Need some help fellas....my car is a 99' Mustang 3.8L

Plain and simple my car runs like ****. Im not a mechanic by any means but im pretty sure I have a bad valve seal (cylinder closest to driver). Car runs like **** cause every 2 weeks I have to replace a spark plug that happens to be covered in oil. Resulting in noticeably decreased power/acceleration, smoke during startup as well as minor engine hiccups at idol and hearing rocker arms chatter. Even with full oil I can hear them chatter time to time, going up hills etc. maybe poor oil flow? Did I mention I have to constently put oil in my car cause it gets burned off in all this? Ya. Besides that she is my daily driver, and yes I take the highway. Certainly not pushing it performance wise in anyway.

Whats my problem guys? Am I right? Options/advice on fixing this?

THANKS

 

How many miles on this Mustang? Anyway it sounds like bad rings especially on the cylinder spark plug that is fouling up. My first suggestion would be to run a compression check and write them down so we can go from there. MY GUESS is that cylinder is going to read low. If it does squirt a few drops of engine oil into the cylinder turn it with the starter to spread out the oil inside the cylinder, and check that reading again. If the compression goes up, it is the rings. I am not a mechanic either, but I have been working on my cars for about 50 yrs now. Good luck!

 

actually it may be as simple as your valve covers. the 99 and early 00 have valve covers with a faulty design that allows the engine to suck oil out of the valve train through the PCV and suck it into the back cylinders causing foul plugs, bad MPG, and engines not running right

 

I agree with neo, there is a TSB on this issue. If you do a search, you will find it fairly easy. GL

 

WOW funny you say that!....Cause I was just gonna tell you guys that just today I had to change out that fouling spark plug. Oil all over it, the usual. However! I had some extra time so I went ahead and pulled ALL the plugs out for inspection.....AND GUESS WHAT....the two spark plugs closest to the firewall were TOAST, both had heavy oil baked on them. All the other plugs showed 0 oil on them and looked to have normal use/wear. What a coincidence BOTH plugs closest to driver/passenger were oil covered. Bad MPG on gas....definitely! I think you might of just solved my problem NEO. Faulty valve covers....Im amazed, ive never heard of this problem before! SO...is this no question my problem!? THANKS!

 

Found a great website on this 99-00 valve cover issue >>>>>> http://www.miracerros.com/mustang/pcv_filter.htm

Great find there, after reading that I am 99.9% sure all my problems are FAULTY VALVE COVERS. Makes complete sense, both plugs closest to fire wall continue to be soaked with oil. I change the plug closest to the driver nearly every other week, whereas I change the other plug (closest to passenger) maybe once every 3 months....WHY because the PCV valve/faulty baffle is on the driver side cover, makes perfect sense to me, but I like a second opinion......?

Read at the bottom you can buy a in-line fuel filter and some parts for the job at your auto store for under 20$....NICE!