Hi.....
Yes, if there was oil in the valley where the spark plugs are located, the valve cover gasket was leaking. NO, you will not get oil all over when you take cover off. When I bought this 98 Merc Mystique Zetec 2.0 that I am still restoring, the sparkplugs were immersed in about 3-4 inches of oil. I would suggest replacing the gasket, when engine is cool. Be careful of wiring and connection to oil pressure switch on left side of head near cam pullys (if you have the VCT version). Clean all oil residue from valley and plug wires (even inside connectors if oil was deep). Insure no residue is left from old gasket. Use the new spacers provided with gasket..Works really nice.. Cost was $28 at O'Reillys Auto Parts. FelPro brand
Good Luck..Duane Koss / Blue Springs, MO
