Spark plug oil leak?

[cr445671]

I found some oil in my spark plug tubes, but I know its not the grommets. I did the head gaskets about 10k ago and replaced them while I was at it. Could it be coming from the spark plugs themselves? They're new also, and I torqued them to spec, but there isn't oil anywhere other than the plug tubes so I don't know where else it could be coming from. If that is it how could that happen? How big of a problem is it?

 

[scalman]

From spark plugs no. But if bad spark plug then can be. Bad valve cover gasket can leak some oil there in those tubes.

 

[Kevin]

I'm not sure how a leak into the spark plug tubes could come from the rocker cover gasket as it is independent of the tubes. I imagine a loose rocket cover could allow some oil to escape into the tubes.

 

[cr445671]

That's what confuses me, spark plugs/ grommets/ gaskets are all less than 10k old oem parts, and I was real careful when installing them. What I can see from the top looking in, the grommets themselves look clean, and where they are is a little recessed from the rest of the tube, it's just the wire ends (all of the big rubber part, including where you grab to pull it out) and seeping down bellow the plug holes where I find wetness.

 

[El_Freddo]

Seems unlikely that the oil would be coming from anywhere other than the grommets on the spark plug tubes.

I’m stripping an EJ253 down to a short block tomorrow for HG replacement and I’ll have a look at anything I can see with those tubes. I know they’re pressed in and I doubt they’d wiggle free.

Cheers

Bennie

 

[scalman]

on mine oil was inside that tube and it was from that gasket. that separate rubber ring part there. just change those , they cheap and see then.

 

[El_Freddo]

Looking at these heads (actually an EJ251 - I cross referenced the VIN plate), there’s no way oil can get into the tube other than past those grommets.

Are you sure you installed them properly and all surfaces were clean before install?

Only other thought I had was that oil remained in the spark plug tubes after the heads were removed and reinstalled with the new HGs.

This engine had a good 40mm of oil up the side of the spark plug end cap - engine ran perfect, no splutter, no codes etc.

I’d try and clean up what’s in there, either remove spark plugs and let the oil drain into the cylinders then reinstall plugs and let engine burn off the oil, or do the same and clean the tubes with a solvent or petrol, let drain into the cylinders and again, let the engine burn all the crap off.

Once clean, monitor the plugs at each oil change. If oil is present again I reckon you’ve got an issue with the fitment of the grommets.

Cheers

Bennie