pulled out coil and oil is all over it and down into plug area. i pulled the spark plug and the tip was dry what does this mean? head gasket?

im taking them out to swith the coils since my car is showing a problem with cyclinder 3.

oh i meant valve cover gasket

yep, you need to replace the old grey gaskets with the newer redesigned black valve cover gaskets.

i see. so is that whats causing my problem? car is really sputtering.
and if so how much does that cost and is it a PIA? is it worth it to have it done at the shop?

http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/tech/Lincoln-LS/Valve_Cover_Seal_Inspection/Valve-Cover-Seal.htm

There's the tech article

that is definitely causing misfires.

I paid about $100 for all the gaskets to do it myself. About 4-6 hours of work and tight areas to get into. Im sure its a few hundred for a shop to do it. Use the vendors on the side of the webpage for parts, they give us awesome discounts for being on this website.

I had the same problem with my v6.. I replaced the valve cover gaskets and the plugs, while they were in there I had the PCV valve replaced too.. total cost at the dealer was $750.. I also had the intake gaskets replace aswell so the price was up a bit more.. kinda expensive but well worth it the car runs like a champ now..
replace those gaskets

Don't let that oil get down into your cylinders. Rip a paper towel in half down the middle, roll it up tightly around a 3/8" extension bar, pull the bar out and then stick the paper towel into the hole around the spark plug.

that is definitely causing misfires.

I paid about $100 for all the gaskets to do it myself. About 4-6 hours of work and tight areas to get into. Im sure its a few hundred for a shop to do it. Use the vendors on the side of the webpage for parts, they give us awesome discounts for being on this website.

Tight areas indeed! Ditto for a few hundred in labor for the Ford dealership to do it.

If the OP wants to save some money, do the passenger side himself (easy), save about $200 in labor, and leave the drivers side to a dealership. Unless he is a true DIY person and doesnt mind the tight spaces on the drivers side.

Hi All

P/N's required..for v-8 inc "O" rings
r/s vc gasket KIT...XW4Z-6584-AB list $43.85 LVC $32.89
l/s vc gasket KIT...XW4Z-6854-BB list $44.38 LVC $33.29