Oil on spark plugs: Do I have a leak?

[dee05tj]

I went to Change my spark plugs and wires and the first plug has oil all in chamber and on plug. The second one only has oil around the threads. Does this mean i have to change valve cover gasket or where it got overspill from putting oil in without funnel..

 

[g.hayduke]

I went to Change my spark plugs and wires and the first plug has oil all in chamber and on plug. The second one only has oil around the threads. Does this mean i have to change valve cover gasket or where it got overspill from putting oil in without funnel..

Can you clarify what you mean by "oil all in chamber and on plug"? Are we talking combustion chamber or something else? If it's in the combustion chamber, the VC gasket can't be the culprit.

Check PCV condition and make sure it's not clogged. Otherwise, might be time for at least a top end overhaul.

If you have oil running down the outside of the head or block, then replace the VC gasket.

 

[dee05tj]

Can you clarify what you mean by "oil all in chamber and on plug"? Are we talking combustion chamber or something else? If it's in the combustion chamber, the VC gasket can't be the culprit.

Check PCV condition and make sure it's not clogged. Otherwise, might be time for at least a top end overhaul.

If you have oil running down the outside of the head or block, then replace the VC gasket.

i guess in the head where the spark plug screws in. The 2 close to the front are the ones with oil on them. but only 1 has oil around the threads and the other was completely covered in oil.

 

[Nimbley]

It could be spilled oil. If it reappears after cleaning up it’s your valve cover gasket. Change the PCV at the same time. It’s a simple fix.

 

[dee05tj]

It could be spilled oil. If it reappears after cleaning up it’s your valve cover gasket. Change the PCV at the same time. It’s a simple fix.

Thank You!! I already made sure PCV not clogged

 

[TJ2]

A.) If you have a valve cover gasket leak and you do not torque the plugs properly, the oil from the top can creep down into the chamber. This is easy fix.
B.) If you do not have a leak, then the engine block has leak inside the plugs chamber - it will create the idle rough when engine is still cold at low rpm. This is not an easy fix.

 

[dee05tj]

A.) If you have a valve cover gasket leak and you do not torque the plugs properly, the oil from the top can creep down into the chamber. This is easy fix.
B.) If you do not have a leak, then the engine block has leak inside the plugs chamber - it will create the idle rough when engine is still cold at low rpm. This is not an easy fix.

It was running rough until i changed the plugs and wires thats when i noticed the oil on the plugs. I think i will run it a while to see if it does it again. I do not wanna have to pay to have that vc gasket changed

 

[TJ2]

It was running rough until i changed the plugs and wires thats when i noticed the oil on the plugs. I think i will run it a while to see if it does it again. I do not wanna have to pay to have that vc gasket changed

If you can change the plugs yourself you can change the valve cover gasket. Google some videos, it's very easy.

 

[dee05tj]

If you can change the plugs yourself you can change the valve cover gasket. Google some videos, it's very easy.

Oh MY !!! Not sure about that. But I will sure give it a shot... If i see that this dont fix it. Thanks

 

[justfixedthat...]

It could be spilled oil. If it reappears after cleaning up it’s your valve cover gasket. Change the PCV at the same time. It’s a simple fix.

What's the trick to make changing the PCV valve a simple fix? I had to break mine off into several dozen pieces and pull out the remaining base with needle nose pliers. Maybe I should have pulled the grommet out too... If so, how do I get that out of there? Mine was hardened so much that I didn't even realize it was a rubber grommet until after I put in the new PCV.