spark plugs covered in oil once removed

[stephend330]

I have a Citroen xsara picasso with the 1.6 16v tu5jp4 engine. I have just replaced the spark plugs and noticed when removing the old ones that the top of the pistons look covered in oil. i say the piston as the spark plug bottoms were dripping oil once taken out of the well.

Was looking for some advice as to where the oil may have come from and what to check.

I have checked the value covers and the seals look fine there so I'm thinking it possible the piston rings.

The engine generally runs fine with no miss-fires, but i have noticed higher fuel consumption as of the last few weeks.

[boreas7]

If you aren't burning oil, i.e. having to top up a lot, then wet plugs are a sign of too strong a fuel mixture, somewhat confirmed by your increased fuel consumption.

If it is oil and not unburnt fuel, then as you say its almost certainly piston rings but again oil consumption would point to this.

I think fuel mixture strength is your first check.

[stephend330]

Thanks for the information, I am coming round to the idea there's something off with the fuel mix. Will have a further look into that