HELP! Oil Covered Ignition Cable Boot?

[daja]

My Forester was hesitating so I went to check the spark plugs and
cables. I was shocked to see oil covered ignition cables boots. I
mean the part that attaches to the tip of the spark plug. There was
alot of oil and it was fresh, not burnt. It was not just on one, but
all four of them?

I removed all the plugs. One seemed looser than the others and was
slightly covered with darker oil sludge (lack of better term).

All the tips of the plugs seem in good condition. Nice and brown in
colour. Indicates no oil being burnt. Correct?

This puzzles me since there is not suppose to be any oil in the
combustion chamber, so where is the fresh oil coming from?

I do use synthetic and have read that these can shrink rubber seals in
the engine. Is this a possibility? And it has been very cold here in
Toronto as of late, -20 to -30 celsius.

Exhaust is nice a clean, no oil burning. So I ruled out a cracked
engine block. I usually warm the engine up for 5 mins before driving
and take it easy for another 5-10 before pushing the engine. Still
drives like it's new after I changed the plugs (done today) and did 30
minutes of driving, 20 of which were pushing the engine.

Any idea's? Similiar exerpiences?

Thank You in Advance,
daja.

 

[Fred Flintstone]

The only way oil can get there is if the valve cover gasket leaks. Its
really odd that they ALL leaked, though. How old is the car? You might
have a problem with the PCV system. If its plugged up, then you are
building pressure inside the crankcase and on top of the head.

 

[Edward Hayes]

Definitely check the PVC valve and associated hoses as a probable cause.
eddie

 

[Fred Flintstone]

PCV