oil on coilpack and spark plug, do i need new valve cover gasket?

[aspw]

I read some older threads on here that valve cover gasket will need to be replaced if there are oil on the CPs and/or spark plugs.

I was checking the gap on my stock spark plugs this morning, and saw the coilpack in cylinder 2 (counting from closest to the bumper) is popped up about 1" or so compared to the others.

I unplugged it and pull it out, and discovered that both spark plugs and coilpack are greasy (see pics)





Is the oil caused by the coilpack not sitting tight, or is there a leak somewhere? How do I tell?

Also, if the spark plugs look like this, are they due for replacements?



Thanks for helping a noob out LOL.

[EmoScumBag]

I read some older threads on here that valve cover gasket will need to be replaced if there are oil on the CPs and/or spark plugs.

I was checking the gap on my stock spark plugs this morning, and saw the coilpack in cylinder 2 (counting from closest to the bumper) is popped up about 1" or so compared to the others.

I unplugged it and pull it out, and discovered that both spark plugs and coilpack are greasy (see pics)





Is the oil caused by the coilpack not sitting tight, or is there a leak somewhere? How do I tell?

Also, if the spark plugs look like this, are they due for replacements?



Thanks for helping a noob out LOL.

yes yes yes and yes. With your coil pack out you can see where the gasket sits, hence where the oil is coming from. Its a pretty straight forward fix, pull the valve cover, pull up the old gasket and replace. There is a helpful DIY in the DIY section. I just did it last week, took about 45 minutes because of those one time use clamps. I recommend buying new clamps for the 3 hoses youll have to pull off.

Keep in mind, at the back of the VC, is the PVC valve, and another hose running off the VC to the right, its smaller. Its connected to a check valve that gets riddled with heat, just be careful not to break it.

You can get the gasket and silicon off of ECS's website, cost you about 24 bucks total. Good luck

[aspw]

You can get the gasket and silicon off of ECS's website, cost you about 24 bucks total. Good luck

thanks for your help. right after i posted this I went out for a drive and one of the coil pack blew. damn it's one thing after another.

[old guy]

I just did it last week, took about 45 minutes because of those one time use clamps. I recommend buying new clamps for the 3 hoses youll have to pull off.

Once you know the trick to the one time clamps you can take them off in 15 seconds, no problem. The trick is to pry up the tab at the end of the clamp and pull up. The clamp then easily separates. Be sure to thank Martini (A4mods.com)for the pic!!!

[EmoScumBag]

Ya that works well on larger clamps, but those small ones piss me off. I just dremmel them now

[edge19lw]

would it be just removing the screws from the valve cover for a 3.0 also? my 2 coilpacks have been poppng out a couple centimeters lately cause i believe the valve cover gasket is leaking also and oil gets on the upper part (on the rubber) of the coilpack

[EmoScumBag]

would it be just removing the screws from the valve cover for a 3.0 also? my 2 coilpacks have been poppng out a couple centimeters lately cause i believe the valve cover gasket is leaking also and oil gets on the upper part (on the rubber) of the coilpack

not 100% sure about a 3.0. They could possible being pushed up from pressure escaping or something. Hopefully someone with experience with a 3.0 will chime in.

[FourRings80]

This might help you with your spark plug need replacing question

http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/techinf...000&country=US

[old guy]

would it be just removing the screws from the valve cover for a 3.0 also? my 2 coilpacks have been poppng out a couple centimeters lately cause i believe the valve cover gasket is leaking also and oil gets on the upper part (on the rubber) of the coilpack

Usually when a coil pack pops up it is because of a loose plug or a defective seal between the plug body and insulator. The leaking gas pressure is what pushes the coil pack out. A leaking valve cover gasket will make a mess but won't cause the coil packs to pop up.

Good luck!

[[email protected]]

As Olg Guy said, a popped up coilpack is usually a sign of a spark plug that has not been tightened down enough. Now before you go out and tighten down the plugs it is best to use a small torque wrench to do the job to 28Nm and make sure the engine is COLD!

Tightening the plug with a warm head is just asking for you to strip the threads and that is a bad idea.

Also swap out the platinum plugs and replace them with copper ones and the just replace the plugs every second oil change (10,000 miles)

[B6480Avant]

Also swap out the platinum plugs and replace them with copper ones and the just replace the plugs every second oil change (10,000 miles)

what is the reasoning for this?

[EmoScumBag]

what is the reasoning for this?

A very good one(s).

http://www.audigeeks.com/forums/index.php?topic=56.0

[B6480Avant]

i guess i better return my platinum spark plugs tomorrow i never liked how they lasted so long anyways

would these be good then BKR7E

what do you guys run?

after how many miles should i replace them 3 to 5 k? every oil change?

[edge19lw]

will using copper on the 3.0 make any difference compared to the platinum? or was that link just for turbo guys?

[DenverNoob]

will using copper on the 3.0 make any difference compared to the platinum? or was that link just for turbo guys?

Stock plugs are going to be just fine on your 3.0L. You arent going forced indiction at least for the time being (hehe) and hence no need to upgrade plugs. As mentioned before, the most important thing when installing a new plug is to tighten to spec (28nM) on a COLD motor. Aluminum heads, heat, and torque can prove to be a very expensive combination. As for the gaskets...not fun but relatively easy...and a HUGE DIYer mistake is the over-use of silicone...which often leads to more leaks, more work, and most importantly more cleaning up the head where the silicone leaks...so use it sparingly and only in the corner areas where it is required per the Bentley manual. When changing the gasket, do NOT forget to clean the contact surfaces up a bit...get all of the residual gasket and silicone off (a very fine grit sandpaper and light pressure should do the job if it doesnt come off by hand)...then install and torque down to spec. Pretty easy as mentioned before...just dont get lazy...it will only cause you to do more work in the near future!

best of luck!
-Ted