I just recently had a problem with this motor and it was burning extremely rich due to a misfire. I know because the gas gauge was going down rapidly and I fixed the problem with new wires, distrubtor cap, rotor, and spark plugs. Now I noticed that the old spark plugs had oil on them and then when I put the new ones in the engine started right up the smoke went away and the gas was being sipped on. Now I noticed oil leaking out of the valve cover gasket and I'm assuming that if I change the valve cover gasket this could solve the problem. (It did on my beamer) I was also told it could be the rings and that I would need a rebuild. I don't have much money and this is my only car now so I have to do all the work myself. So could it just be the valve cover gasket and if not how do I tell what it is? Oh and is it a good or bad idea to soak the plugs in gasoline to clean them?1979 Datsun 280zx oil problem?
if the oil is just on the plug threads then it,s the valve pan gasket leaking. if your saying the oil is on the firing tips then it,s probably oil rings or valve seals. try changing the oil and put a can of ( restore) in the oil. that stuff fills in tiny scratches in the cylinder walls and helps with oil consumption. i used it before and it helps to pick up the power too. i,am just trying to save you some money here.1979 Datsun 280zx oil problem?
You will be fine to just replace the valve cover gasket, Datsuns were hard on them for some reason. You cannot clean a spark plug with gas, you need a special sand blaster tool; it's kind of silly to do tho, just put in new ones.1979 Datsun 280zx oil problem?
Do a compression check before you do any work on the engine, it will tell you a lot.
