Black liquid spitting out exhaust

[a-5 freak]

I started my truck up for the first time after i changed my plugs and wires and black gunk was spitting out the tail pipe. this only happend when i reved it somewhat hard. this has only happend once before but that was a while back. I also noticed that back were cylinder 4 was located that there was an awful lot of black gunk comming from the base of valve cover. (note- when i replaced the plugs, none of them were fouled.) Whats going on?
http://rangerbits.shutterfly.com/36

 

[feellnfroggy]

It appears to be oil, dude. Blowbye that wasnt burning off with the old plugs maybe?

 

[a-5 freak]

Does that mean that you think i need new rings or something? i didnt understand yor responce.

 

[Mark_88]

Blow-by can mean new rings...and usually does...but check your PCV and replace it if you haven't done so in a while...it helps the engine breath...

The stuff out the tail pipe may indicate that you have had it for a while though...

The leak around the valve cover is usually easy enough to fix...just replace the gasket...I'd recommend the blue rubber ones if you can afford/find them...they are more expensive but they give you a much better seal...one you can actually see too...

EDIT: just a note about the whole thing...have a compression test done...that might clear up some questions...and do that before anything else if possible because if you need motor work you'd only be throwing money away on the gasket...even though the blue ones can be reused they don't quite seal as nice once they've been heated...