oily glow plugs?

I've just been out and changed my plugs and the two rear plugs were covered in oil. It has been standing about a week with out starting. What has caused this? No smoke when running or driving. No sign of distress other than oil on plugs? Where is it coming from and how badly is it going to throw its toys out the pram? Cheers guys & gals

Oh and it's a 94 300tdi auto

stem-seals??

Rich.

leaky injectors

Lyndon said:

I've just been out and changed my plugs and the two rear plugs were covered in oil. It has been standing about a week with out starting. What has caused this? No smoke when running or driving. No sign of distress other than oil on plugs? Where is it coming from and how badly is it going to throw its toys out the pram? Cheers guys & gals

Oh and it's a 94 300tdi auto

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Proper engine type oil or diesel ? How does it run generally ?

Check if you get blue smoke on:-
a ) only on start up then clears
b ) when booting it eg. up a hill
c ) on over run eg. off the power coming down a hill
d ) all of the above

If you take the oil filler cap off does the engine breath through it, (is there a pressure trying to push the cap off) ?
Is there lots of oil in the top inter cooler hose ?

Worst case is a cracked oil ring, but lots to check first ...

Dippypud said:

Proper engine type oil or diesel ? How does it run generally ?

Check if you get blue smoke on:-
a ) only on start up then clears
b ) when booting it eg. up a hill
c ) on over run eg. off the power coming down a hill
d ) all of the above

If you take the oil filler cap off does the engine breath through it, (is there a pressure trying to push the cap off) ?
Is there lots of oil in the top inter cooler hose ?

Worst case is a cracked oil ring, but lots to check first ...

Click to expand...

Its engine oil as its dark. It runs fine, just passed the Mot 2 weeks ago with flying colours. No smoke on start up or running. I will get someone to check on over run and hard acceleration/load.

I can see the cyclone breather thing has been replaced recently. I will check the inter cooler and rocker cover pressure tomorrow.

Think you will find the oily looking GPs are the ones which are not working

biolandy said:

Think you will find the oily looking GPs are the ones which are not working

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You are correct.
Replace with Bosch or beru, don't waste your time with the cheapy ones.

biolandy said:

Think you will find the oily looking GPs are the ones which are not working

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+1. This was the case with my 300tdi too.