Bentley Forums
+ BMW Forums
+ Cadillac Forums
+ Chevrolet Forums
+ Ferrari Forums
+ Jaguar Forums
+ Lamborghini Forums
+ Lotus Forums
+ Mercedes-Benz Forums
+ Maserati Forums
+ MINI Forums
+ Porsche Forums
+ General Discussion
+ Marketplace Forums
Re: Oil soaked spark plugs (archive)
[ Follow Ups ] [ 3-series (E30) Message Board ] [ Msg. Board FAQ ]
Posted by Bill94583 on June 17, 2001 at 16:19:12:

In Reply to: Oil soaked spark plugs posted by John325e on June 17, 2001 at 15:34:45:


My 1987 325e has been running really bad: very poor acceleration, excessive vibration, slightly smoky exhaust, etc. It has brand new platinum plugs and high quality wires. Today I pulled the plugs to see what I might find, and it was not good. Plugs 1,2,3 and 6 looked good, but #5 came out drenched in oil and #4 has traces of oil. What are the best and worst case scenarios?

Oil can enter the combustion chamber from 2 places- (1) valves/valve guides or (2) piston rings.
My opinion: Best case; valves not adjusted properly...or valve guides worn.
Worst case: piston rings are primary cause allowing oil get into chamber; could be simply rings worn....worst: cyl walls way out of round and need new rings and re-bored piston chamber(s)...and valve job.
Hopefully maybe all you need is to pull head and get valve work done.
Believe you can get good shop to do "leakdown" test to determine more precisely WHAT has worn.
Best of luck....


Follow Ups:


[ Follow Ups ] [ 3-series (E30) Message Board ] [ Msg. Board FAQ ]
Questions, comments, or problems, please visit the Roadfly help desk.
Roadfly.com Logo © 1997 - 2009 Jump Internet Inc. All rights reserved.