Oil in Spark Plug Chamber?

[Jon11582]

I just did my 60k and changed my stocks with IK20s, and I noticed there was oil in the chamber when I went to change my forth plug (its a 4cyl). It was in the chamber furthest from where you pour in the oil.

I think it was old oil because it appeared to have some junk in it. This oil wasnt on the spark side, but the other side, where the spark boot sits and where you would insert the socket to remove it. I soaked up as much as I could with a cloth and a long screwdriver head to push it down. There was some on the threaded side as well, but I think that was residual from what I couldnt soak up when I pulled it out.

Is this normal? How did this happen? I just did an oil change right before I went at the spark plugs, but I dont think that had anything to do with it because the oil looked used and old.

The other three were dry as they should be, but the forth had quite a bit of oil in it. If I had to estimate it, it would probably be just up to the top of the spark plug's "head" (white part)

[Turbosolara]

valve cover gasket leak. you can get that fixed for under $100 i think

[JAYDEE23]

i dont think it is a difficult diy job either if you work on your car

can be done for dollars yourself..

[TadS]

This is exactly the same as something I had happen on my car about 2 years back. It was a bad spark plug tube seal.

[Jon11582]

I was thinking the valves were on the other side (combustion chamber side) so it wasnt the valves.

So bad spark plug tube seal? Is that the gasket on the spark plug or is that something else? Would changing the spark plug (along with its gasket) fix that?

[bronzemaxell]

I was thinking the valves were on the other side (combustion chamber side) so it wasnt the valves.

So bad spark plug tube seal? Is that the gasket on the spark plug or is that something else? Would changing the spark plug (along with its gasket) fix that?

i used to see oil on my spark plug, and what i did was to buy a valve cover gasket, and 4 gromet from dealer's part dept for $30, and open the valve cover, retorque the spark plug tube, it was a little loose, and i was able to turn it by 1/4 to 1/2 of a turn. there is no seal, it is seal by thread, and make sure do not over turn it.

i could have use the old valve gasket, and gromet, but since i am working on that area, i figure $30 is a cheap investment gasket, gromet and would last probably another 60k miles hopefully.

[TadS]

I was thinking the valves were on the other side (combustion chamber side) so it wasnt the valves.

So bad spark plug tube seal? Is that the gasket on the spark plug or is that something else? Would changing the spark plug (along with its gasket) fix that?

Bronzemaxell covered it pretty well.

[Jon11582]

Semi-revival, but whats the official name of the grommets that is acutally causing the oil to leak? Is that the "Spark plug valve stem seal"?

I got the valve cover gasket already, its just the other part im not so sure about. The autozone had a Spark Plug valv stem seal but were OOS so before i go hunting for it, i wanna make sure thats it.