YACT: Just changed out cap/rotor/plugs, oil on 3rd(or 2nd?) plug ONLY

[Ns1]

So I changed out the spark plugs on my car, and all of the plugs looked pretty normal except for one. On the 3rd(or 2nd iono) one it was covered in oil. Well, not covered, but there was a pretty substantial amount of oil on the white part.


I know somebody must have a good answer =)

How do I fix it? Is it a big big problem (big as in don't drive the car) or a simple fix?

The car itself drives fine, in fact the changing out all of the above fixed my biggest gripe ("iffy" to drive (hard to explain), low idle).


Thanks in advance =)

 

[Evadman]

oil is most likely leaking past a worn valve seal or worn rings.

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: Evadman
oil is most likely leaking past a worn valve seal or worn rings.

uh is this something a fairly non car person can diagnose/fix?

 

[SuperSix]

Originally posted by: Evadman
oil is most likely leaking past a worn valve seal or worn rings.

True, a cylinder leakdown test will let you know if it's rings or not.. Does it puff a small amount os smoke on startup? A startup after the cars sits overnight?

 

[SuperSix]

Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis

Originally posted by: Evadman
oil is most likely leaking past a worn valve seal or worn rings.

uh is this something a fairly non car person can diagnose/fix?

Vavle seals aren't too tough, rings are a bitch.

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: SuperSix

Originally posted by: Evadman
oil is most likely leaking past a worn valve seal or worn rings.

True, a cylinder leakdown test will let you know if it's rings or not.. Does it puff a small amount os smoke on startup? A startup after the cars sits overnight?

what color smoke are we talking about here? there's a little but not something i dont' see on otehr cars (liek my parents)

 

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis

Originally posted by: SuperSix

Originally posted by: Evadman
oil is most likely leaking past a worn valve seal or worn rings.

True, a cylinder leakdown test will let you know if it's rings or not.. Does it puff a small amount os smoke on startup? A startup after the cars sits overnight?

what color smoke are we talking about here? there's a little but not something i dont' see on otehr cars (liek my parents)

Bluish white smoke would be oil. Does your plugs sit in a well, like the center of a valve cover?

 

[Eli]

It's probably a valve seal.. If it was worn rings, it seems like all cylinders would be equal.

 

[speed01]

Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis
Well, not covered, but there was a pretty substantial amount of oil on the white part.

Going by this, I would say that it is nothing more than a valve cover leaking onto the plug between the boot and the head...... Nothing really difficult to fix in most cases as long as everything removed is labeled so you know where it came from. Digital pics before removing anything can help alot with the reassembly....

Speed

 

[T2T III]

Originally posted by: speed01

Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis
Well, not covered, but there was a pretty substantial amount of oil on the white part.

Going by this, I would say that it is nothing more than a valve cover leaking onto the plug between the boot and the head...... Nothing really difficult to fix in most cases as long as everything removed is labeled so you know where it came from. Digital pics before removing anything can help alot with the reassembly....

Speed

Speed, you said essentially what I was going to say. Chrysler vehicles (with 4 cylinder engines) were famous for having those smaller circular seals dry-up and crack which would then allow oil to pass through to the spark plugs.

What make/model of vehicle are we discussing in this thread? Is it a 4 cylinder engine or a 6 cylinder?

 

[Mookow]

Originally posted by: wje

Originally posted by: speed01

Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis
Well, not covered, but there was a pretty substantial amount of oil on the white part.

Going by this, I would say that it is nothing more than a valve cover leaking onto the plug between the boot and the head...... Nothing really difficult to fix in most cases as long as everything removed is labeled so you know where it came from. Digital pics before removing anything can help alot with the reassembly....

Speed

Speed, you said essentially what I was going to say. Chrysler vehicles (with 4 cylinder engines) were famous for having those smaller circular seals dry-up and crack which would then allow oil to pass through to the spark plugs.

What make/model of vehicle are we discussing in this thread? Is it a 4 cylinder engine or a 6 cylinder?

Given his confusion on whether it was the 2nd or 3rd cylinder, I'd say its a 4 banger.

 

[JC]

When you say there's oil on 'the white part'....do you mean the part that is inside or outside the cylinder? If it's inside the cylinder, it's nothing a 'fairly non-car person' will want to get into. If it's on the outside, no biggie.

JC