1998 Ford Contour Spark Plugs in Oil

1998 FORD CONTOUR
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TERION
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  • 1 POST
My 98 Ford Contour won't start. I had been having some problems with poor engine performance which I had assumed was just a dirty fuel system. I got some fuel system cleaner and added it to gas, but before that tank ran out the car stopped starting. I replaced the fuel filter but no luck. I recently had the plugs replaced so I checked them and they were literally buried in oil. Only about a half inch of the plug showed above the oil. What would cause this?
Mar 5, 2006 at 6:47 AM
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RYAN20021982
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i had the exact same problem and ford said the intake gasket
Mar 19, 2006 at 3:51 AM
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PEPPERMRJ
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
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I think Ryan has his terms confused.I bet he means the valve cover/cam cover gasket. I do that with my daughters names all the time. :oops:

Most double overhead cam engines have the plugs in the middle of the valve cover. The valve cover leaks and oil fills up the plug wells. This causes misfires and the plug wires to deteriorate.

Replace the gasket pay particular attention to the round sections around the plug wells. You might consider replacing the plug wires. At the very least clean them using waterless hand cleaner, Goop, GoJo, etc.

Good luck and let us know. :)

Good luck and let us know.
Mar 19, 2006 at 7:44 AM
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PEPPERMRJ
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 1,158 POSTS
Forgot to mention, if you do it yourself soak up the oil befor you remove the plugs with cotton balls.
Mar 19, 2006 at 8:04 AM
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Suggested Repair

Replace the valve cover/cam cover gasket, especially the round seals around the spark plug wells. Soak up oil from the wells before removing the plugs, and clean or replace the spark plug wires.

Conversation Summary

A 1998 Ford Contour stopped starting after poor performance; the spark plugs were found buried in oil in the plug wells. One owner reported Ford blamed the intake gasket, but the expert said the likely cause is a leaking valve cover/cam cover gasket allowing oil into the plug wells, which can cause misfires and damage plug wires. The recommended fix is to replace that gasket, paying attention to the plug-well seals, soak up the oil before plug removal, and clean or replace the plug wires.

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