Oil on top portion of plugs.

1fastt2 · 06-27-2016, 05:32 PM

So I'm trying to track down the light amount of smoke from the exhaust my car has been making lately.

Here are the basics:
52k miles.
FBO
No smoke on start up, just after the engines warm and on decel. Other then that no issues, no codes, runs strong.

I pulled the plugs today. The front 3 are dry however the 3 closest to the firewall have a small amount of oil on them in the location as seen in the pics.

The 2nd photo is a shot from around the plugs. Seems very dry.

I was originally thinking it was a leaking VCG however all seems dry. I have a RB PCV valve on its way.

Thoughts?

Cory S · 06-27-2016, 06:36 PM

Are you using Torco?

1fastt2 · 06-27-2016, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cory S

Are you using Torco?

No. I am running meth though. Are you speaking of their oils or octane booster? I'm also running amsoil euro.

Cory S · 06-27-2016, 06:45 PM

The orange on the plugs is the same look when using Torco Accelerator (true octane booster)

1fastt2 · 06-27-2016, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cory S

The orange on the plugs is the same look when using Torco Accelerator (true octane booster)

Well these plugs do have a tank of 105 Sunono unleaded race fuel through them so that may be it.

Cory S · 06-27-2016, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1fastt2

Well these plugs do have a tank of 105 Sunono unleaded race fuel through them so that may be it.

A whole tank? That was expensive.

Was it 260 GT Plus?

1fastt2 · 06-27-2016, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cory S

A whole tank? That was expensive.

Was it 260 GT Plus?

Well 10gallons worth. Expensive to say the least. Yes the 260 GT Plus.

wren57 · 06-27-2016, 07:17 PM

Am I seeing correctly that the oil is only on the top threads, and not on the bottom threads? There's only one place above the plugs where oil can escape, and that's the VCG. When was the last time it and the plugs were replaced?

1fastt2 · 06-27-2016, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wren57

Am I seeing correctly that the oil is only on the top threads, and not on the bottom threads? There's only one place above the plugs where oil can escape, and that's the VCG. When was the last time it and the plugs were replaced?

Yes. The plugs were only wet towards the ceramic portion. The plugs have about 3-4K on them and the VCG is still stock. I just can't see how they got wet from a bad VCG when it looks completely dry but I hear you. There is no other oil source besides it.

wren57 · 06-27-2016, 07:27 PM

Does look dry. That's very odd. If car is running fine I'd just replace the plugs and see what happens after you replace PCV.

1fastt2 · 06-27-2016, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wren57

Does look dry. That's very odd. If car is running fine I'd just replace the plugs and see what happens after you replace PCV.

Good point. I'll give that a try.

Cory S · 06-27-2016, 07:33 PM

It's really not THAT uncommon for oil at cold start up etc to work its way up the plug threads and sit there. That's the coldest part of the plug, so it usually doesn't get burnt off much. Oil from a VCG leak can't seep below the spark plug gasket if the plug was tightened correctly.

And Sunoco 260 GT Plus, is some amazing fuel!

06-27-2016, 05:32 PM	#1
1fastt2 Private First Class 102 Rep 178 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Reading Pa iTrader: (0)	Oil on top portion of plugs. So I'm trying to track down the light amount of smoke from the exhaust my car has been making lately. Here are the basics: 52k miles. FBO No smoke on start up, just after the engines warm and on decel. Other then that no issues, no codes, runs strong. I pulled the plugs today. The front 3 are dry however the 3 closest to the firewall have a small amount of oil on them in the location as seen in the pics. The 2nd photo is a shot from around the plugs. Seems very dry. I was originally thinking it was a leaking VCG however all seems dry. I have a RB PCV valve on its way. Thoughts? Attached Images __________________ 2008 e92 335i 6MT - Fully Built Motiv Closed Deck Conversion. Everything else that goes with it. Last edited by 1fastt2; 06-27-2016 at 06:18 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

06-27-2016, 06:36 PM	#2
Cory S Major 308 Rep 1,163 Posts Drives: 2011 335i-X Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: N.H. iTrader: (0)	Are you using Torco? __________________ 2011 335i X-drive 6AT / Pure turbo / 500AWHP/526TQ
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-27-2016, 06:45 PM	#4
Cory S Major 308 Rep 1,163 Posts Drives: 2011 335i-X Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: N.H. iTrader: (0)	The orange on the plugs is the same look when using Torco Accelerator (true octane booster)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-27-2016, 07:17 PM	#8
wren57 Roll Tide 617 Rep 2,369 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St Louis iTrader: (10)	Am I seeing correctly that the oil is only on the top threads, and not on the bottom threads? There's only one place above the plugs where oil can escape, and that's the VCG. When was the last time it and the plugs were replaced?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-27-2016, 07:27 PM	#10
wren57 Roll Tide 617 Rep 2,369 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St Louis iTrader: (10)	Does look dry. That's very odd. If car is running fine I'd just replace the plugs and see what happens after you replace PCV.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-27-2016, 07:33 PM	#12
Cory S Major 308 Rep 1,163 Posts Drives: 2011 335i-X Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: N.H. iTrader: (0)	It's really not THAT uncommon for oil at cold start up etc to work its way up the plug threads and sit there. That's the coldest part of the plug, so it usually doesn't get burnt off much. Oil from a VCG leak can't seep below the spark plug gasket if the plug was tightened correctly. And Sunoco 260 GT Plus, is some amazing fuel!
	Appreciate 0 Quote