Wet Spark Plug Threads?

[TumblrDucks]

I was doing my annual spark plug change and notice one of my four plugs had oil on threads, a first time for me. It is the plug closest to driver seat. Engine runs normal with no obvious oil consumption and coolant is clear. Coils are all dry. What could cause it & what does it imply regarding my engine?
This set of plug has mileage of 15k / one year on my car.

 

[Lubener]

That's such a small amount of oil on threads I wouldn't be concerned with it. It is likely a very small amount of oil getting past rings or valve seals. The tip of the plug looks great. What is concerning is your facination with changing plugs so often. Those plugs could easily go and are designed to go another four or five years at your rate of driving.

 

[Oro_O]

Torque it properly. Look at the tip. Just fine.

Remember the rule:

 

[Bailes1992]

Were the spark plug holes clean before you removed the plugs?

I've had similar in the past where some oil had been leaking past the rocker cover gasket and into the well where the spark plugs sit. As I removed the plugs this oil then coated the threads.

 

[incognito_2u]

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I was doing my annual spark plug change and notice one of my four plugs had oil on threads, a first time for me. It is the plug closest to driver seat. Engine runs normal with no obvious oil consumption and coolant is clear. Coils are all dry. What could cause it & what does it imply regarding my engine?
This set of plug has mileage of 15k / one year on my car.

Is there a reason that the plugs are changed annually?

 

[TumblrDucks]

Is there a reason that the plugs are changed annually?

For fun; Checking how well is the engine combustion; Practicing each step so I don't forget how to do it; Prepare for a long road trip.

 

[kschachn]

For fun; Checking how well is the engine combustion; Practicing each step so I don't forget how to do it; Prepare for a long road trip.

So you change them out or just check them?

 

[Dave9]

For fun; Checking how well is the engine combustion; Practicing each step so I don't forget how to do it; Prepare for a long road trip.

At a certain point in a vehicle's age, messing with things that don't need it, can be more of a detriment than benefit, risking breaking wires/connectors/rubber/plastic/etc. In the rust belt, add fasteners and hard brake/fuel/etc lines to the list.

 

[TumblrDucks]

So you change them out or just check them?

Change them out. If I put them back then I need to buy new crush washers. New denso plug is $6 each on RA so not too costly. If it is $20 each I probably won't touch it for 60k mi.

 

[dogememe]

15k on a spark plug that's meant to be changed every 100k? Interesting. I'd be worried about wearing out the threads in my cylinder head or something!

 

[KrisZ]

An annual spark plug change?

I’m sure it will all pay back dividends when the aluminum threads in the head start to gull.

 

[paulo57509]

When I did the spark plug tube seals on the Lexus, I had to R&R the seals twice.

You know the rule of thumb with lip seals - the lip faces the liquid you're trying to exclude? Do it this way and you can't get the seals over the tubes. They go in backwards contrary to the rule of thumb.

 

[someonesomewhere]

Change them out. If I put them back then I need to buy new crush washers. New denso plug is $6 each on RA so not too costly. If it is $20 each I probably won't touch it for 60k mi.

You don't need new washers. Have been checking plugs for decades with no issues. Just tighten them properly and you're fine. Cars aren't like lawn mowers, they don't need a new plug every year. Nothing wrong with it though, it's your $.