Spark plug tube full of engine oil (all 4)

[PandaBear]

Got to be at least 2-4 table spoon worth of oil in each tube, but no leak out of the valve cover gasket. Has been 30k since I try to pull the plug and most of the oil looks dark (I recently changed oil), so I suspected that it is a slow leak accumulated over time.

Cleaning it up right now with paper towel and removal of the spark plugs, should I use chemical or just let some of it (probably about 1/2 table spoon each cylinder) leak down to the combustion chamber. Would that be a concern? Should I be running some fuel injector / intake system cleaner afterward to help cleaning the oil off?

I suspect that it is because of insufficient torque when I replace the cam socket plug last time, could this be true? The head was rebuild (head gasket area milled flat and all valve checked) after the head warp due to overheat 4 years ago.

 

[steve20]

replace the individual seals on around the plug wells- that is where the oil leak is from


Steve

 

[Kestas]

^^^ what steve said. Eastomers take a compression set and need to be refreshed, just like your standard tap faucet seat.

 

[Eddie]

My 2000 Subaru needed new Spark plug O-Ring seals. I would think that manufactures would have figured out what material to use by now to alleviate this nuisance but, I guess not.

 

[Kestas]

All they care is that it doesn't leak during warranty.

 

[JHZR2]

Usually those holes are well sealed and quite clean. if they are clean in there besides the oil, I'd just let what it there drip in (though I'd have a paper towel at the ready to try to absorb as much as you could regardless).

If you see a lot of junk in there, I'd be far more careful.

 

[morris]

the old 392 chrysler hemis did the same thing. there was a kit for the the 392 to stop oil from going in to spark plug hole, but was mostly for racing. oil in the chamber would cause detonation. but on a street app the oil didnt cause much trouble

 

[PandaBear]

The tubes are clean inside other than the oil, and I've used probably about 2 paper towel per tube to suck up as much as possible. When all is done I'll probably throw a bottle of Gumout Regane in the tank to clean up the combustion chamber later.

 

[morris]

as far as to clean up the combustion chamber i recomend mmo in the gas tank, 4 oz for 10 gal of fuel. reg mmo is NOT for diesel. i have been using mmo for 3 decades, no trouble.

 

[CBR.worm]

I would go ahead and replace the valve cover gasket and the tube o-rings, make sure they were installed properly last time sometimes there is a groove they fit into and if they are upside down they will leak. Make sure the surfaces are clean and dry and properly torque the valve cover.

The stuff shouldn't need to be replaced yet, but you might as well. having oil around the plug can't be good for a number of reasons.

I have done the same thing with the paper towels to suck up what you can.

 

[PandaBear]

I've had minor leaks before, usually around a few drops here and there, but having 2-3 table spoon in each tube is quite a bit more than what I've experienced. Having all 4 just doesn't make sense either unless I installed it wrong last time.

Could not tightening it right makes it leak so bad? I'm more concern about a pressure build up instead.

 

[mechtech2]

That much oil up there is almost certainly a VC problem, not from the other end [engine internals].
Sop it up with paper towels or cloth wrapped around a probe of some sort - screwdriver, etc. -whatever fits. Get what you can right now, and
when the plugs are out, you can get it all.
A simple re tightening, or maybe new seals may be needed.

If this is tough to fix after you try standard stuff, you can always use a premium RTV sealant. Clean it perfectly first, and smear a little coating on the seals. [NO OIL] Give it plenty of cure time [more in cold weather], and she will be leak free for years.

 

[CBR.worm]

Brakekleen on a lint free towel works great for getting metal surfaces oil free. Spraying brakekleen on it followed by compressed air is even better but I wouldn't recommend that unless the head is off the engine.

 

[Vizzy]

Originally Posted By: PandaBear
The tubes are clean inside other than the oil, and I've used probably about 2 paper towel per tube to suck up as much as possible. When all is done I'll probably throw a bottle of Gumout Regane in the tank to clean up the combustion chamber later.




Yep good choice or Techron Complete Fuel System cleaner....whatever it is make sure it is around 50% PEA concentration ...Forget the MMO it is not an effective cleaner.