Car Wont Start After Changing Spark Plugs

[fl4t]

wed. night i picked up 'autolite' copper spark plugs from O'reilly's,

went home and changed the cylinder 1&3 plugs,
the plugs i removed were worn but normallly
then realized i didnt have a 3/8" u-joint so reconnected the spark plug wires to go get one

when i tried to start my car up it wouldnt start.. sometimes it turns over constantly sometimes even starts to start but nothing after..

i took out the plugs i'd just put in and they smelled like gas and were covered in dark, 'oily' fluid..

i put in the original plugs and still no start, pulled those plugs and got the same dark oil fluid on them

[Florin1]

Do u have spark? Are the plug wires reversed? Pull plugs and crank it to see if it shoots out any excess gasoline.

[Jessekrs123]

Did you check to make sure you didn't cross any spark wires? I've done that a few times.

[93legacylsleeper]

Did you make sure to push the wires till you feel them fully connect to the plugs? This or crossed wires could be your issue. If the car ran before and all you did was plugs and wires i don't think itd be something more serious like the coil. As far as the "oily" stuff on the plugs if its just gas you should be ok. If they actually have oil on them they're could be something wrong... Same amount of stuff on both plugs???

[wtdash]

Hi,
Either the spark plug wires aren't on tight, swapped wires to plugs or maybe pulled off the coil end of the wire?

Don't use 'autolites' on your subie....stick w/the NGK BKR6E-11.

GL,
TD

[fl4t]

any idea if a leaking valve cover gasket could be the culprit?

[93legacylsleeper]

I doubt it. A bad valve cover gasket would just leak oil. Not cause the car to not start... I think the problem is in the wires, plugs, or coil.

[Jessekrs123]

any idea if a leaking valve cover gasket could be the culprit?

That would not cause starting problems. I would suggest you replacing the gasket for the rocker cover though. Do both sides just because, and don't forget to get new grommets for the 3 bolts into each cover. 20 minute job, should be no problem.

Check for spark, fuel, compression and timing, one of them has to be causing the problem.

[comets]

Sorry to bring this back up, but did OP manage to figure out the issues?

I am having the same issues. I am suspecting that my wires are not plugged onto the spark tightly.