Possible Valve cover gasket replacement needed?

[RyanEAS]

Hey y'all!
About 2 weeks ago leaving work, the SES light began flashing and engine was running really rough. You could physically feel the car shaking while at the red light. After a few minutes it stopped. I yok the code reader to it when I got home, and no codes. No problems with it for about a week. A few days ago, same problem arose when I went to leave work again, except this time it lasted the entire drive home. Got a solid (not flashing) SES light. Code reader said a P0300 and P0301 code. At 160k miles I decided to spring the extra money for 6 new coils.

So, fast forward to tonight when I went to install. Now, keep in mind I had replaced the plugs about 30k ago with the 41-103's. Pic #1 is the plug from #1. Number 2 plug had a decent amount of oil in it, as did #3 and 4. Note, I did NOT remove all the spark plugs, just #1 and2 spark plugs. I did replace all 6 coils though. The remaining pictures are on the exhaust-side of the engine block, where I suspect I have a bad/worn valve cover gasket. Can you guys take a look and see if you agree? Also, does that plug look like normal wear for roughly 30k on it? Thanks!!!

 

[Mounce]

Yup @ valve cover gasket and tube seals.

 

[Mooseman]

Continue with the plug and coil replacement but while waiting to do the valve cover, add a washer under the coil bolt heads to cinch that gasket down a little more to prevent or limit the oil from getting into the plug well. Just unscrew the bolt from the coil, add the washer, screw it back in.

Removing the valve cover is a little involved as you have to also remove the intake manifold.