Dolemike

Its been awhile since I pulled my plugs out, maybe the past month or so. When I changed them due to a misfire issue I noticed a considerable amount of what appeared to be either oil or gas and carbon buildup on the plugs which caused them to prematurely foul. I suspected this to be caused by what I later found to be a large crack/ slit on the intake tube right in front of the throttle body and figured maybe heat and dirt caused the massive buildup. Anyways, I called one local Honda specialist place recommended by a fellow s2ki'er and he mentioned that MAYBE if it was oil that it could be bad spark plug rings but obviously wouldnt know for sure until he took a look. I was just merely wondering if we have spark plug rings and if so could it be one of causes of oil (if that was what it was) getting on the plugs? Hope this isnt a stupid question.

xviper

Are you saying that the oil and buildup is on the tip (that's inside the cylinder)?
Every spark plug has a crush ring and if they are intact and torqued down to the correct amount, oil can only get to the tip from inside the cylinder. A cracked intake tube would let too much air in and you would see a deterioration in idle and running characteristics of the engine. Oil is going to get into the cylinder anyway from your PCV valve system. Excessive amounts are going to get in via bad rings and bad valve seals.
I thought you have mods to your engine - yes? no? If it's yes, then buildup of carbon or oil may be due to those mods.

Dolemike

The engine is stock, only mods I have to it so far is a drop in filter and test pipe. I replaced my PCV valve late last summer and I must say that it was probably long overdue. The oil on the tip of the plugs was pretty damn black too, so it had been there for awhile I would assume? I hope this isnt a critical problem. Bad rings and valve seals are costly to replace arent they?