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Thread: #3 plug dripping with oil

  1. #1
    Suspension Modder
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    Default #3 plug dripping with oil

    Replaced the plugs in my son's 91 NA last night and found #3 was dripping oil. Time for rings? does the engine have to be pulled? What would be the best route to fix this?
    Avoid Miata Technologies

  2. #2

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    Ya sure it isn't just the valve cover gasket leaking oil into the plug well?

    Pretty common on a Miata.

    Good stuff here - http://www.miata.net/garage/valvecover/index.html

  3. #3

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    Quote Originally Posted by POS Racing View Post
    Ya sure it isn't just the valve cover gasket leaking oil into the plug well?

    Pretty common on a Miata.

    Good stuff here - http://www.miata.net/garage/valvecover/index.html
    Thats was my first inclination.
    Blah blah blah!

  4. #4
    Chassis Designer
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    Default

    A compression check should indicate valve/piston ring problems. The earlier posts regarding oil leaks is sound advice.

  5. #5
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    Default

    Yeah, that is a good site. I used it to replace the valve cover gasket before I posted my question to the forum.

    Quote Originally Posted by POS Racing View Post
    Ya sure it isn't just the valve cover gasket leaking oil into the plug well?

    Pretty common on a Miata.

    Good stuff here - http://www.miata.net/garage/valvecover/index.html
    Avoid Miata Technologies

  6. #6

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    Quote Originally Posted by Snide697 View Post
    Yeah, that is a good site. I used it to replace the valve cover gasket before I posted my question to the forum.
    So was it just residual oil from the leak it already had that you fixed?? Since the spark plug well is lower than the valve cover.



    Where was the oil on the plug was it just on the part that would be in the combustion chamber?

    Does the car burn oil excessively and run like crap??

    I agree on the compression check!

  7. #7
    Suspension Modder
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    Default

    Oil on the electrode and sludge on top of the piston
    car runs okay I guess, have never driven another Miata so I have nothing to compare it to
    burns 1 qt a month

    Quote Originally Posted by POS Racing View Post
    So was it just residual oil from the leak it already had that you fixed?? Since the spark plug well is lower than the valve cover.



    Where was the oil on the plug was it just on the part that would be in the combustion chamber?

    Does the car burn oil excessively and run like crap??

    I agree on the compression check!
    Avoid Miata Technologies

  8. #8

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    Sounds like time for an Italian tune-up and a Seafoam treatment, then change the oil, clean the plugs and see if the situation re-appears. Perhaps not the most elegant approach but TCB.

  9. #9
    Engine Builder imsuchanoob's Avatar
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    Default

    valve guide seals are USUALLY themain cause of oil doused plugs....but thats text book stuff...could be something different with your car.

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