Hi guys,

So, as per my other post my friends TF had leads covered in oil. Bought some leads today + plugs to change them over. Took out the ones in there and the plugs were covered in oil and there was oil on the pistons etc.

All 3 front cylinders had oil in them. Oil is clean (not frothy). I assume this means it is the piston rings that are leaking?

How long can it go on for like this? And is there a cheap/easy fix, even if somewhat temporary?

sounds like leaky tube seals

Yes I replaced the o-rings on them.
But when removing the spark plugs they were full of oil (I mean even the thread part + where the spark actually ignites) and the pistons had oil on the top of them too

When you removed the plugs, the oil that was sitting in the spark plug tubes has drained straight into the combustion chamber.

Just crank the engine with the plugs out and it should all spray out. Just put some rags over the engine to stop it from spraying everywhere.

Don't bother messing around and risking your ignition system. Just put plugs in it and start it up. Will burn away quickly. I get this all the time on poorly maintained customers cars

I put the plugs back and the car started and ran fine.
I am just wondering if this means there is an issue there, ie, valve stem seals, pistons rings, etc?

The car has 361,000km.
The plugs were covered in oil, even the thread had oil on and the igniting bit as well

There was probably just oil filled up in the plug hole that seeped through when you loosened the plugs

Is there any way I can check?
ie, if I take the plugs out after a run and the piston tops are dry, but after a while oil drips on them then I assume it would be valve stem seals?

best advice is to listen to mal ( madmagna) he knows what he is talking about dude

I didn't quite understand what he said though, what should I do to fix this?

What he is saying is there is likely nothing wrong.

You've removed the plugs while the tubes were full of oil, its dripped into the chamber. Starting the car and letting the oil burn off solves this. You know its all burnt off when it stops blowing blue smoke

Valve stem seals are easy to check, let it idle for 5 minutes and give it a bit of a rev - If you blow a shitload of blue smoke they are likely ****ed.

If the rings are gone (haven't seen it on 6G7X engines yet) it will ALWAYS be blowing blue smoke apparently.

Yep, stick with Mal's advice.
Replace the tube seals (you'll have to remove the rocker cover), put it all back together, then run the car & the oil you saw will burn away. Then, after a few days drivig around, check the tube seals, ignition leads, spark plugs, exhaust smoke/colour (even check the top of the pistons again if you're really keen) and I think you'll find there will be no more oil pooling.

Fix it, then check it - process of illimination.

It is impossible for the tops of the pistons to be covered in oil and the engine to still run

Several have told you what the issue is, the oil has run down the plug tubes, in your other tread you stated yourself there was a lot of oil down there. When you pulled the spark plugs out there is only 1 place for the oil to go, that is down, is called Gravity.

If you have started the car and is not blowing tonnes of smoke then your problem is solved and there is no need to keep on testing and looking.

Ok I will have a look again if there are deposits of oil on top of the pistons once I remove the spark plug.
I was just reading that if the valve stem seals are gone that when the engine is off they can drip oil on the piston, hence why I was thinking it would be them.

Thanks for all the help guys, and I will post back my findings