Inline 6, oil in plug wells

todmacher · 04-11-2010, 01:14 PM

Yeah... so I went to change my plugs today and realized there was oil in the plug wells. Does this mean the plugs were too loose or could it be the valve cover seal (which has a slow external leak anyway and I'm replacing next weekend)? Or could it be (god I hope not, because I dont know how to do it) the head gasket?

How difficult of a jobs are the valve cover seal or headgasket for a shadetree mechanic if it ends up being the problem?

Thanks you much for the time!

Boghog · 04-11-2010, 01:56 PM

More than likely it's your valve cover gasket.

Stymees'mont · 04-11-2010, 02:45 PM

Unless your tips of your spark plugs were wet with oil....I would say its you valve cover gasket. When you go get a gasket, ask for a neupren ( Sorry spelling is bad today, but its the rubber like gasket) and dont get the cheap cork style....they will just leak.

todmacher · 04-11-2010, 04:21 PM

How long do you think it would take? To give you an idea of the work I'd done and timeframes... catalytic converter: 2 hours. Shoes, springs, lines, coupler: ~15 hours (I had to diagnose why the lines weren't bleading...), plugs and wires: 30 minutes. The reason I ask is if I want to start on a saturday morning, or if I could do it one evening after work and have it finished by sunset.

Boghog · 04-11-2010, 04:49 PM

Shouldn't take more than a couple of hours including cleanup.

VAMP_77 · 04-11-2010, 06:29 PM

Neoprene ? To change the valve cover gasket? Lots of variables, rusted bolts, ain in the butt old gasket, cell phone, wife, dog,cat,kid,annoying neighbor,parents (ok u get the idea.) yes, i've had all that happen on one of my fairmonts years ago.... but for you, it shouldnt take more then an hour in the best of conditions. (but while yer at it, throw a coat of paint on the valve cover)

~Jim

Poppy · 04-11-2010, 06:52 PM

Hmmm if it were me, it would take more time to have breakfast, and get the motivation up than it would to do the actual job.

I would pull the air cleaner housing, and with a ratchet break all of the bolts free.
Then use my battery operated drill with a bit attachment and a 1/4 in drive adapter, and spin all of those little bolts out with a 1/4 in drive socket.

Replace the gasket, and get the bolts started by hand and spin them in with the drill.
It'll almost take as long to find the right socket as it will to do the job.

So... plugs and wires 30 minutes, it'll be about the same for the gasket.

Jonzo77 · 04-12-2010, 11:26 PM

the only thing that MIGHT slow you down is the throttle cable bracket. i just had my friend with tiny fingers take the nut off the carb after i broke it free... other than that the rest should only tale you 20min. so like 30 min tops

Jonzo77 · 04-22-2010, 07:47 PM

still having the problem?

coolhandmac · 04-27-2010, 08:00 AM

Originally Posted by VAMP_77

Neoprene ? To change the valve cover gasket? Lots of variables, rusted bolts, ain in the butt old gasket, cell phone, wife, dog,cat,kid,annoying neighbor,parents (ok u get the idea.) yes, i've had all that happen on one of my fairmonts years ago.... but for you, it shouldnt take more then an hour in the best of conditions. (but while yer at it, throw a coat of paint on the valve cover)

~Jim

Lol. We must be related.