What would cause oil above and on the spark plugs,

I had my car towd to a last week...

thx,
J

p.s. how do i get it out...

 

I don't know the proper way to remove that oil, but I can tell you that it's because the one of the valve cover seals has gone bad. Easily replaceable, but I don't know what to clean out the spark plug holes with.

 

soak up as much as you can with paper towels, etc with the spark plug STILL installed, the rest spray off with enging cleaner once the valve cover is off. Yes, I said "off" because you're going to replace the seals anyways. Then I guess the last thing left to do is replace the spark plug, wich probably is doused with oil and engine cleaner by now