Oil around sparkplugs

**Kurt Koseck** · 07-14-2008 04:56 AM

I changed out the sparkplugs this weekend on my 98 A4 2.8. I noticed that at least two sparkplugs seemed to be sitting in a pool of oil. Possilbe cause might be "blow-by" the sparkplug gasket? New plug gaskets can be installed with the smaller diameter ring against the head or against the plug. I went with smaller ring against block.
Any other thoughts?

Thanks

**GetBoosted84** · 07-14-2008 05:05 AM

Had the same issue on my 1.8T. It was the spark plug gasket. I just replaced it and problem solved.

**ct1.8t4me** · 07-14-2008 06:50 AM

Valve cover gasket.

**Nebone** · 07-14-2008 08:29 AM

All 2.8s have leaky valve cover gaskets and cam chain tensioner gaskets.

**Stampy** · 07-14-2008 08:33 AM

Its what the other guys mentioned

**MattzWarsteiner** · 07-14-2008 12:14 PM

^^ yes x2

**djwimbo** · 07-14-2008 05:16 PM

It's the middle part that's in this pic. It seals the spark plug tubes to the valve cover

**Kurt Koseck** · 08-11-2008 05:35 AM

Got the new gaskets and started the job. What a pain. Valve covers do come off, however they seem to get hung up and all sorts of things. Got them off, doing so resulted in breaking of the PCV line. This plastic line was crispy and plugged. Got a new one for about $80. What a pain to replace this line. Had the valve covers hot tanked, also painted them. They look good. Next, I broke a plastic vacuum line. Seems like all of the plastic under the hood is crispy.
I suspect that having a PCV hose plugged helped to cause oil to leak from the gaskets.
I haven't really looked yet, so I don't know how the vacuum lines are attached. Also, not sure where to get replacement vacuum line.
Any advice?

**D's Avant** · 08-11-2008 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by Kurt Koseck

Got the new gaskets and started the job. What a pain. Valve covers do come off, however they seem to get hung up and all sorts of things. Got them off, doing so resulted in breaking of the PCV line. This plastic line was crispy and plugged. Got a new one for about $80. What a pain to replace this line. Had the valve covers hot tanked, also painted them. They look good. Next, I broke a plastic vacuum line. Seems like all of the plastic under the hood is crispy.
I suspect that having a PCV hose plugged helped to cause oil to leak from the gaskets.
I haven't really looked yet, so I don't know how the vacuum lines are attached. Also, not sure where to get replacement vacuum line.
Any advice?

ECS sells silicone vacuum line by the foot. You can use blue shop towels to soak up the oil in the tubes before you pull the plugs out.

**Kurt Koseck** · 08-12-2008 05:17 AM

Thanks! Went to the parts store, saw many options. Bought 1 ft of small diameter rubber vacuum hose, sprayed it with silicone, slipped it over the ends of the hard plastic OEM vacuum line.
Pictures coming soon.