oil on spark plug / ticking under valve cover

[fox-gt]

The driver side 2nd spark plug fouls about ever 3 to 4 weeks. The plug has oil on the threads and the top is covered in a black flim. The car starts running like complete crap cause the plug is no longer firing. I replace the plug and I am good as new for a few weeks, then same story. A few searches on here mentioned valve cover gasket could cause oil on the plug. I also have a ticking sound coming from / around the driver side valve cover. The ticking is not an exhaust manifold leak.

Tell me this is not as bad as I am thinking it is. Engine has 140,000 miles on it.

Thanks.

 

[bill302]

what does the electrode look like and can you post pictures.

 

[fox-gt]

what does the electrode look like and can you post pictures.

There was more oil down at the bottom of the threads, I wipped it off when I first took it out.

 

[bill302]

how many miles are on that plug its been in for 3 weeks? it looks like its oil fouled you have a bad angle picture you should take pic from top looking into insulator but your next step should be a compression test click on link below to perform compression test properly to diagnosis rings or head problems you can buy a compression tester at wal-mart for under $20

http://www.pumaracing.co.uk/comp.htm

 

[ExplodingGopher]

the ticking could be a lifter on its way out.