HELP: Oil in Spark Plug Well on 1996 Explorer

[z71bam]

I have oil (dried, crusty, burnt) in the rear passenger cylinder spark plug well which is causing severe hesitation and shaking from the engine of my 1996 Ford Explorer 4.0 OHV V6. I believe the engine is also burning oil because it appears about one quart low, and this vehicle has never leaked oil before. The check engine light code says the cylinder is misfiring.

If I take the valve cover off, what should I look for to determine the problem?

What do the Explorer Geniuses suggest as a solution to fix this problem?

THANKS IN ADVANCE!

 

[jremington59]

Get someone to do a compression test on it. What does the plug look like?

 

[z71bam]

Get someone to do a compression test on it. What does the plug look like?

Similar to this here, but mine had burnt oil as well as wet oil...

The plug has dried burnt oil on and around the body of the plug. I pulled it once and cleaned it, but the hesitation got worse after replacing it. It's a brand new plug too... so I know it's something inside the engine.

After pulling it, oil was noticeable in the plug well... so I am not sure which part is leaking... gasket leak or seal leak or something.

 

[jremington59]

The oil could be coming through the rings. You need a compression test and let us know the readings.

 

[kihei777]

z71bam,

did you ever resolve this issue? let me know. I think i might have the same issue. thanks.