Oil sludge on engine seam?!?!

What is this?????

Old Figgy (the Jeep) has had this for years but it seems like it’s gotten worse recently.

 

Hello Becca! Welcome from Oklahoma.
That looks like the valve cover gasket is leaking.
Super easy fix and it's a good opportunity to scrub down the valve cover and throw some cool paint on it.
Let us know if you have any other questions and hope you stick around.

 

Thank you so much! Glad it’s not a super bad thing

The weather in Montana is looking nice today for a change so I’m heading to the auto parts store before work

Would this possibly cause me to throw misfire codes and foul out plugs?

 

If the oil is dripping down into the plugs/injectors I suppose it might cause a bit of an issue.
When was the last time the spark plugs, wires, and distributor cap was replaced?
If it's been awhile it probably wouldn't hurt to do those as well.

 

Welcome @Brownraf5 as mentioned that's typical valve cover seepage. Looks messy and usually not problematic until the seepage worsens. Fouled plugs or codes are indicative of other problems probably unrelated to seepage.

 

Cool! I just did the plugs, wires, dist cap, and rotor. But especially cylinder 1 fouls the plug up within a few hundred miles :/

I was a terrible person and ran it with no gas cap for about a year.

Got some seafoam to put in the engine today, hopefully that helps.
I think I should replace the fuel filter but i don’t think I can drop the tank at home w/ out a lift.

 

Becca, could you pull the #1 spark plug and take a picture of it for us? It sounds like you may have another issue.

If the fuel tank is low on fuel you can use a floor jack and a short 2x4 (to distribute the pressure from the jack across the tank, not just in one spot) to lower it down. Keeping it steady on the jack and getting it back up will require a helping hand.

 

hey brownraf5 Seeing the firefighter symbol in post, a first responder, I want to add t - you deserve the few extra moments of time.
1)At the auto part store ask for a FREE scan to check codes - yes even if CEL light is off. Post any and all codes.
2) can of seafoam a fuel detergent - see below
3) get a good gasket - cheap is cheap for a reason - do this once.

You did use correct spark plug RC12ECC a solid core by champion?
the cheapos MAY be problematic let us know.

#2 note - seafoam is for the FUEL tank - if internal sludge is an issue use 'risolone' I worry about DIYer use of seafoam in an engine oil system...a little aggressive.

 

Codes: 11, 12, 43, 43
I got cheap copper plugs cause I knew I wouldn’t have time to figure out why they were fouling. No use in fouling up expensive plugs. I will get good ones once I figure out what is going on.
I got the seafoam to put in the gas tank.

Like I said this was a new plug less than 500 miles ago

 

Interesting, 11 is a cam/crankshaft position issue. Any problems with it dying or not starting?
12 is battery disconnected within the last 30 cycles, no biggie.
and as you mention 43 is the misfire.
You should have also received a code 55 which means no more codes to display.

To be honest and I am no spark plug whisperer but that plug looks fine to me. Might check the gap (0.035") , but I have run engines on far worse plugs.
Champion Coppers work well in the Jeep inline engines so no need for anything more expensive than that.

Perhaps you have a clogged injector and hopefully the seafoam will help.

 

Correct you want the champion copper core, NOT platinum, gold plated, E3 multi electrode.

OK the codes you posted - I was hopiing you would get the OBDII codes --P0305 type that a scanner would spit out - they are more specific and more of them. Part stores scan for FREE - easy cheap fast.
While we are working this - engine reaching temp? Correct Thermostat?
location might help Alaska or Arizona could help us zero in. ie vapor lock in Alaska or eng to cold in Arizona.

Code 11 is the one that catches my eye.
the OBDII might be more specific than 43.

 

I just saw your in Montana - lucky,
ok hunting fishing stories later.

 

Welcome from Texas

 

hey there guys sorry i disappeared!
It turns out i had faulty spark plug wires that were not connecting to the distributor cap correctly, and the distributor cap was loose.

i got my new valve cover gasket. while removing the valve cover this hose snapped.
Anybody know what it is and how i get another one at the auto parts store?

 

Looks like a MS brake booster vacuum line. Auto parts stores should have replacement vacuum hose