Oil on #3 spark plug

[06MidnightBlue]

As the title says, I was changing the spark plugs last night and there was oil on the number 3 plug and a tad bit in the valley. Could this be a valve cover gasket and spark plug valley gaskets?

[spalding1028]

From what I've read, that's what it seems to be most of the time. There are 6 gaskets, one for each plug well and they seem to wear out and leak oil into the plug well. Mine had that issue on #3 and #4 I put the plugs back in and checked them a week later. They came out clean so I knew it wasn't any type of head gasket/piston ring issue.

[06MidnightBlue]

Just to give everyone an update...

I had the spark plug valley gasket replaces. As most of you know this also replaces the valve cover gasket by default. Its been about 2 months and have had no problems since.

[Trail X]

Was the oil actually causing any problems? My old car leaked some, but it was never really a worry.

[06MidnightBlue]

I was curious to this as well. It seemed that when it was leaking, the TB had a little misfire on start up. Now since I've had it fixed, I havent had the problem.

So to answer you're question...it could have been causing a slight misfire.