Spar Plugs covered in oil

  1. Newbie Joined: Feb 2012 Denmark Posts: 14 Citroen Saxo VTS 1.6 16v. year 1997.
    #1
    Hello,
    I'm pretty new at this forum, but have a question about my saxo 1.6 16v. VTS i'd like to ask.

    My spark plugs (all 4 of them) are completely covered in oil both on the "inside" where the spark happend, and on the "outside" near the coil. There is also an oil leak at the front part of the engine above the heating shield, when you look at it from the top.

    The car runs perkectly, but has a bit strange idle, it feels like all the car is shaking a bit. Checked the engine mounts, seems to be fine.

    Any ideas what it can be? My best guess is the rocker cover gasket, but does it have anything to do with oiled spark plugs on VTS model? I mean the spark plugs are placed way down in the engine, while rocker gasket seems to be at the top. Thanks in advance for your help:-)
  2. Established Member Joined: Jan 2012 south essex!! Posts: 2442 posi blue vtrs race car
    #2
    not heard that before but could just be a head gasket thats leaking into the bore and would cause the shaking effect cus its not igniting properly, are where the plugs in the head covered in oil... or it is like a spray? doesnt sound terminal but id get it seem to sooner rather than later....
  3. Established Member Joined: May 2009 cleethorpes, Lincolnshire Posts: 1830 Astra 2006 (55) 1.9 cdti 150 sri 192hp 322ftlb
    #3
    get new plugs, clean the insert where the plugs sit and change your rocker gasket. if it still happens then you should inspect the head
  4. Newbie Joined: Feb 2012 Denmark Posts: 14 Citroen Saxo VTS 1.6 16v. year 1997.
    #4
    thanks for the help guys:-)
    the plugs were changed today and i cleaned the area around them a little bit. drove like 20-25 miles with the new plugs, then took them out, no oil at all on the plugs ! :-)

    but the engine is still shaking a bit and i can fill it when sitting inside the car during idle, but only when the engine is warm.

    so now I'll change the air filter and clean the air mass filter tomorrow, hope it will make some change, otherwise there is not much left but going deeper into the engine i suppose:-(
  5. Established Member Joined: Feb 2011 Scotland Posts: 1191 02 Saxo Vts
    #5
    could be piston rings or worn valve guides
  6. Infrequent Poster Joined: Aug 2009 Sunderland Posts: 101 Citroen Saxo VTR
    #6
    Filters surely wont stop that?
  7. Newbie Joined: Feb 2012 Denmark Posts: 14 Citroen Saxo VTS 1.6 16v. year 1997.
    #7
    probably not, but it might be worth giving it a try. if a car engine is getting to little air, I suppose it can result in rough idle? correct me if I am wrong here.

    how else would you explain, that it runs perkectly fine with a cold engine when it idles at 1000 - 1100 rpm, but as soon it heats up and falls down to 900 rpm the shaking problem starts.?
  8. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Dec 2006 Maidstone Posts: 8210 Golf TDI
    #8
    Valve stem seals by the sound of it if the oil is on the thread and the tip of the plug.

    Is the car burning oil?
  9. Newbie Joined: Feb 2012 Denmark Posts: 14 Citroen Saxo VTS 1.6 16v. year 1997.
    #9
    there are no strange sounds or anything, the engine runs perkectly as long as it not idles when warm.
    it makes a lot og exhaust smoke (it is -9 degrees outside) and the exhaust smoke is white, but the end of the exhaust pipe is covered in something black...
  10. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.
    #10
    Check around 1st for oil leaks before going any further mate.
  11. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Dec 2006 Maidstone Posts: 8210 Golf TDI
    #11
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by as67894 View Post
    there are no strange sounds or anything, the engine runs perkectly as long as it not idles when warm.
    it makes a lot og exhaust smoke (it is -9 degrees outside) and the exhaust smoke is white, but the end of the exhaust pipe is covered in something black...
    White smoke is normal on startup but it should go away after driving for a few miles.

    Oil in the cylinders means there is an issue somewhere and if it's not burning oil massively then my guess would be the valve stem seals.

    Running funny could be a slight missfire due to the oil on the plugs.

    I reckon you need to have the head off to have a look, personally I would look at getting the steam seals and head gasket replaced whilst the head itself is off.
  12. Infrequent Poster Joined: Oct 2010 Cornwall Posts: 236 2001 Saxo VTR
    #12
    I'd change Air and Fuel filters, clean ICV and MAP sensor then should sort your idle out.
  13. Newbie Joined: Feb 2012 Denmark Posts: 14 Citroen Saxo VTS 1.6 16v. year 1997.
    #13
    well, seems the problem has been solved more or less at least:-)
    the air filter has been replaced, and there is still no oil on the new spark plugs after 4 days and 200 km.

    it seems that the previous owner had a leak in the valve cover and sealed it before selling the car to me, but didn't changed or cleaned the spark plugs after sealing the leak.
  14. Regular Poster Joined: Sep 2011 Hertfordshire Posts: 250 2000 Saxo Woodland Green VTS, 2002 Mazda MX5
    #14
    i'd recommend doing a compression test on it then you'll find out which, if any, of the cylinders are out of tolerance VTS engine compression ratio i think is 10.6:1, although im not 100% on that you might have to do abit of google searching but im pretty damn sure VTS's run at 10.5ish:1 and VTRs are at 9.6ish:1

    As i said strongly recommend doing a compression test first before you start changing random bits