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spark plugs covered with oil

Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2006 10:30 am
by robsta
i done a spark plug change last weekend and some of the old plugs were covered with oil, im assuming this is not a good thing. any ideas what needs to be replaced?

Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2006 10:36 am
by Bennoz
Erm... yeah... Oil on plugs is bad.

Things that can cause that? Worn piston rings, shot valve seals & valve guides. All pricey items to repair.

I would put new plugs in & see if they come out looking the same. If they do - then at least you can pin point the cylinders that are doing it. Then you can get compression tests done on those cylinders. Does it blow any smoke out of the exhaust?

Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2006 10:51 am
by robsta
nah it hasnt been blowing smoke.
i'll check them out on the weekend and see if they are covered with oil again

Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2006 11:10 am
by mxysxy
Robsta,
One of the main reason having oiled spark plugs is having too much oil in the engine.
Check your oil level immediately.
If too much get rid of some asap, and make sure to recycle the oil.

It is not funny anymore that how many time after servicing I had to drain the excess oil myself.
I have serviced my FTO in many Mitsubishi services, and with Lee in Melbourne,
Always had way too much oil put in.
One time I remember the oil level was about 2-2.5 cm above the max line.

Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2006 1:17 pm
by Chiangstar
i'd check the rocker cover seals... the circle ones at the top of the spark plug 'hole'... if theyre worn oil will come in on the top of the spark plug and when you take the plug out, itll drip down looking like its all over the spark plug

simon

Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2006 2:42 pm
by robsta
thanks for your help so far guys, i'll take a look at it on the weekend if i dont get a chance during the week. are the rocker cover seals expensive?

Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2006 2:52 pm
by Bennoz
$6 bucks a pop from memory - Part No: MD178940 :wink:

Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2006 3:11 pm
by robsta
6$ each...thats a bit much on a trainee wage lol..
i hope thats the problem and its not anything serious. thanks for the part number bennoz

Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2006 4:46 pm
by khunjeng
RC gasket is not that hard to replace once you have the seal...however make sure you claen 100% of the old seal off and make sure the surface is well prepared. Use some gasket stuff to reseal...