Oil on spark plugs??

[Smooth_One]

Merry Christmas and good evening to you all.
I just went in the garage and pulled #1 and #2 spark plugs out and they are covered with oil??
They only have about 30 mins of run time since new and I've been trying to figure out why it's running like crap?
I just put on a brand new Tillotson Model X that Mac's sells because the original one is warped and did not run well. Just need some info and what to check.
I'm trying to keep from taking the engine apart because I have yet to actually drive the car in a year and a half since I've owned it.

[captndan]

Pull all the plugs and do a dry and wet compression check.

[DaWizard]

Well, from my experience, 30 min of run time is not enough to seat the rings so there will be oil passing the rings up into the cylinder. If you say run out on the street for a couple hundred miles and still have oil wet plugs, then I would say you have a problem.

Have you taken it out for a healthy spin, or just run it around the block a couple times?

In order to seat the rings on a fresh build, you do need to run it more than 30 minutes.

[Mitch//pa]

If i recall this is not a fresh build but one that sat 40 years that you brought back to life.

[C26Pinelake]

Originally Posted by DaWizard

Well, from my experience, 30 min of run time is not enough to seat the rings so there will be oil passing the rings up into the cylinder. If you say run out on the street for a couple hundred miles and still have oil wet plugs, then I would say you have a problem.

Have you taken it out for a healthy spin, or just run it around the block a couple times?

In order to seat the rings on a fresh build, you do need to run it more than 30 minutes.

Where did it say it was just rebuilt or did you just ass u me? Wayne

[Smooth_One]

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Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

If i recall this is not a fresh build but one that sat 40 years that you brought back to life.

That is correct. The car sat in Michigan for just over 30 years and wasn't touched til I got it.

[Smooth_One]

To my knowledge it's never been rebuilt. My father in law never had it apart and he owned it since the late 50's.

[C26Pinelake]

Originally Posted by Smooth_One

To my knowledge it's never been rebuilt. My father in law never had it apart and he owned it since the late 50's.

Then disregard post # 3. Wayne

[tbirdtbird]

see #2

[Smooth_One]

Originally Posted by captndan

Pull all the plugs and do a dry and wet compression check.

I'll try to do it this week. Thanks!

[robgross1930]

As has been suggested, perform a compression test at operating temperature. However, the usual culprit for oily fouled plugs is worn or damaged rings or worn or damaged cylinders. In other words, probably time for a rebuild. By your own admission the engine has never been rebuilt, so that means possibly 88 years. There are some but not too many "never rebuilt" engines that are not worn considerably.

Also, it’s not a cure and it’s not exactly good practice and could cause trouble if the plugs get too hot but another consideration you might try is installing a slightly hotter spark plug in the offending cylinders to overcome the oil fouling.

Then again, you might continue to run the engine and keep cleaning the plugs. The problem may clear up a little.

Question:
When the engine is running, do you notice any smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe? Do you notice any smoke puffing out from the oil filler pipe?

[1crosscut]

Did you pull plugs 3 and 4? If so what do they look like?
Do you know if you are getting spark to 1 and 2?
If you have spark on all 4 check for an intake manifold leak. With the car running spray some starting fluid around the manifold gaskets to see if the engine changes speed.

[Mike V. Florida]

As it has bee said, new engine the rings need to seat by driving the car or at least running it at different speeds or the usual culprit is worn or damaged rings or worn or damaged cylinders.

That about covers it.

[DaWizard]

Ya know, if you are getting fire on all 4, you could put some MMO in each cylinder and run it for a bit to maybe loosen up those rings.

I have been known to put a tablespoon or so of MMO in each and let soak a few days to get those rings awake.

[Tom Wesenberg]

I would do a compression check first, then a leak down test to see if you have worn or stuck rings. If you have stuck rings, I'd pour some Sea Foam down the cylinder and let it soak for a day or two. Another can of Sea Foam in the oil and one in the gas, then run the engine through sever heat and cool cycles might help, but don't be surprised if you need to remove the pistons to free up some stuck rings.

Of course, if the pistons are out, you'd likely just install new rings.

[mike657894]

Are you 100% sure that the substance is oil and not burnt black coolant? The head gaskets that were available 40 years ago(if not copper) are of a quality lower than currently available. I dont mean to tell you that you are wrong but my car was in a similar situation sat for 30-40 years. My car would run good then after 30 minutes run worse then another ten minutes start to backfire and shut down. The #4 plug would become black and wet then #3. You may just need a good copper clad head gasket. If you do a head gasket. Get a new set of head studs and avoid broken stud headaches.

[robgross1930]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

I would do a compression check first, then a leak down test to see if you have worn or stuck rings. If you have stuck rings, I'd pour some Sea Foam down the cylinder and let it soak for a day or two. Another can of Sea Foam in the oil and one in the gas, then run the engine through sever heat and cool cycles might help, but don't be surprised if you need to remove the pistons to free up some stuck rings.

Of course, if the pistons are out, you'd likely just install new rings.

How could one tell a stuck ring from a worn one with a compression check or leak down test?

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by robgross1930

How could one tell a stuck ring from a worn one with a compression check or leak down test?

I don't think you can know which it is, that's why it might be worth trying the Sea Foam to see if it would unstick the rings. If not then it doesn't matter if they are still stuck or worn, as they need to be removed.

Usually the rings stick when an engine sets for any length of time, unless it was pickled by putting oil into each cylinder when it was parked.

[mike657894]

How much of a smoke cloud would a car produce before fouling out on oil alone? I have a pretty smokey four stroke single cylinder motorcycle that seems to run fast and fine. well unless you are behind me. Here is a video I found of a car smoking but running along fine. And my motorcycle is not even close to this bad. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTT53rCGjW4

[C26Pinelake]

Originally Posted by DaWizard

Ya know, if you are getting fire on all 4, you could put some MMO in each cylinder and run it for a bit to maybe loosen up those rings.

I have been known to put a tablespoon or so of MMO in each and let soak a few days to get those rings awake.

What does " get those rings awake " mean ? Is this machinist talk ?.