Engine Oil in Sparkies

[dc5TypeRRRR]

Hi guys,

My girlfriends little sis recently got her timing belt change for her DC4. The car has done almost 200ks. Im not a mechinic or any thing but I usually do minor services for her including changing engine oils, sparkies, oil etc. However, ever since the change of timing belt (which was also when I did a service for her), maybe a good month after I noticed that their was Engine Oil in/around 2 of the spark plugs. I've double checked to make sure the sparkies were tight and also the right ones (which she bought) which they are. What would the cause of this be and could the change of the timing belt be the cause. I know for the fact the mechanic that was changing the timing belt had hired some new apprentices at the time.

Confused what the problem is

[SINISTR]

Oil on spark plugs could be 1 of 2 things and not caused by a change of the Timing belt.

Option 1: If oil is around the actual 'ignitor' and thread from the inside of the motor I'd say the oil rings on the car are on their way out and have what I believe is called 'blow by'.

Option 2:
You could have accidentally spilled some oil down the rocker cover and oil came down to the plugs. Maybe take the plugs out and give them a clean, take a lint free rag and try wiping area around the plug holes.

[dc5TypeRRRR]

If it is option 1, I think I would get the mechanic to look at it as I have no idea what you are talking about

With option 2, Im very carefully and take my time doing stuff. Ive also got the a huge funnel so i would not highly spill anything everywhere. Yeh I tried what u also mention by wiping off the oil in around the spark plug area and also replace it with new sparkies which didnt help the problem.

Is this gonna be a big or costly job for the mechanic???

[destrukshn]

could also be your spark plug tube seals.

[CRXer]

Do u mean in the spark plug wells on top of the spark plugs?

If so its prob quite simply the seals between the head & the rocker cover are damaged or worn.

Just take the rocker cover off & inspect the seals.
Get some liquid gasket to seal the corners of the cam arches when your replacing it between the gasket & the head & tighten it down to about 9.8 Nm in a diagonal sequence starting from the inner most bolts.Tighten the nuts down gradually going around them all a few times bringing the cover slowly down into place.

They would of taken the cover off to replace the timing belt & probably overtightened it or similar.

[SINISTR]

^^^ that could also be a problem yes.

:)

[destrukshn]

Do u mean in the spark plug wells on top of the spark plugs?

If so its prob quite simply the seals between the head & the rocker cover are damaged or worn.

Just take the rocker cover off & inspect the seals.
Get some liquid gasket to seal the corners of the cam arches when your replacing it between the gasket & the head & tighten it down to about 9.8 Nm in a diagonal sequence starting from the inner most bolts.Tighten the nuts down gradually going around them all a few times bringing the cover slowly down into place.

They would of taken the cover off to replace the timing belt & probably overtightened it or similar.
or the the seals could of just worn out after 200kms
lol.

[SINISTR]

if your rings are gone - option 1 - its a bottom end rebuild. But as CRXer said if its just the plug tube seals its not as bad.

[CRXer]

or the the seals could of just worn out after 200kms
lol.

true,especially that the cover prob been removed a few times already.

but coincidence it happened right after service.

[destrukshn]

true,especially that the cover prob been removed a few times already.

but coincidence it happened right after service.
yeah but somtimes when you take it off, and then put it back on correctly, it's just old age and leaks, lol, that's why everytime i do something like, adjust tappets or anything like that, that ivolves gaskets and seals, i like to replaced while i'm there, saves time and a hassles.
lol.

[CRXer]

yeah but somtimes when you take it off, and then put it back on correctly, it's just old age and leaks, lol, that's why everytime i do something like, adjust tappets or anything like that, that ivolves gaskets and seals, i like to replaced while i'm there, saves time and a hassles.
lol.

By the looks of your sig,your lucky to have all these parts at your fingertips,might have to shoot ya a PM next time i do something & do it properly,lol.

[destrukshn]

np's..
lol.

[dc5TypeRRRR]

Do u mean in the spark plug wells on top of the spark plugs?

If so its prob quite simply the seals between the head & the rocker cover are damaged or worn.

Just take the rocker cover off & inspect the seals.
Get some liquid gasket to seal the corners of the cam arches when your replacing it between the gasket & the head & tighten it down to about 9.8 Nm in a diagonal sequence starting from the inner most bolts.Tighten the nuts down gradually going around them all a few times bringing the cover slowly down into place.

They would of taken the cover off to replace the timing belt & probably overtightened it or similar.

I dont know what is called but, the oil is sitting at the bottom of where I screw the spark plug to the engine. So where exactly is the oil coming from??? Im a bit confused ... is it from the bottom where the spark is screw too or from the spark plug wire part??? I

[CRXer]

I dont know what is called but, the oil is sitting at the bottom of where I screw the spark plug to the engine. So where exactly is the oil coming from??? Im a bit confused ... is it from the bottom where the spark is screw too or from the spark plug wire part??? I

Pull the spark plug lead out of the engine & run your finger down the wall of the hole.U will feel a join where the head cover meets the cylinder head not far down,see if u can detect any oil leaking thru this seal.You can see the black seal about 10mm down,heres a pic.

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g268/CRXer/IMG_1251_1_1.jpg

[destrukshn]

noice pic.
=)

[CRXer]

:o :o :o :o :o :o :o

I think i can see oil in this pic on the bottom,expect PM soon:o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o

EDIT actually the more i look at it,this thread could prob need a 18+ on it.

[panda[cRx]]

could also be your spark plug tube seals.

quite common :thumbsup:

if they need doing you may as well do the rocker cover gasket as well :wave:

[IZY-10]

I actually had the same problem on my b18a as well. It ended uo being the spark plug tubes so i took the rocker cover off cleaned the rocker cover seal and sp tube seals and used this silicon like stuff my mechanic gave to me. Ever since i've done this there has been not one drop of oil.

[bennjamin]

For a DIY to replace these seals , refer to this DIY i did a fair bit back.

http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22561

:)

[mooshie]

after 200000km and during a timing belt change i would have thought that a mechanic would have just changed them at the same time, or at least suggested it? very easy to fix though just follow the DIY.

[bigjo5]

its the the spark plug o-rings/seals.. prolly just old and worn out.. therefore they go stiff and doesnt do its job sealing off the oil

[aaronng]

For a DIY to replace these seals , refer to this DIY i did a fair bit back.

http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22561

:)
Pics need updating though...

[bennjamin]

Pics need updating though...

yes you have that correct bravo :)

[dc5TypeRRRR]

Pull the spark plug lead out of the engine & run your finger down the wall of the hole.U will feel a join where the head cover meets the cylinder head not far down,see if u can detect any oil leaking thru this seal.You can see the black seal about 10mm down,heres a pic.

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g268/CRXer/IMG_1251_1_1.jpg

Thanks guys,

I will have a look and see if i could do it myself from the DIY section. Thanks for the help

[destrukshn]

on a the b18a motor it should be quite easy.
but, do not over tighten the bolts on the rocker cover. it may either leak again or snap a bolt.
lol.