My daughters '98 SOHC Neon has an oil leak into the steel tubes that surround the spark plugs. I know the oil is coming from the bottom up. What is the best sealant to use between the head and the tubes? I'm leaning toward Loctite 648 green.
Leaky Spark Plug Tubes
- Thread starter redbone3
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Yeah the valve cover gasket set comes with new seals for the spark plug tubes. I have one leaking on my high mileage Nissan too
Originally Posted By: redbone3
The tubes are not leaking from the top of the valve cover. The oil is seeping in from the bottom, where the tube and cylinder head meet.
Why would you think that
The tubes are not leaking from the top of the valve cover. The oil is seeping in from the bottom, where the tube and cylinder head meet.
Why would you think that
There is nothing that you can find leaking from the bottom up that I know of. If I understand correctly the tube is either cast as part of the head or pressed fit. The only seal should be between the valve cover and the tube.
You can probably buy them alone for about $10 for 4 on rock auto or as a valve cover gasket set for around $20-30.
You can probably buy them alone for about $10 for 4 on rock auto or as a valve cover gasket set for around $20-30.
Tubes coming loose seems to be a common problem on these, they are not a true press fit. Replacing the tubes and using Mopar sealant (probably red loctite but buy the one from the dealer anyway) seems to be the only real fix for them.
Maybe this helps..
Quote:
SPARK PLUG TUBE REMOVAL
(1) Remove the cylinder head cover. (Refer to 9 -
ENGINE/CYLINDER HEAD/CYLINDER HEAD
COVER(S) - REMOVAL)
(2) Using locking pliers, remove the tube from the
cylinder head (Fig. 34). Discard old tube.
INSTALLATION
(1) Clean area around spark plug with Mopart
parts cleaner or equivalent.
(2) Apply Mopart Stud and Bearing Mount or
equivalent to a new tube approximately 1 mm (0.039
in.) from the end in a 3 mm (0.118 in.) wide area.
(3) Install sealer end of tube into the cylinder
head. Then carefully install the tube using a hardwood
block and mallet until the tube is seated into
the bottom of the bore.
(4) Install the cylinder head cover. (Refer to 9 -
ENGINE/CYLINDER HEAD/CYLINDER HEAD
COVER(S) - INSTALLATION)
http://www.1aauto.com/spark-plug-tube/i/...CFYY2gQod93sJqw
Maybe this helps..
Quote:
SPARK PLUG TUBE REMOVAL
(1) Remove the cylinder head cover. (Refer to 9 -
ENGINE/CYLINDER HEAD/CYLINDER HEAD
COVER(S) - REMOVAL)
(2) Using locking pliers, remove the tube from the
cylinder head (Fig. 34). Discard old tube.
INSTALLATION
(1) Clean area around spark plug with Mopart
parts cleaner or equivalent.
(2) Apply Mopart Stud and Bearing Mount or
equivalent to a new tube approximately 1 mm (0.039
in.) from the end in a 3 mm (0.118 in.) wide area.
(3) Install sealer end of tube into the cylinder
head. Then carefully install the tube using a hardwood
block and mallet until the tube is seated into
the bottom of the bore.
(4) Install the cylinder head cover. (Refer to 9 -
ENGINE/CYLINDER HEAD/CYLINDER HEAD
COVER(S) - INSTALLATION)
http://www.1aauto.com/spark-plug-tube/i/...CFYY2gQod93sJqw
Originally Posted By: PandaBear
There is nothing that you can find leaking from the bottom up that I know of. If I understand correctly the tube is either cast as part of the head or pressed fit. The only seal should be between the valve cover and the tube.
Not true for all engines.
I don't know much about Neons, but the spark plug tubes on my Honda are notorious for leaking, and they most often leak from the bottom. There are rubber o-rings on the bottom of the tubes, as well as the top. You have to remove the rocker assembly which has the tubes attached to it and replace the o-rings at the bottom of the tubes.
Eric the Car Guy did a video on this, which I found very useful to guide me when I did this job on my car:
There is nothing that you can find leaking from the bottom up that I know of. If I understand correctly the tube is either cast as part of the head or pressed fit. The only seal should be between the valve cover and the tube.
Not true for all engines.
I don't know much about Neons, but the spark plug tubes on my Honda are notorious for leaking, and they most often leak from the bottom. There are rubber o-rings on the bottom of the tubes, as well as the top. You have to remove the rocker assembly which has the tubes attached to it and replace the o-rings at the bottom of the tubes.
Eric the Car Guy did a video on this, which I found very useful to guide me when I did this job on my car:
Trav,
Thanks for the info. I have heard red Loctite is the stuff from other sources. Because it is such a common problem I went to the Loctite site and found Loctite 648 is actually made for interference cylindrical applications. There was no mention of automotive use, but the temperature range of the product looks appropriate. Any experience with the 648 (green)?
Thanks for the info. I have heard red Loctite is the stuff from other sources. Because it is such a common problem I went to the Loctite site and found Loctite 648 is actually made for interference cylindrical applications. There was no mention of automotive use, but the temperature range of the product looks appropriate. Any experience with the 648 (green)?
No, sorry I haven't had much use for it, the only green I have used is the one that wcks into already assembled threads not sure of the number though.
The problem I think you will run into is the oil that's already down there will prevent it from working properly if you don't take it apart. If you have to take it apart anyway i would use the OE or red.
The problem I think you will run into is the oil that's already down there will prevent it from working properly if you don't take it apart. If you have to take it apart anyway i would use the OE or red.
Originally Posted By: Trav
No, sorry I haven't had much use for it, the only green I have used is the one that wcks into already assembled threads not sure of the number though.
The problem I think you will run into is the oil that's already down there will prevent it from working properly if you don't take it apart. If you have to take it apart anyway i would use the OE or red.
The 648 requires you to disassemble, clean, apply the sealant, then reassemble. Because it is made for cylindrical fit the recommendation is to twist the two together when fitting to ensure good even application (not gonna happen with spark plug tubes).
No, sorry I haven't had much use for it, the only green I have used is the one that wcks into already assembled threads not sure of the number though.
The problem I think you will run into is the oil that's already down there will prevent it from working properly if you don't take it apart. If you have to take it apart anyway i would use the OE or red.
The 648 requires you to disassemble, clean, apply the sealant, then reassemble. Because it is made for cylindrical fit the recommendation is to twist the two together when fitting to ensure good even application (not gonna happen with spark plug tubes).
I never used it so i couldn't say if it would work well or not, when in doubt I would go with what they recommend.
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