Oil on Sparkplugs, should I be concerned?

[jaydromo21]

Hello, I just changed out my spark plugs. But as I was taking out the old ones they were a bit rusty and had some oil in them. The cylinders on the ends of the block are the ones that had it. The one that had a lot was next to the oil cap. Should I be concerned about all this oil? it just looked moist in there and I didnt see any puddles of oil in there. Thanks in advance

 

[Evil90TSi]

Hello, I just changed out my spark plugs. But as I was taking out the old ones they were a bit rusty and had some oil in them. The cylinders on the ends of the block are the ones that had it. The one that had a lot was next to the oil cap. Should I be concerned about all this oil? it just looked moist in there and I didnt see any puddles of oil in there. Thanks in advance

Well.... oil on the spark plugs can mean one of two things usually. A. Oil is passing by the piston rings and is being ignited with the fuel. B.Head gasket is leaking a bit of oil into the cylinder.

Since you have seen it in more than one cylinder, it's pretty impossible for it to be the head gasket. I'd put money on needing new rings.

How many miles are on the motor?

 

[bmx198706]

could it possibly be the inside gaskets of where the spark plugs go on the valve cover?

 

[jemsoccer]

Concerned? Depends on your definition of concerned. I would say the car will continue to run, but you'll have to keep an eye on the oil consumption assuming it is burning or leaking oil at a moderate rate. If you'd like to have this car run for a long time and/or would like to get the best performance/gas mileage out of it, you should address it.

I'd vote for the seals around the spark plugs as apposed to bad rings. But both are possible issues.

 

[jaydromo21]

Yeah I dont really have much knowledge on all of this just yet, but im trying to learn it. Ok that engine has 108k miles on, I just had it swapped in due to breaking timing belt on the old one.

 

[jaydromo21]

I also dont think its the rings because there is no smoke coming out of my exhaust, its clean and no smoke at all.

 

[talondave]

i would just get a new valve cover gasket kit and a new oil cap and try that.

 

[21whiskey]

i just replased my valve cover gasket and rings cause I had the same problem... And everything seems to be ok now....

 

[wrknmike924]

Did you have oil on the plug wires when you pulled them out? If so that is a solid given that the seals in the valve cover have gone bad. If the oil was more or less on the end of the spark plug and around the threads, you more than likely are getting some oil blow by.

 

[Evil90TSi]

I figured you didn't have any on your wires since you didn't mention it and had to take them off to change the plugs. They are right though, it could possibly be your valve grommets. But your motor has some good mileage on it too. Just check where on the spark plugs exactly the oil is and if there's any on the valve cover itself.

 

[jaydromo21]

There was a little bit of oil on one of the wires, I didnt think it would matter much.

 

[wrknmike924]

I may start with replaceing the valve cover gromets, and seeing where that takes you. I went threw three diffrent brands of gaskets before i finaly went directly to mitsubishi and purchased an oem one. Havent had a problem since. But like stated before, your motor does have some milage on it. Could very well be rings. But i would start with the simple and work your way from there.

 

[Evil90TSi]

I would have to agree. Start with the valve cover and find out if it's the issue. If it is then good you have nothing major needed done as far as that's concerned. If it looks ok and all the grommets are ok then you need to do some further diagnosing.

 

[jaydromo21]

how would one change the valve cover gasket? Just need some tips ### my dad pretty much says he knows how to do it, just need tips, thanks.

 

[Evil90TSi]

It's pretty straight forward. Just don't use any power tools. Some of the bolts could be hard to get off and you don't want to break them off into the head. Then that's real headache.

 

[jaydromo21]

alright, the bolts dont need to be torqued down do they?

 

[Evil90TSi]

alright, the bolts dont need to be torqued down do they?

Technically they do, but probably nobody does it. If I'm not mistaken it is 7lbs. Which is by far easily done with a wrench. Just be careful not to go crazy with it. Just snug them.

 

[rstare]

8ft lbs for the valve cover bolts.

 

[chinojuice]

20 ft-lbs for spark plugs.

Step 1: 40 inch-lbs (3.33 ft-lbs)
Step 2: 80 inch-lbs (6.66 ft-lbs)
Step 3: 107 inch-lbs (8.91 ft-lbs)

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[Locke]

I (personally) avoid using a ratchet or wrench when installing a valve cover - I prefer to snug them with a hand driver; it makes accidents less likely.

 

[TalonTsi_291]

On my old 420a when i pulled my wires the spark plug tubes were FULL of oil. If you have oil on the wires and the side of the plug that doesnt go into the cylinder its definately the seals around the spark plug tubes. They come with a new valve cover gasket too. Mine was like 30 bucks from napa. As far as doin it its pretty simple. You dont have to take off your ignition coil but you can. Undo the 8 bolts holding down the cover, remove the old gasket and install the new one. If im not mistaken torque on the bolts was around 9 ft pounds. But the bolts have a thicker shaft then the thread size to prevent over tightening them and cracking the valve cover. Its a pretty simple fix. I replaced my wires also after i found the oil. Figured what could it hurt.

 

[wrknmike924]

As far as doin it its pretty simple. You dont have to take off your ignition coil but you can.

If im not mistaken you DO have to remove the ignition coil. There is a bolt right underneath it for the valve cover. Someone correct me if im wrong.

 

[TalonTsi_291]

you could be right. I took the coil off when i did it. but i dont remember if there was a bolt under it or not

 

[kinter86]

I had the same problem. I went to change the plugs and seen oil. I changed the valve cover gasket and the plug rings, started it up the checked the plugs again and there was no oil. just my 2cents.