Engine oil in spark plug area - thoughts
Discussion
Corsa B X14XE engine
Finally got round to finding out why its running rough - as now 7 separate "mechanics" have told me they can't find a problem.
Pulled all the plugs today - cyl 1 and 2 are fine, look normal as per the haynes manual spark plug guide
Pulled cyl 3 and 4, the whole area is covered in oil where you pull the HT leads out of - I don't think this is blowback from blown piston rings as the compression is fine, and I don't get any blue smoke while driving.
I need to replace the rocker cover gasket at some point next week - is this likely to be a replaceable oil seal accessible from there, or are we thinking its going to be a head off / head gasket failure?
Unfortunately I have no option but to repair this myself now, as apparently my engine is too complicated to work on by any known mechanic in the south east, so I am on my own.
Finally got round to finding out why its running rough - as now 7 separate "mechanics" have told me they can't find a problem.
Pulled all the plugs today - cyl 1 and 2 are fine, look normal as per the haynes manual spark plug guide
Pulled cyl 3 and 4, the whole area is covered in oil where you pull the HT leads out of - I don't think this is blowback from blown piston rings as the compression is fine, and I don't get any blue smoke while driving.
I need to replace the rocker cover gasket at some point next week - is this likely to be a replaceable oil seal accessible from there, or are we thinking its going to be a head off / head gasket failure?
Unfortunately I have no option but to repair this myself now, as apparently my engine is too complicated to work on by any known mechanic in the south east, so I am on my own.
Hmmm, weird one.
Are you SURE that the piston rings are ok? Normally you'd only expect your plugs to be fouled with oil if the rings are on the way out... You say you've done a compression test which is a good start, but what were the readings?
Suppose the valve stem seals could be faulty, thus allowing oil into the combustion chamber. A faulty head gasket might also foul the plugs but you'd probably notice other symptoms first.
Doe the car use much oil/water? Does it overheat or not get up to temp? Have you checked the coolant for traces of oil? Maybe get a garage to do a sniff test on the coolant system.
If you've got the time/skill, it'd be worth taking the head off for a closer look.
Are you SURE that the piston rings are ok? Normally you'd only expect your plugs to be fouled with oil if the rings are on the way out... You say you've done a compression test which is a good start, but what were the readings?
Suppose the valve stem seals could be faulty, thus allowing oil into the combustion chamber. A faulty head gasket might also foul the plugs but you'd probably notice other symptoms first.
Doe the car use much oil/water? Does it overheat or not get up to temp? Have you checked the coolant for traces of oil? Maybe get a garage to do a sniff test on the coolant system.
If you've got the time/skill, it'd be worth taking the head off for a closer look.
Faust66 said:
Hmmm, weird one.
Are you SURE that the piston rings are ok? Normally you'd only expect your plugs to be fouled with oil if the rings are on the way out... You say you've done a compression test which is a good start, but what were the readings?
Suppose the valve stem seals could be faulty, thus allowing oil into the combustion chamber. A faulty head gasket might also foul the plugs but you'd probably notice other symptoms first.
Doe the car use much oil/water? Does it overheat or not get up to temp? Have you checked the coolant for traces of oil? Maybe get a garage to do a sniff test on the coolant system.
If you've got the time/skill, it'd be worth taking the head off for a closer look.
Not saying you are wrong or saying you haven't read the post butAre you SURE that the piston rings are ok? Normally you'd only expect your plugs to be fouled with oil if the rings are on the way out... You say you've done a compression test which is a good start, but what were the readings?
Suppose the valve stem seals could be faulty, thus allowing oil into the combustion chamber. A faulty head gasket might also foul the plugs but you'd probably notice other symptoms first.
Doe the car use much oil/water? Does it overheat or not get up to temp? Have you checked the coolant for traces of oil? Maybe get a garage to do a sniff test on the coolant system.
If you've got the time/skill, it'd be worth taking the head off for a closer look.
How would the oil get from the valve stem to the HT lead
Faust66 said:
Hmmm, weird one.
Are you SURE that the piston rings are ok? Normally you'd only expect your plugs to be fouled with oil if the rings are on the way out... You say you've done a compression test which is a good start, but what were the readings?
Suppose the valve stem seals could be faulty, thus allowing oil into the combustion chamber. A faulty head gasket might also foul the plugs but you'd probably notice other symptoms first.
Doe the car use much oil/water? Does it overheat or not get up to temp? Have you checked the coolant for traces of oil? Maybe get a garage to do a sniff test on the coolant system.
If you've got the time/skill, it'd be worth taking the head off for a closer look.
I am probably about 50% of the way there to having the skill, but haven't ever done it with somebody (I learn better by learning and watching)Are you SURE that the piston rings are ok? Normally you'd only expect your plugs to be fouled with oil if the rings are on the way out... You say you've done a compression test which is a good start, but what were the readings?
Suppose the valve stem seals could be faulty, thus allowing oil into the combustion chamber. A faulty head gasket might also foul the plugs but you'd probably notice other symptoms first.
Doe the car use much oil/water? Does it overheat or not get up to temp? Have you checked the coolant for traces of oil? Maybe get a garage to do a sniff test on the coolant system.
If you've got the time/skill, it'd be worth taking the head off for a closer look.
