Hi,

Today I managed to spill some oil over the engine whilst it was running...no problem there, but this did highlight the fact that the spark plugs weren't sealing properly and bubbles were forming in the spilt oil round the collar of the plugs.
The car is a 1990 Audi 100 and it is fitted with the recommended Champion N7YCC plugs, but on closer inspection they protrude almost 1/4 inch from the block even though they are fully tightened, and there is no sealing washer fitted.
I have managed to remove and refit the plugs to get a good seal, but I'm wondering what problems the poor fit may have been causing. In particular, could it help explain the fairly strong smell of fuel I have been getting in the car after heavy acceleration ?
Sorry this is a bit long-winded, but your help would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Don.

Buy the Bosch plugs as recommended and throw the Champion plugs as far as you can.
You may have carbon build up on the lower threads due to the old plugs not being properly installed.
Maybe you could get a mechanic to run a thread tap through the plug holes.

I could smell fuel on hard acceleration. Looked under the hood, and could see one of the sparkplugs 'dancing'!

Not 1/4" out, but still loose...

also work in my 91 100, but i seem to get better perfomance with the Bosch W7DTC. NGK are cheaper, though.

Thanks for your replies. Looks like the Bosch plugs get your votes, so I'll be giving them a try.

Don.