• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Engine Oil from thermactor plug?

  • Thread starter Thread starter MGB302
  • Start date Start date Oct 12, 2022
M

MGB302

New Member
Oct 12, 2022
2
0
1
TX
Oct 12, 2022
#1
  • Oct 12, 2022
  • #1
Does this make any sense to you guys... I have oil (at least looks and feels like oil) leaking out of thermactor plug on the front of the left (driver) side head. I assumed I had a bad exhaust valve seal but I just checked and none of the plugs have any signs of oil getting in a cylinder. Where else would oil come from to leak out of the thermactor plug? Heads are AFR 165's.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,179
17,884
224
Massachusetts
Oct 12, 2022
#2
  • Oct 12, 2022
  • #2
Are the thermactor ports even fully drilled in AFR165's?

I'd probably pull the plug to inspect. Its probably not oil as I doubt oil would make it out the exhaust in a liquid state, let alone travel down the thermactor port. Is it the remnants of incorrect thread sealer? I would remove the plug, apply fresh thread sealant and reinstall.
 
M

MGB302

New Member
Oct 12, 2022
2
0
1
TX
Oct 12, 2022
#3
  • Oct 12, 2022
  • #3
Thanks. I took the plug out. It was wet and oily but could be unburnt fuel mixing with the exhaust carbons. Interestingly, the motor seems like it's running very rich (at idle anyway), but I have an Edelbrock Pro Flo 4 system on it and the ECU says the O2 sensor is seeing 13.9 which, while slightly rich, doesn't seem like it should be burning my eyes.

That's a different problem to sort out but for now, what is recommended for sealant on the plugs? I used anti-sieze since it's a steel plug going into the aluminum head. If that's not good, please advise what should be used. When I put the heads on originally, I used regular thread sealant like you'd use where a bolt goes into a water jacket.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
'04 3.8L V6 mineral deposits and oil on #3 cylinder. Does it need a rebuild or something simpler?
  • joeybuddy96
  • Mar 18, 2026
  • SN95 V6 Mustang Tech
Replies
5
Views
205
SN95 V6 Mustang Tech Jun 9, 2026
joeybuddy96
J
Who the hell puts the wrong spark plugs in a 3.8L?
  • snowstang
  • Mar 25, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
12
Views
381
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Apr 3, 2026
LILCBRA
P
Engine Mysterious coolant leak at back of engine
  • palerider94
  • Jan 18, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
1
Views
169
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jan 19, 2026
AeroCoupe
J
Engine Coolant leak from oil filter
  • jr273
  • Mar 26, 2026
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
9
Views
206
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Mar 31, 2026
squeak93
Fox Help
  • 93fox85
  • Mar 22, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
5
Views
182
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Mar 23, 2026
Noobz347
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?