evol etg-zj2

iTrader: (13)

I was in the process of tuning my car yesterday with Mr. Turco and during the first pull session, after boost leak test (passed with flying colors), the car was having spark blowout during hard pulls. So, we replaced the plugs with something to get by for the time being and see if they would foul out, too. Bought some crappy Autolite iridiums (not a terrible plug, just not the ones we wanted) and they have worse blowout, so don't EVER use them lol. Back to the point, while we were replacing the plugs cylinder 3 was very wet with oil (dripping off threads of spark plug). Now, the car runs well with no smoke and pulls hard at 17psi. The coolant looks crappy and brownish, possibly has some oil in it, so I'm thinking that the HG is starting to fail near clyinder 3. Are there any other ways oil could get into the cylinder? I've read HG, rings, valve seals. Has anyone run into this problem where just one cylinder is oily? Is there testing I should do to prove or disprove any of these possibilities? What should my compression be at? I'm new to the evo game and have only driven this car about 900 miles since prurchase (always had the MBC turned all the way down for engine safety). I feel like I bought a lemon...I've spent the past month replacing things (turbo, misc bolts, spark plugs, intercooler and piping, gaskets) cause I couldn't get it to run correctly and pass inspection.

Ev0ikon

iTrader: (18)

No matter what we could throw (the guesses) at you the proof is in the pudding. Pull the head and see what the combustion chamber looks like.

evol etg-zj2

iTrader: (13)

^^I was fearing that...being new to this game, I'm not comfortable pulling the head myself and I assume that's a costly job from a shop.

Ev0ikon

iTrader: (18)

Taking it apart is not so bad, it's putting it back together part that is more critical!

gkania

iTrader: (6)

That was probably fuel and now its gone. Use NGK plugs only

evol etg-zj2

iTrader: (13)

It's definetely oil. There was oil under the rubber boot that seats the plug wires, too (on all wires). I wish it was fuel cause that's not a big problem, oil is. I think I'll start by removing the valve cover to see if it's leaking there. then I'll continue to move downward until a problem is noticed. :/

4RETECH

iTrader: (86)

Just make sure you check the entire cylinder with a bore scope if anything.

You might have just had a bad valve cover gasket o ring at the spark plug seal. especially when you say it had blow out issues and it doesn't smoke.
Oil might have filled the spark plug galley(area where the wire goes to the plug)

Good Luck.

ddubdb3

iTrader: (4)

that gives it away right there..if theres oil on your spark plug boots then your leak is from the valve cover. 350zs have the same problem. i cant remember if the spark plug holes have replaceable gaskets if not i would use some silicone instead of having to buy a new cover.

evol etg-zj2

iTrader: (13)

My only problem with that theory is that the top of the plug was dry, no oil residue at all. It was only the lower portion of the plug. I'm going to check the clyinder with a bore scope ASAP. I'll do a compression check tonight to see if it's still holding pressure.

MechTech

There probably wasn't enough oil in there to wet the top of the plug, besides the top is in the boot from the plug wire. If the plug itself has no oil residue on it i would replace the valve cover seal, o-rings and all. Then go from there. To me it sounds like the gasket. I've seen hondas, toyotas, fords actually have puddles of oil down in there from leaky valve cover gaskets.

evol etg-zj2

iTrader: (13)

I sure hope it's just that. I'll get myself prepped with the valve cover gasket, o-rings, seals, NGK plugs gapped to 0.22 and I'll go from there.

MechTech

Yeah go from there, report back.