Not possible, but it *looks* like what used to happen to a plug that's too cold of a range running old "leaded" gasoline.

+1 with the compression test on that cylinder. I'd bet it's low.....

Bob

 

Ran the engine a bit and removed the plug again: oil on tip and threads. Spark is OK but looks slightly yellow.

Blah. I guess I'll just get rid of this thing.

 

your giving up already on the durango?

 

I'm not going to give up until someone hands me money to buy it, I'll keep trying to get it running until then, but if it's not the head/valve I don't have the money to get the engine overhauled, nor do I have the patience or the tools to do it myself. Short of pouring instant headgasket in there and hoping it coats the cylinder walls I'm not sure what can fix that. I'll get the compression test done though, I'll either rent a tool or I'll take it somewhere that'll do a free diagnosis, or over to Advance where they just hand you a scan tool and let you go to town in the parking lot.

Plenum gasket appears good, there's not a river of oil when I look down through the throttle body.

 

How much do you want for it?

 

I KBB'ed it and in "Good" condition they say $2400 so with the problems it has I listed it on CL for $1700, as a "OMG I can't believe someone actually bought it for that" price. I KNOW I won't get that, I really just want $1100 or so out of it, just enough to get a car for my wife to drive but I don't know. I'm not married to it or anything so I'll take what I can get.

 

Replace the cap and rotor, wire, and place it outside the motor on ground and turn it over and check for spark. If good install and run, then pull and check it again. If it is oil foul then I would do a leak down test, as well as a dry and wet compression test. If it is only a valve guide then fix.

By the way, Kelly Blue Book is a rip off tool used buy dealers. The correct one that the banks use is NADA Blue book.

 

Checking NADA I see that in "Rough" trade-in condition they say $1250, so I don't think my figure of $1100 is off-base.

I appreciate everyone's help, thanks very much for replying. I'm going to take it to get it diagnosed tomorrow at a dealer possibly if they offer free diagnosis. I do any work myself if possible.

 

thats trade in... look at private party sell... i got 5300 for my durango in good condition. thats the offer insurance made me when they totalled it

 

I didn't see a "Private Party" option on NADA. KBB was much higher in value compared to NADA.

In any case, I'll sell it to any interested party, just shoot an offer. Thanks for all your help.