Oil on my spark plug

[phoenixxx17]

Hello everyone, I’m located in the States and know you guys across the pond have way more information and experience since not that many NC30 are here . Have NC30 (runs fine) that little oil was burn under throttle, concerned I called Jim Granger (RC30 Expert) says because my bike hasn’t been ridden on the road in four years that everything he feels is “glazed” last night I was getting the bike ready to ride it on the road and when I replaced the spark plugs one had oil on it (like a drop) dark but not dirty, rest seem to be ok, any advice what that could be? Bike only has 22,000 klm 13,000 miles on it, always changed the oil while the bike was being used or not .

Any help or information would be grateful
Gary

[hunter]

Oil on plug usualy means,worn cylinder or rings,Or valve guide oil seal.
I would get some milage on it, give it a thrashing to burn it off then check plugs again.

[phoenixxx17]

so you think it might just be a seal that has hardden up? and run it to loosen everything? could I damage the engine by running it?

[hunter]

It may smoke a bit,But i can't see you having any other issues.

[VFRkieran]

Could be your rocker cover gasket pinched slightly letting a bit of oil weep down, is it on the actual electrode of the spark plug or further up?

[Neosophist]

it oculd have come from anywhere, clean the plugs up or replace them if you have new ones and go for a nice gentle ride be sure to pay attention for any sudden leaks of collant etc (not common but best to be safe than sorry) then do a plug chop and see.

many times the plugs get oil on the ceramic part as there deep in the head and some oil vapor gets depositied.

[phoenixxx17]

The oil is internally only , nothing on the ceramic part, the oil was found on the shank (below the treads) what does plug chop mean?


I really appreciate all you tour guys input!

[phoenixxx17]

More detail if its helpful , bike hasn’t been ridden on the road in 6 years (bike has been fired up every 6 months but not driven in the last 6 years) last night I was getting the bike ready to ride it on the road and when I replaced the spark plugs one had oil on it (like a drop) dark but not dirty, rest seem to be ok, . Im the original owner on the bike, always changed the oil every 1,000 miles and it only has 22,000 klm 13,000 miles on it, I have changed the oil at least 7 , 8 times the last 20 years, maybe the problem is I always used synthetic, any advice what it could be? Or what problems you think I might be faced with? , always changed the oil while the bike was being used or not .

[Neosophist]

i dont think you have a problem, unless the plugs are getting constainly oiled up and stop working or the bike is burning a lot of oil. its normal to see a bit of oil on plug threads especialyl and old bike thats been standing

a plug chop is to run the bike and kill the engine then take the plugs out to inspect how it was running.

you can just ride the bike around for a while until its nice and warm and then take the plugs out and see how they look.

you dont need to kill the engine at any specific revs for this situation.

[Morespeedvicar]

Were exactly is the oil, if its on the threaded part and below the sealing washer, then its normal, if the electrodes are wet with oil then there maybe a problem. But personally I'd give it some use and see what happens, it may just be a sticky ring with it been sat but that may free off with use.
The worse that would happen really is that it'll foul the plug up an not fire on that cylinder but theres three others that'll prob get you home.
Cheers
Ian