Compression test was done a few weeks back - I don't remember the numbers now but the ratio was correct and the right PSI with very little varience across the cylinders.
Car does not overhead, gets up to temp perfectly, does not burn any oil.
Nothing oil in the coolant, checked that very carefully and no trace or smell of coolant in the oil.
thinfourth2 said:
Not saying you are wrong or saying you haven't read the post but
How would the oil get from the valve stem to the HT lead
The OP said "Pulled cyl 3 and 4, the whole area is covered in oil where you pull the HT leads out of - I don't think this is blowback from blown piston rings as the compression is fine, and I don't get any blue smoke while driving".How would the oil get from the valve stem to the HT lead
I took that to mean that the plugs themeselves were oiled up - apologies if I've misunderstood... I was up late on the ale last night.
Eggman said:
Looking at this picture:
It'll almost certainly be the rocker cover gasket that's causing the problem. It looks extremely simple to replace - someone's written about doing it here
Ah will give that a look - thanks It'll almost certainly be the rocker cover gasket that's causing the problem. It looks extremely simple to replace - someone's written about doing it here
Doesn't look like too much of a ballache. Best get some gaskets ordered.
Carrot said:
I am probably about 50% of the way there to having the skill, but haven't ever done it with somebody (I learn better by learning and watching)
Compression test was done a few weeks back - I don't remember the numbers now but the ratio was correct and the right PSI with very little varience across the cylinders.
Car does not overhead, gets up to temp perfectly, does not burn any oil.
Nothing oil in the coolant, checked that very carefully and no trace or smell of coolant in the oil.
As others have said, change the rocker gasket and see how you get on (didn't think of that one myself - I must be getting old!).Compression test was done a few weeks back - I don't remember the numbers now but the ratio was correct and the right PSI with very little varience across the cylinders.
Car does not overhead, gets up to temp perfectly, does not burn any oil.
Nothing oil in the coolant, checked that very carefully and no trace or smell of coolant in the oil.
Good luck mate - hope you get it sorted.
almost guaranteed to be cam cover gaskets. I have an omega and they need doing about every 60k miles. I know its a different engine but looks like the same problem.
Some pointers from my Omega experience. probably all apply to your engine as well:
1. Only use genuine vauxhall gaskets. Dont let them sell you the cam cover as well, you just need the rubber gasket, its only a couple of quid. The gaskets you get from a motor factors will NOT be the same quality no matter what they say.
2. Find a guide on the net from someone who knows what they are doing. There may be some sealant required - for my Omega for example its a very specific type from Vauxhall and only needs to be used in one place not the whole gasket
3. Clean your breathers. Again, on the omega blocked breathers cause a pressure increase inside the cam covers and they blow at the weakest point - the gasket.
4. Bolt the cam covers down to the right torque. On the Omega they are plastic and only need to be tightened to a very low torgue. If over tightened they deform slightly and guess what ? the new gaskets start to leak.
Some pointers from my Omega experience. probably all apply to your engine as well:
1. Only use genuine vauxhall gaskets. Dont let them sell you the cam cover as well, you just need the rubber gasket, its only a couple of quid. The gaskets you get from a motor factors will NOT be the same quality no matter what they say.
2. Find a guide on the net from someone who knows what they are doing. There may be some sealant required - for my Omega for example its a very specific type from Vauxhall and only needs to be used in one place not the whole gasket
3. Clean your breathers. Again, on the omega blocked breathers cause a pressure increase inside the cam covers and they blow at the weakest point - the gasket.
4. Bolt the cam covers down to the right torque. On the Omega they are plastic and only need to be tightened to a very low torgue. If over tightened they deform slightly and guess what ? the new gaskets start to leak.
Going through something similar on the Clio. Spilt some oil on the engine, which went down the plug well.
Once the oil is in the wells it's a bugger to get out. Also, it seems to gradually travel down the plug threads causing another miss-fire.
You might need to put the plugs in and out a few times wiping off any excess untill you've cleared it out. Perhaps use old plugs for that bit, and watch the threads.
Once the oil is in the wells it's a bugger to get out. Also, it seems to gradually travel down the plug threads causing another miss-fire.
You might need to put the plugs in and out a few times wiping off any excess untill you've cleared it out. Perhaps use old plugs for that bit, and watch the threads.
bigdods said:
almost guaranteed to be cam cover gaskets. I have an omega and they need doing about every 60k miles. I know its a different engine but looks like the same problem.
3. Clean your breathers. Again, on the omega blocked breathers cause a pressure increase inside the cam covers and they blow at the weakest point - the gasket.
It might be age, but this could also be the reason for lumpy running. I've had spark plug wells half full of oil before, and it hasn't caused bad running. A blocked breather can make the car idle like a bag of old s3. Clean your breathers. Again, on the omega blocked breathers cause a pressure increase inside the cam covers and they blow at the weakest point - the gasket.
t. While you are changing the gaskets probably worth changing the spark plugs (only a few quid each) as being immersed in oil wont have done them any good. Also HT leads tend to break down when immersed in oil, this could cause lumpy running.
If you need to replace the HT leads just get some cheapos from a motor factor, dont fork out silly £'s to vauxhall.
If you need to replace the HT leads just get some cheapos from a motor factor, dont fork out silly £'s to vauxhall.
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