Ford Mustang: Oil level

On Fri, 22 Aug 2003 20:37:20 GMT, "Captaincrash"
<rr.com> wrote:
 

Bill,

I think he was asking because normally, oil shouldn't be coming out
of the holes for the spark plugs, since the plugs fill up the hole.

Was he maybe running the engine with those plugs out for some
reason, and noticed oil coming out? Or was he maybe telling you that
the #4 and #5 plugs were fouled with oil?

Don't be afraid to call him up, and ask for an explanation.
Remember, he's not a god--he's a guy who works on cars, and there was
a time that he knew even less about cars than you know now.

take care,
Scott

In article <4av1b.71074$tampabay.rr.com>, Captaincrash wrote: 

The spark plugs should keep anything from inside the cylinder from coming
out. If oil, combustion gases, anything is coming out through the spark
plug holes I would say something is wrong with the threads or seriously wrong
with the engine to the point that the clyinders are pressurizing well
beyond what they should. (and has since damaged the threads)

The oil may be leaking out of the valve cover gasket on to the plugs and
that general area. That is very common and a simple thing to fix on most
cars. Just remove the valve cover and replace the gasket on reassembly.

When rings wear there is blow-by the combustion gases 'blow-by' the rings
and into the crankcase. The gases are then sucked into the intake via the
PCV system.

And I also forgot the oil fouling is because the rings don't wipe the oil
from the clyinder walls so it gets burned with the fuel and fouls the
plugs as well.

Also if the plug isn't firing it will appear to be oil fouled. Another area
to look at is the valve guides if they are worn then oil will leak past them
into the cylinder. PS, heads are easier to fix than rings.


"Brent P" <com> wrote in message
news:Qoy1b.228934$o%.. 

Thank you for the comments guys. Well it could very well be the threads are
bad since I have recently changed the valve cover gasket. Nope no leaks
there! WOHOOO.
Well the sad thing is I am positive that oil is blowing past the threads of
the plugs, since I can see the shiny coating of oil running down from the
plug holes. Plus when I changed the plugs my socket is covered in oil, as if
it is pooling around the plug. This being said it looks as if I will be
planning my rebuild sooner than later and having the threads redone? Anyone
know a REPUTABLE shop in the Tampa Bay area? I seem to be having terrible
luck with mechanics here in Florida. I miss my mechanic in WA state. Maybe I
will move him down here LOL
Thanks again guys!
Bill
"Ironrod" <nospam.att.net> wrote in message
news:MtC1b.110055$ops.worldnet.att.net... 
area 
them 
oil 

As long as the oil level is above the add mark but below the full mark,
you're doing OK. Was the piston ring diagnosis arrived at through proper
testing or was it a SWAG? Valve stem seals can be a fairly common problem on
a lot of old motors - the can get very brittle with aged and break easily.


--
Jim Warman
net

"Captaincrash" <rr.com> wrote in message
news:SEu1b.70932$tampabay.rr.com... 

Hi Jim,
Thank you for the input. I am not sure what SWAG is but when I was told the
rings were bad it was a quick diagnosis, between me telling him what is was
doing and him taking a brief look at the block. He said "Nice car and the
rings are bad, but rebuild the whole thing top and bottom as one will affect
the other and you will be rebuilding the part you didn't before" Like I said
I have had no luck with mechanics here in Tampa Bay, so I am very open to
suggestions. Thank you again.
Bill
"Jim Warman" <net> wrote in message
news:j_K1b.33007$.. 
on 
easily. 

SWAG - silly, wild-ass guess. If the rings are not sealing good enough to
keep the plugs from oiling, we'd usually see some other indicators.... in
the case of a car with a PCV system, the air filter will usually oil up as
well. If the car is equipped with a road draft tube, we'd expect to see a
cloud of smoke coming from either breather or tube and even oil dripping
from the bottom of the tube.

A cylinder leakdown test would help pinpoint the trouble..... expect to pay
between two and three hours for one properly conducted..... However, it
would be cheaper to simply have the valve stem seals inspected. If your
inline 6 is like most I've seen, the valve cover is likely drooling a bit,
anyway and a fresh gasket probably wouldn't hurt. The stem seals can be
viewed between the coils of the valve spring - they should look kinda like a
little umbrella. If you poke them with a small screw driver of piece of
wire, they should be flexible. Look for any telltale "shrapnel" laying in
the valve area... little pieces of crispy rubber. Bear in mind that many
older motors didn't use stem seals on the exhaust valves.... adding them is
a good thing but likely wont cure fouling plugs.

Everything, including replacing valve stem seals is well within the scope of
a DIYer with "medium" talent and "high" patience. (Incidentally, I firmly
believe that impatient people usually hurt themselves more often than not in
a DIY situation).


--
Jim Warman
net

"Captaincrash" <rr.com> wrote in message
news:xoR1b.80394$tampabay.rr.com... 
the 
was 
affect 
said 
problem 
on