oil on bottom of plugs

[RedZMonte]

So i am guessing i know what im going to hear. But i pulled the plugs and there is oil on the bottom side of the plugs (inside the engine). So i thinking its valve seals leaking by into the chambers... Or Blown rings... Any think else it could be? I know a compression test will determine rings. how would i determine if its the valve seals? It does let a good puff of smoke in the mornings when its cold and been sitting for a while and i start it. But other wise its pretty clean. so i kinds don't suspect bad rings. The car has sat fer about a total of 3-4yrs w/o running. Im thinking my valve seals dried and now leak.

The car runs and idles fine normally. if it where rings and bad compression wouldnt that give me idle problems?

S

[pocket-rocket]

Normally the puff on start up signals valve seals. If your compression is low, add a either a teaspoon, or tablespoon (forgot which, but personally I would do tablespoon to make sure enough is in there) of oil in the cylinder and retest. If it goes up, your rings are leaking (and the oil helped seal them). If it stays the same, but is still reading low by book specs, its something else.

[DEI37]

Actually, that oil deal will bring compression up regardless. Granted, more so with a worn set of rings, but it will still bring it up. A compression test in general would tell us as much, and what those numbers are will be a pretty good judge.

[RedZMonte]

Actually, that oil deal will bring compression up regardless. Granted, more so with a worn set of rings, but it will still bring it up. A compression test in general would tell us as much, and what those numbers are will be a pretty good judge.

What should the compression readings on a DOHC be?

S

[gpse3400]

about 170-190 cranking psi I believe