Oil pooled around spark plug

porchhound · Jul 30, 2015

Just noticed this after shutdown this AM. During mowing I noticed the tractor miss occasionally. Any notions what this might be? The plug was not as tight as the others

Tall T · Jul 30, 2015

Best case scenario . . . could be a dud plug or failing plug wire.

Try another plug you know to be good and another plug wire and check the inside of the dist cap for cracks or carbon tracking.

Clean the dist cap sockets by twisting "fine" steel wool into them.
Also check and chip the buildup off of the dist cap poles inside the cap.

Dell (WA) · Jul 30, 2015

porchie.........ya gotts BAD piston rings 'cuz they're pumpin' OIL. You doubt? Do the dreaded compression test. Ford specs: 90psi min; good N-engines about 110psi; brand new rebuilt N-engines 125psi. Next time BEFORE you unscrew yer sparkie, BLOW the well clean with brake or carbie cleaner. Recommend AutoLite 437's gapped 0.025". Next time screw yer sparkie TITE, I've NEVER seen oil on OUTSIDE of sparkie like yer picture. .......Dell, yer self-appointed sparkie-meister

porchhound · Jul 30, 2015

Thanks Dell, that is what I was afraid of. It is just this one cylinder. My compression tester wont get in that tight space between fuel tank and head. do you use a special tester that fits in there easier?

Bob · Jul 30, 2015

The "oil" in the pit around the plug is most likely simply condensed combustion products that have sneaked past a loose sparkplug, or the gasket was missing or there was some debris that kept it from sealing.

No matter HOW bad the piston, ring or bore MAY be the only reason for the visible goop is that the sparkplug wasn't sealing to the head.

Before you get your knickers all in a knot about an overhaul, clean up the mess, check the gasket seating area for any issues and pop in a new sparkplug and get it back to work.

Only if it smokes, misfires, or uses a significant amount of oil do you have to worry about that cylinder.

Dell (WA) · Jul 30, 2015

porchie.......yeah, I gotta "screw-in" compression tester with a 12" rubber hoze. Gotter when I was wrenchin' fer BMW dealer back in the 60's. Sparkie socket had rubber insert and used a 6" extension and flex-head ratchet to gitt down under the OHC engine. The sparkies had 6"-cigar extensions. Not out in the open like yer N-sparkies. Me? Given the oily sparkie, I'd just putter back in and runner till it won't sparkle ennymore. Then putter NEW AutoLite 437 in and runner till it won't sparkle ennymore. (repeat) As long as you have enuff power to do yer jobs, I wouldn't worry too much.........Dell

BTW.......you might be able to "rent" a compression gauge onna hoze from NAPA or other tool rental outfit. While its nice to know yer compression, you already know the results.

porchhound · Jul 30, 2015

Only if it smokes, misfires, or uses a significant amount of oil do you have to worry about that cylinder.[/quote]

Thanks Bob. got to thinking about it and that cylinder was doing fine up until today. Wondered how it could become such a major issue in two hours of mowing.

Nick167 · Jul 30, 2015

Looks like there s a couple chips of metal on the ring around the bottom of the plug

NoNewParts · Jul 31, 2015

engine getting a little tired, and the plug was loose.
Throw that plug away....probably just the pic angle, but I don't like how the sealing ring and threads look.

When I had N's that lived outside, I used to give the recess a squirt of oil after installing. better than rust...and if it bubbles, the plug ain't tight. (dumb design for something made to live outdoors)

later blue tractors hid those recesses up under the hood better, and had an early warning system......loose plug just blows the spark plug wire off.....LOL

porchhound · Jul 31, 2015

I bought new plugs today. You are correct...that IS a dumb design. I just didn't snug that one down for some reason....old age????? Nah!!!!

Oil pooled around spark plug

porchhound

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Tall T

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Dell (WA)

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Bob

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Dell (WA)

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