Help with spark plug install!

[jwallace0988]

So first time I am changing plugs in my S4 - not the first time I have done plugs before. As I pulled out the first coil, there was a rubber thin o-ring about the size of the coil wall. It was basically ruined. My question is - is it normal these come out? When I got to the second spark plug and pulled the coil - this one was half way ripped out where the other came completely put. Pics below for reference. I don't see any feasible way to get this rubber Oring back in as they look warm out and will not fit back into the groove they were in.


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[Lensch09]

Looks like part of the valve cover gasket. Sorry broseph, appears to be that you're gonna be pulling them valve covers.
-DL

[SwankP3RF3ct10n]

That's either a pinched gasket seal for the spark plug holes or Audi uses a gasket sealer instead for that and that's what you see. If it's a sealer, it may not be a big deal since that's just excess that squeezed after the valve cover got screwed down, but since I've not seen this on mine, I wanna say it was a pinched seal for that cylinder. If you don't replace it properly by taking the cover off and replacing all the seals, you could have an oil leak that goes into that spark plug channel and eventually will cause issues with the coil in it. (It won't leak past the spark plug and into the combustion chamber, so you don't have to worry about that, but it will probably kill the coil over time and maybe even overflow and drip out of the top hole past the coil seal, but that seal is pretty tight itself. Anyway, I'd do the job right and correct it.)

[jwallace0988]

So just an update I just finished all 6 - I now confirm it seems like more of the black gasket you apply on an oil pan which I believe seeped through - it was like this on both sides of the plugs. There was a small amount of oil residue on the middle drivers side coil pack. I know it shouldn't be there - however it didn't seem excessive by any means (it was only on a spot half way up the coil. Idk not happy seeing this black gasket - anyone else have experience removing the head and what that process looks like for gasket seal- is it the tube that can smush or is it a rubber actual gasket.


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[Krusty]

Just did my plug and sparks and never saw a thing similar to this, I would get to the bottom of this mystery if I were you.

[Lensch09]

I'm telling you, it's a valve cover gasket or something used to install a gasket. But, maybe not as bad as you'd think.



Obviously, the OPs car has had valve cover gaskets replaced at some point. As you can see in the image above, the gaskets are rubber, and not a liquid gasket.

Not to worry.

Many shops will use a dab or two of silicon/gasket maker on the spark plug holes to hold the gasket in place as they flip the cover upside down and onto the top of the cylinder head.

I would say pull one gasket cover (passenger is easier due to the crap placement of the coolant overflow), inspect the gasket and see what it looks like. If the gasket looks okay, re-install the cover and move on. Should only be a few bolts...10/13mm if it's similar to basically any other valve cover in history. When you reinstall the cover, be sure to torque in a start pattern to minimize the risk of leaks.

-DL


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[jwallace0988]

I'm telling you, it's a valve cover gasket or something used to install a gasket. But, maybe not as bad as you'd think.



Obviously, the OPs car has had valve cover gaskets replaced at some point. As you can see in the image above, the gaskets are rubber, and not a liquid gasket.

Not to worry.

Many shops will use a dab or two of silicon/gasket maker on the spark plug holes to hold the gasket in place as they flip the cover upside down and onto the top of the cylinder head.

I would say pull one gasket cover (passenger is easier), inspect the gasket and see what it looks like. If the gasket looks okay, re-install the cover and move on. Should only be a few bolts...10/13mm if it's similar to basically any other valve cover in history.

-DL


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Thanks for the quality response Lensch! Much appreciated. I may just end up calling the dealer - I do have the extended powertrain warranty and I feel like that sort of work should be covered, especially if this is not the norm. and especially if the car has had this work done prior to me purchasing it! I'll post back when I have more info so we can all learn together for future people. Bummer! But this is absolutely the reason why I enjoy doing work myself, I'm sure a dealer would have done the plugs and been like f*** it!


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[Vogz]

It's clearly excess RTV. I wouldn't worry about it at all unless you develop a measurable oil leak.

[SwankP3RF3ct10n]

It's clearly excess RTV. I wouldn't worry about it at all unless you develop a measurable oil leak.

This is what I was thinking also because of the way it looks.

[xpoweruk]

So just an update I just finished all 6 - I now confirm it seems like more of the black gasket you apply on an oil pan which I believe seeped through - it was like this on both sides of the plugs. There was a small amount of oil residue on the middle drivers side coil pack. I know it shouldn't be there - however it didn't seem excessive by any means (it was only on a spot half way up the coil. Idk not happy seeing this black gasket - anyone else have experience removing the head and what that process looks like for gasket seal- is it the tube that can smush or is it a rubber actual gasket.


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Just below the oil filler cap then ;)

[Jroyalty7]

So just an update I just finished all 6 - I now confirm it seems like more of the black gasket you apply on an oil pan which I believe seeped through - it was like this on both sides of the plugs. There was a small amount of oil residue on the middle drivers side coil pack. I know it shouldn't be there - however it didn't seem excessive by any means (it was only on a spot half way up the coil. Idk not happy seeing this black gasket - anyone else have experience removing the head and what that process looks like for gasket seal- is it the tube that can smush or is it a rubber actual gasket.


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So ran into the exact same issue today as I swapped out my plug's for the first time. Oil in the same spot, middle cylinder on drivers side (bank 2 cylinder 5 I believe) and pieces of black gasket overflow coming out of most the cylinders. Question, how big of a concern is the oil leak in the cylinder? There wasn't very much, kind of hoping to ride it out for a little while until I have more free time to tackle the valve job.

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[evil35r]

Same thing happened to me yesterday same spot. Hardly any oil but the gasket or rtv was slightly ripped. Didn't mess with it cleaned the oil which was enough to turn a paper towel in one sport slightly brown. Installed everything and kept trucking. I wouldn't worry about it it's not going to leak bad it at all. If your worried use some rtv and slap some in there.

[Jroyalty7]

Same thing happened to me yesterday same spot. Hardly any oil but the gasket or rtv was slightly ripped. Didn't mess with it cleaned the oil which was enough to turn a paper towel in one sport slightly brown. Installed everything and kept trucking. I wouldn't worry about it it's not going to leak bad it at all. If your worried use some rtv and slap some in there.

Yeah that was the plan and thank you puts my mind at rest to hear others with the same outcome. Weird though that there's a leak in the same spot on several different cars, leave it to Audi to be consistent lmao

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[evil35r]

Yea haha. When I pulled out the coil I was like wtf. But after reading a lot r8's have had the same issue and if those guys are ok I'm ok lol.

[ShelbyM3]

I have an oil leak in the same spot. I made a thread asking about it a while ago. I ended up buying two valve cover gaskets off RockAuto for like $9 for the future.


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[Jroyalty7]

I have an oil leak in the same spot. I made a thread asking about it a while ago. I ended up buying two valve cover gaskets off RockAuto for like $9 for the future.


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Crazy... wonder just how common this really is

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[bhvrdr]

It's clearly excess RTV. I wouldn't worry about it at all unless you develop a measurable oil leak.

Yup, this is exactly the same on my car when I changed mine. I checked the notes and the car had decarbon cleaning about 5k miles before I got it (at 25k miles or so). Its nothing to worry about.
Mike