Oil and spark plugs don't mix

[Cottontail]

What would cause oil to get into the spark plug area and coat the plugs? My 1990 Accord wouldn't start tonight and we decided it wasn't getting spark. I got a wire and plug set, and when I went to pull the old ones, they were coated with oil. ALOT OF OIL. After I put the new plugs in, it fired right up.

Why would this have happened and how concerned should I be. The engine has 181, 200 miles on it.

 

[CaptTrev]

well, for the 180k miles you have on there, that engine could be burning some oil (does it smoke a bit when u start it cold or after idling awhile and then you stomp on it?)

if so you may have some oil control rings that are either sticking or just plain worn out.

temporarily--im guessing maybe try switching to another brand/weight of oil

what weight/brand are you currently running?

look to switch to perhaps a "high mileage oil"
i believe castrol makes one. also maybe look into switching into a thicker oil too

maybe someone with a little more expertise could give you a better answer though

CaptTrev

PS-usually you only hear people with 2-stroke engines complaining about oil fouled plugs!

 

[EMTJeepers]

Could be the rings, could also be the valve caps(tech term?) little rubber pieces that fit on top of the valves keepin the oil out of the cyliders.