Excuse me if this is posted here elsewhere-- if it is I cannot find it!

checking/replacing plugs and first plug (left side) had some oil on it. cleaned out tube and wiped off plug, replaced, ran engine for a few minutes and no oil. will check again in morning before replacing plugs. Any ideas what this might be?

thanks

 

O ring in valve cover, I would say.

 

#5 in this diagram is causing your problem. I need to do mine as I have 2 that are not sealing properly. Yesterday I changed my plugs and found oil on 2 plugs. If you stick a piece of paper towel or something in between the valve cover and plug tube top where the gap is, you will most likely find a pool of oil as I did.
http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...87&hg=11&fg=15

 

thanks guys for the comments and suggestions. Will check the o-rings and will let you know.