[W3stSaeid]

so I opened the car up to do some regular maintenance as you would on the n54 (compression testing, walnut blasting, serpentine belt replacement and oil cooler/housing gasket) and I notice all of my sparkplug threads are oily, especially cylinder 3 which even the coilpack is oily. I did the compression test thinking maybe I have a leaking and failing valve cover gasket and the test results are as follows:
cyl1- 190psi
cyl2- 185psi
cyl3- 185psi
cyl4- 180psi
cyl5- 175psi
cyl6- 180psi

anyone has an idea what is causing this oily sparkplug issue?

thanks.

[Emilime75]

What does the valve cover gasket have to do with cylinder compression? But, yes, the oil you're mentioning is a sign of a failed VC gasket or a cracked VC.

[Saif2018]

Originally Posted by W3stSaeid

so I opened the car up to do some regular maintenance as you would on the n54 (compression testing, walnut blasting, serpentine belt replacement and oil cooler/housing gasket) and I notice all of my sparkplug threads are oily, especially cylinder 3 which even the coilpack is oily. I did the compression test thinking maybe I have a leaking and failing valve cover gasket and the test results are as follows:
cyl1- 190psi
cyl2- 185psi
cyl3- 185psi
cyl4- 180psi
cyl5- 175psi
cyl6- 180psi

anyone has an idea what is causing this oily sparkplug issue?

thanks.

Check your VCG and the valve cover itself,

No idea why you did a compression test,

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by W3stSaeid

so I opened the car up to do some regular maintenance as you would on the n54 (compression testing, walnut blasting, serpentine belt replacement and oil cooler/housing gasket) and I notice all of my sparkplug threads are oily, especially cylinder 3 which even the coilpack is oily. I did the compression test thinking maybe I have a leaking and failing valve cover gasket and the test results are as follows:
cyl1- 190psi
cyl2- 185psi
cyl3- 185psi
cyl4- 180psi
cyl5- 175psi
cyl6- 180psi

anyone has an idea what is causing this oily sparkplug issue?

thanks.

The engine is running "rich" vs "lean". So, gotta look at why or what's causing it to run "rich"

[Emilime75]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

The engine is running "rich" vs "lean". So, gotta look at why or what's causing it to run "rich"

What, from his post, makes you say that?

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by Emilime75

What, from his post, makes you say that?

If the plugs were really burnt white and dry, I'd say they mean the engine is running lean

[Emilime75]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

If the plugs were really burnt white and dry, I'd say they mean the engine is running lean

But he said nothing about what the electrodes looked like. He said he had oil on the threads and some on the bottom of the ignition coil. Nothing there to suggest the car is running rich.

[Antetokounmpo]

Originally Posted by Emilime75

But he said nothing about what the electrodes looked like. He said he had oil on the threads and some on the bottom of the ignition coil. Nothing there to suggest the car is running rich.

+1. Definitely VCG.

[W3stSaeid]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

If the plugs were really burnt white and dry, I'd say they mean the engine is running lean

I never said the plugs were "white" "burnt" or "dry". They were oily. that's all. I don't know where you got all of that from what I said.

[W3stSaeid]

Originally Posted by Saif2018

Check your VCG and the valve cover itself,

No idea why you did a compression test,

I already ordered the VCG Thanks yall for the help
The compression test was done just to do a checkup. unrelated to the issue at hand.
I did the compression test to see if there was a head gasket failure as the car has 222,000 km. I mistyped it in my first post. sorry. and for some reason I thought the two were related.

[Saif2018]

Originally Posted by W3stSaeid

I never said the plugs were "white" "burnt" or "dry". They were oily. that's all. I don't know where you got all of that from what I said.

I think he said IF the plugs were,

Hope the VCG fixes the oil issue, also a good idea to check for any cracks on the valve cover itself since your gonna do the gasket anyway.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by Emilime75

What does the valve cover gasket have to do with cylinder compression? But, yes, the oil you're mentioning is a sign of a failed VC gasket or a cracked VC.

Yes, especially because OP observed a lot of oil on coil and spark plug on cyl 3 which is by the oil filler cap and where the VC cracks often on these.

[whyzee125]

Compression is fine but it needs a valve cover.

[W3stSaeid]

Originally Posted by feuer

Yes, especially because OP observed a lot of oil on coil and spark plug on cyl 3 which is by the oil filler cap and where the VC cracks often on these.

Wait so is this a telltale sign of a cracked valve cover?... that makes me sad
is it for sure a cracked VC? guess we cant tell till I open her up

[carypearson]

Did the valve cover gasket on mine as I had oil on every sparkplug...
Had horrible knock and misfire...

Now it is all gone... (also replaced the VANOS solenoids and the crank position sensor since I was getting those errors as well)

Look for oil leaks, are they coming from the VC or from under the VC? The VC is plastic on these cars so likes to crack...

So far I am lucky and mine hasn't cracked... and I have over 170K miles.

[Saif2018]

Originally Posted by carypearson

Did the valve cover gasket on mine as I had oil on every sparkplug...
Had horrible knock and misfire...

Now it is all gone... (also replaced the VANOS solenoids and the crank position sensor since I was getting those errors as well)

Look for oil leaks, are they coming from the VC or from under the VC? The VC is plastic on these cars so likes to crack...

So far I am lucky and mine hasn't cracked... and I have over 170K miles.

At 123k miles, and mine hasn't cracked either, although I have replaced the VCG once.

It looks like the Gasket leaks more often than the Valve Cover itself cracking, but would budget for it at that kind of mileage just in case.

[whyzee125]

Originally Posted by W3stSaeid

Wait so is this a telltale sign of a cracked valve cover?... that makes me sad
is it for sure a cracked VC? guess we cant tell till I open her up

Why would that make you sad? Valve cover is cheap and your motor is in good shape. What outcome were you hoping for? It’s possible it’s just your gasket but no way to tell without taking it off. OEM valve cover with bolts and gasket is under $400.