Oil on plug threads (OMFG)
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v-card member alpha
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,010
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From: Assplosion, NE
Oil on plug threads (OMFG)
Alright, this sucks, I thought I understood this but now I'm more confused than ever 
My engine, D16Z6, leaks a little oil onto the threads of the spark plugs.
It doesn't leak from the top, down into the hole, just gets on the threads, no chance of it affecting the plug boot, etc.
I ordered spark plug seals (seen them called tube seals as well) along with a valve cover gasket thinking that I would remove the valve cover and replace the seals to fix the leak.
It turns out that my engine does in fact have the tubes that stick out of the cylinder head which, from what I've read, should prevent oil from leaking onto my plug threads... yet it's there.
I'm guessing/assuming that the "spark plug seals" that I ordered for my car will fit in between the spark plug tubes and the valve cover - this will not solve my leak and won't help me at all.
Even if those seals were bad I wouldn't expect much, if any, leak issues from them because of their location.
Looking at my manual, the diagrams seem to suggest that there aren't any seals in that location and that there's no way for my leak to exist
So, I'm all confused, not only do I think I wasted $30 bucks, which I could've used, but I don't know how the hell oil is getting onto my plug threads or WTF I would have to change to stop it
This totally sucks :upset:
If anyone can shed some light so I have some idea what is going on I'd really appreciate it.
P.S. Sorry for picking almost the same name for the thread as yours Omniscient, I get stupid in the wee hours. Maybe shoulda just posted this in your thread :shrug: (not really)
My engine, D16Z6, leaks a little oil onto the threads of the spark plugs.
It doesn't leak from the top, down into the hole, just gets on the threads, no chance of it affecting the plug boot, etc.
I ordered spark plug seals (seen them called tube seals as well) along with a valve cover gasket thinking that I would remove the valve cover and replace the seals to fix the leak.
It turns out that my engine does in fact have the tubes that stick out of the cylinder head which, from what I've read, should prevent oil from leaking onto my plug threads... yet it's there.
I'm guessing/assuming that the "spark plug seals" that I ordered for my car will fit in between the spark plug tubes and the valve cover - this will not solve my leak and won't help me at all.
Even if those seals were bad I wouldn't expect much, if any, leak issues from them because of their location.
Looking at my manual, the diagrams seem to suggest that there aren't any seals in that location and that there's no way for my leak to exist
So, I'm all confused, not only do I think I wasted $30 bucks, which I could've used, but I don't know how the hell oil is getting onto my plug threads or WTF I would have to change to stop it
This totally sucks :upset:
If anyone can shed some light so I have some idea what is going on I'd really appreciate it.
P.S. Sorry for picking almost the same name for the thread as yours Omniscient, I get stupid in the wee hours. Maybe shoulda just posted this in your thread :shrug: (not really)
Last edited by A-series; Aug 4, 2007 at 02:57 AM. Reason: shorter & sweeter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville, FL
It is your plug tube seals. The seals are kind of a pain in the ass to install, but use some sort of lubricant (oil maybe) and you will get them into the valve cover. A couple of mine were broken torn due to crap materials (aftermarket) however after replacing them I have not had a drop of oil on the plugs. Careful not to overtorque your valve cover bolts.