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Oil around spark plug

PostPosted: Fri Sep 07, 2018 8:09 am
by William2
On my engine I have noticed oil around number 1 plug that seems to come up through the plug threads. I don't want to tighten the plug too much and risk stripping the threads. Is this a common problem that happens when the threads get worn and oil weeps through? I can confirm that the oil is not coming from the cam cover gasket and I have even fitted a new spark plug. As an aside, I always apply a smear of Copperslip to the plug threads.

Re: Oil around spark plug

PostPosted: Fri Sep 07, 2018 10:41 am
by Europatc
Have you checked the washer on the plug? Not a lot to go wrong I know but always check the cheap options first

Re: Oil around spark plug

PostPosted: Sat Sep 08, 2018 12:15 am
by rgh0
Oily residue will come up the treads if the plug gasket is not sealing and leaking regardless of the thread condition it is the plug gasket seal that is critical.

The plug needs to be tightened correctly to achieve the needed compression on the plug gasket. This is normally indicated on the plug box as the amount of further tightening once the plug gasket is seated finger tight and equates typically to around 20 ft- lbs of torque (and 1/2 to 2/3 of a turn for the Elan Plugs for new plugs)

http://www.ngk-sparkplugs.jp/english/te ... index.html

Closely inspect the sealing surface on the head to ensure it is not damaged if your getting leakage past a correctly torqued spark plug. A crack in this surface could allow bypassing of the gasket.

I agree you should always use anti-seize ( i prefer Loctite Nickel anti-seize) to help prevent damage to the alloy threads in the head

cheers
Rohan

Re: Oil around spark plug

PostPosted: Sat Sep 08, 2018 8:23 am
by Donels
Rohan,
Interested to see you recommend anti-seize compound. Do you reduce the torque setting to compensate? Typically with anti-seize there is usually a reduced torque required.

Dave

Re: Oil around spark plug

PostPosted: Sun Sep 09, 2018 12:50 am
by rgh0
Donels wrote:Rohan,
Interested to see you recommend anti-seize compound. Do you reduce the torque setting to compensate? Typically with anti-seize there is usually a reduced torque required.

Dave


Hi Dave
I find with a new plug and anti-seize on the threads around 20 ft lbs is required to get the 2/3 rd of a turn compression on the plug gasket. I use the same 20 ft lbs when reinstalling a used plug.

cheers
Rohan

Re: Oil around spark plug

PostPosted: Sun Sep 09, 2018 9:06 am
by William2
Thanks for your advice Rohan. As an aside, I guess a plug washer never seals as well as it does on the first compression seal.

Re: Oil around spark plug

PostPosted: Sun Sep 09, 2018 9:16 am
by promotor
I've had new spark plugs where the sealing gasket/ring has completely broken off the spark plug - this seems to be an indication of fake plugs as I've never seen that before until I bought spark plugs on line from an unverified source.

Check that the gasket/ring is still good.