Burnt Plugs, Oil in Cylinders?

[Maxxdsix]

Alright so I got the rsx (base auto :( ) in september, it had 56k on it. The first thing I did was checked the spark plugs and filters and everything, I changed the filter, but the plugs looked fine.

Now I have been getting around 17mpg...so I decided I needed to check the plugs and coils again.

I check them and didn't like what I saw...Cyl 1 and 3 look like oil/raw fuel has been getting dumped into them. Cyl 2 and 4 look brand spankin new.

The coils from 1 and 3 were brownish from the oil, but that is all i could visibly see that was wrong. All the plugs are burnt around the treads and look like they are getting carbon deposits. I'm not sure if their the OEM plugs or not, but I dont see why they wouldnt be. At 60k the plugs should still be stock because I've read that their supposed to be good for 100k.


Also there is a gap around the cyl sleve and the plug, with the seal further down, I'm not sure if it is or isnt supposed to be like that I'm a Honda newbie.

If anyone has any ideas on what to do please let me know. I'm stumped. :dontknow:

Getting new plugs tomorrow though.


On to the pics:

Plugs:
http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu258/maxxda6/K20%20Plugs/IMG_0010.jpg


Coils:
Good
http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu258/maxxda6/K20%20Plugs/IMG_0009.jpg
Bad
http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu258/maxxda6/K20%20Plugs/IMG_0008.jpg
http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu258/maxxda6/K20%20Plugs/IMG_0007.jpg

In order. 1-2-3-4 1 and 3 are the problematic ones, 2 and 4 are good.
http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu258/maxxda6/K20%20Plugs/IMG_0006.jpg

Cylinder: Should that gap be there like that? And these are the ones that have oil inside of them.


http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu258/maxxda6/K20%20Plugs/IMG_0005.jpg
http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu258/maxxda6/K20%20Plugs/IMG_0003.jpg
http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu258/maxxda6/K20%20Plugs/IMG_0002.jpg
http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu258/maxxda6/K20%20Plugs/IMG_0001.jpg

[OutToWinPAHC]

Valvecover gasket, and spark plug tube seals.... Normal maintenance for a DOHC car, you way also want to do a catch can.

[itwillboost]

Agree its properly just the spark plug gaskets, it's a common thing especially once you hit a certain mileage.

[i_ride_fieroGT]

It could be as easy as somthing like a vale guide seal to as hard as piston rings. seein as you have low miles i would think its a valve guide seal or somthing along thoes lines.

[Maxxdsix]

Yea my one of my friends who is a honda tech says that its prob a valve cover gasket too, just talked to him. So hopefully thats it..

[92sileighty]

i spy a corvette

[Vr-4-Life]

That doesnt look like oil on the plug wells, but if it you're sure that it is then change the valve cover gromets and well gaskets... GET OEM ones that have the metal ring inside of them... Do not get Autozone ones or ebay or anything like that becuase they dont seal as well... these are like 8 bucks each at the dealer...

To me it looks like rust in the wells... Perhaps your coil was not in all of the way... the DC current in the wells makes rust happen faster in there...

If it were the seals you would have a black puddle of oil around the plugs before you pulled them out...

[jpalamar]

GET OEM ones that have the metal ring inside of them... Do not get Autozone ones or ebay or anything like that becuase they dont seal as well... these are like 8 bucks each at the dealer...

I used an autozone gasket kit when I did my head gasket service on my DSM. Kit held up just fine. OEM on your Honda only got 69k, I wouldn't use OEM again if they fail that often.

[Vr-4-Life]

I went through three brands of non OEM well seals on my old d15b... none of them stopped the leak and I constantly had oil in my wells... the gromets around teh bolts held find though.

[OutToWinPAHC]

Unless there are known issues with a seal or gasket, or it's use demand is very far from stock stick to OEM seals and gaskets.

[Maxxdsix]

Well I did all the VC and spark plug gaskets the other day, and replaced all the spark plugs too.

Thanks for the advice on that one.

But when I pulled the VC off I saw this...
http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu258/maxxda6/K20%20Plugs/57998_482946559173_519869173_5677747_2958624_n.jpg

What would cause something like that to happen...?

[jpalamar]

Can't see the pic since I'm at work, but I would do the PCV as well since they are only a few bucks.

[OutToWinPAHC]

thats just the bare casting of the cam shaft, As long as its balanced, the lobes and journals are okay

[Maxxdsix]

So I checked in on everything just now for a post-op check up lol.

Plugs are already starting to get dry carbon fowling on the tips with 218 miles on them. The threads of the plugs are already starting to turn black towards the top(closest to the tip)

Their the right heat range, wtf could be going on???

[OutToWinPAHC]

They ignite an explosion hundreds of times per minute and get engulfed with flame..... Some carbon will be normal, as long as it doesn't over build. Is it running okay? Check it in a week or two it will probably be the same.