Please Help Oil in Spark Plugg Chamber!!!!

[godbout.t]

This is my first post and i so far love this forum, but i do need some help...

I have a 2004 Ranger 2.3L.
when i went to change my plugs a few months ago, i noticed that they were rusted to hell. one had no gap at all lol. but other than that i found that oil was in the two of the spark plug chambers; a good amount too.

It drained and burned off but afterwards i also noticed that my truck was "spitting" out a black soot and watery mix from the exhaust, and still is. Plus i keep having to add a quart every so often between changes because it is consuming it like a fat kid and cake!!

What could be the problem???
Valve cover gasket....head gasket....running rich....please HELP!

 

[press 1 for english]

This is my first post and i so far love this forum, but i do need some help...

I have a 2004 Ranger 2.3L.
when i went to change my plugs a few months ago, i noticed that they were rusted to hell. one had no gap at all lol. but other than that i found that oil was in the two of the spark plug chambers; a good amount too.

It drained and burned off but afterwards i also noticed that my truck was "spitting" out a black soot and watery mix from the exhaust, and still is. Plus i keep having to add a quart every so often between changes because it is consuming it like a fat kid and cake!!

What could be the problem???
Valve cover gasket....head gasket....running rich....please HELP!

If you think the engine running rich could cause oil to pool in the spark plug area then do yourself a favor and take the truck to a decent shop because you don't have the basic knowledge.
Valve cover gasket or head gasket could be the only 2 problems.

 

[WNY964x4]

If you think the engine running rich could cause oil to pool in the spark plug area then do yourself a favor and take the truck to a decent shop because you don't have the basic knowledge.
Valve cover gasket or head gasket could be the only 2 problems.

actually valve seals are the answer , a valve cover gasket leak would not allow oil into the cylinders , since the spark plug is threaded into the hole like , well , a plug , and a head gasket would cause white smoke and a loss of coolant , not black smoke and a loss of oil

 

[MountainMike]

actually valve seals are the answer , a valve cover gasket leak would not allow oil into the cylinders , since the spark plug is threaded into the hole like , well , a plug , and a head gasket would cause white smoke and a loss of coolant , not black smoke and a loss of oil

If its the valve seals, a good shop can even change them while the engine is in the truck using compressed air. But I am also leaning towards rings.

 

[press 1 for english]

actually valve seals are the answer , a valve cover gasket leak would not allow oil into the cylinders , since the spark plug is threaded into the hole like , well , a plug , and a head gasket would cause white smoke and a loss of coolant , not black smoke and a loss of oil

The leak he is describing would be leaking out of the engine through a bad seal/gasket.

 

[MountainMike]

The leak he is describing would be leaking out of the engine through a bad seal/gasket.

How do you reach that conclusion? He says it is spitting out the exhaust and was missing.

 

[press 1 for english]

How do you reach that conclusion? He says it is spitting out the exhaust and was missing.

It also says that oil is pooling in 2 of the engine's 4 EXTERIOR spark plug openings.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Sounds like both the lalve cover gasket and valve guide seals. First do a compression check If all cylinders are within 5 to 10 % you can change the seals yourself put the cylinder on TDC with both valves closed and apply air pressure to the cylinder to hold the valves up 30 lbs worked for my 2.8 with the piston on TDC you dont have to worry about the valve dropping in the cylinder. Compress the spring and don`t lose the keepers or you will be scrampleing for the parts. My seals pressed right on and you can check the valves for slop at the same time once you get the seals on release the pressure and wiggle them. I use a box and mark the holes to keep the rocker assembly and pushrods in order. Then you can assemble it get the correct valve lash adjustment and a new cover seal and hopefully you will be good. Another option is to put a rebuilt head on it just make sure the compression is even first and when you pull the head to rebuild you can check for any scoring or ridge on the cylinder walls. GL

 

[kemo]

I'd suggest a leak-down test over a compression test any day. Compression test won't tell you crap compared to a leak-down test.

 

[Duane867]

Sounds like the wires are oil soaked from a bad valve cover gasket and causing her to miss fire and run like doo doo to me. Change the gasket, change the wires, and go from there.
How many miles are on this truck ?
Oil consumption and 4 bangers go hand in hand. If you're not leaking it , or burning it after 140 thou or so then your truck is doing like all other middle aged 4 cylinders and simply consuming it.

Condensation out of the exhaust isn't a bad thing. Depending on the weather conditions in your area it could very well be a completely normal occurrence.
The soot is also normal and simply being pushed out with the moisture as the water washes it off the inside of the pipe.

 

[dla]

Sounds like the wires are oil soaked from a bad valve cover gasket and causing her to miss fire and run like doo doo to me. Change the gasket, change the wires, and go from there.
How many miles are on this truck ?
Oil consumption and 4 bangers go hand in hand. If you're not leaking it , or burning it after 140 thou or so then your truck is doing like all other middle aged 4 cylinders and simply consuming it.

Condensation out of the exhaust isn't a bad thing. Depending on the weather conditions in your area it could very well be a completely normal occurrence.
The soot is also normal and simply being pushed out with the moisture as the water washes it off the inside of the pipe.

Sounds right. The plugs were shot. The engine has been missing for some time. The black exhaust could just be the crud burning off. We don't know how many miles between oil adds, so we don't know whether or not it is a problem or not. Valve guides will show as a puff of blue at startup and rings would be blue clouds under acceleration. We don't know the mileage. My guess is a good tuneup is needed.