Oil in Spark Plug Wells

RBK-VT · #1 (**permalink**) 06-28-2008, 08:01 AM

Curious what would cause oil to collect in the spark plug wells, and where it might be seeping from. Every couple of hundred miles it will collect as shown in photo. It seems to diminish in volume from front to back.

Thanks.
RB

**Tifosi** · #2 (**permalink**) 06-28-2008, 08:17 AM

Oil in spark plug wells usually = leak in cam cover gasket. (or a really crap seal on the oil fill cap)

Look closely and you'll see faint traces coming from the source to the wells.

Barring that, clean everything up as best you can and make sure it's completely dry, then lightly dust the upper surface of the head with talc.

It'll show the wet where the leak is originating.

ghnl · #3 (**permalink**) 06-28-2008, 10:41 AM

I was able to find the source of stray oil in the top of the head using a piece of white paper. With the engine running, I held the paper near any suspect areas. There was a fine oil mist from an inner edge of the cam cover. I couldn't see it with the naked eye but it showed up easily as it hit the white paper.

RBK-VT · #4 (**permalink**) 06-28-2008, 02:33 PM

Good suggestions, thanks.
RBK

John Gallagher · #5 (**permalink**) 06-28-2008, 08:34 PM

The VVT was the source of mine.