Question: Oil Around The Spark Plug

[d2a4]

Replaced spark plugs yesterday, see some oil on the spark plugs chamber on one cylinder (not inside cylinder), question: is it the valve cover gasket? The other 7 chambers is bone dry.

[Raudi RS4]

Where exactly did you find the oil? On the threads? On the tip?

[jakeoboy67]

if the sparkplug wasn't loose to the point of leaking, i'd blame the valve cover seal

[prfktgntlmn]

Which cylinder, #5?

[d2a4]

The oil is on the outside of the cylinder (not inside) where the coilpack go over the spark plug. The spark plug is tight. May be about 10 drops. Cylinder #4 (passenger side, back firewall)

[IslandHydro]

valve cover gasket

[Raudi RS4]

valve cover gasket

^^^

[Heldyballs]

I agree with the consensus that it's a valve cover gasket, however I'll add that I don't think it's that big of a deal. I used to own a car where this was a common issue (Infiniti G35) and two of my six cylinders collected a small amount of oil around the spark plug. I'd say it was maybe a Tablespoon over 50,000 miles but I never noticed any loss in performance. The G35 community kind of freaked out about the problem, and a lot of owners replaced their valve covers (plastic valve covers with built-in gaskets) at the slightest sign of oil infiltration for $500+.

Spark plug threads are tight enough to keep 1500ish psi of combustion gasses in, so they will definitely keep thick motor oil out. Prior to changing spark plugs, make sure you use a rag to sop up as much oil as you can before pulling the plug.

That being said, if you can't deal with something being wrong with your car (which I totally understand), spend a few hundred on a valve cover gasket and be done with it.

[koolade9]

valve cover gasket

^^^

^^^

I agree with the consensus that it's a valve cover gasket, however I'll add that I don't think it's that big of a deal. I used to own a car where this was a common issue (Infiniti G35) and two of my six cylinders collected a small amount of oil around the spark plug. I'd say it was maybe a Tablespoon over 50,000 miles but I never noticed any loss in performance. The G35 community kind of freaked out about the problem, and a lot of owners replaced their valve covers (plastic valve covers with built-in gaskets) at the slightest sign of oil infiltration for $500+.

Spark plug threads are tight enough to keep 1500ish psi of combustion gasses in, so they will definitely keep thick motor oil out. Prior to changing spark plugs, make sure you use a rag to sop up as much oil as you can before pulling the plug.

That being said, if you can't deal with something being wrong with your car (which I totally understand), spend a few hundred on a valve cover gasket and be done with it.

Nothing good ever came from oil outside of the engine, keep your oil where it belongs...inside.

[d2a4]

The funny thing is the cover side has oil is bone dry around but the other side is a little wet. Placed order for a set of gasket, my car need some love anyway.

[Striddy]

Are you sure it's oil and not fuel?