I changed the plugs in my 2002 today. No issues and all tips were light tan/white. However, oddly the #3 cylinder hole had dirty oil in it. I first noticed when I pulled out the plug socket..it was wet with oil. The threads on the plug had oil, but the tip of the plug was not fouled and the engine runs smoothly. I just replaced the plug and engine runs great.

Thoughts? Maybe someone somehow spilled oil in there? or is there a way for oil to get in there? It was dirty oil, not fresh.

thx

 

spark plug tube seals are the cause of oil in a spark plug hole. the tube seals come with most valve cover gasket sets.

this mahle set is cheap and decent. replacement is simple and it will correct your issue

 

Thanks! I was told by the buyer he replaced the valve cover gasket as its a known leak issue.......

How is the install? Is it complete valve cover removal, new gaskets? OR do the spark plug hole gaskets install differently.

thx

 

The valve cover needs to be removed entirely, the tube seals pop out from the center of the valve cover, then install is reverse. All in all it should take less than an hour if you have basic knowledge of repairs.

 

Perfect, thx!

 

Good time to do a valve adjust, since you'll be all the way there.

Oil in plug oil will cause misfires which will eventually burn out that ignition coil. If a coil goes bad soon, thats why.

 

About 2 years ago I replaced my head cover gasket and tube seals with Mahle parts when I did my valve adjustment. Recently noticed oil leak from the valve cover and when I removed my valve cover some of the tube seals just popped off from their mounts. I remembered I had to pry the original once out. All the tube seals were rock hard and so is the valve cover gasket. I had so much oil in my spark tube that I had to siphon them out. I was wondering why my car would idle rough sometimes. Learned my lesson here to never use non OEM parts

 

once you get the right parts make sure the top of the spark plug wells are dry before the valvecover goes back on so the seals contact dry metal. Also torque the valvecover to spec evenly.