Author Topic: Oil on my plugs  (Read 1025 times)

Offline dragonfly

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Oil on my plugs
« on: 18 January 2010, 09:26 »
Just when I thought all was well...... my mk2 16v won't start.  Extracted the plugs and 3 out of the 4 are coated in oil. Cleaned them up and put them back in. Tried starting it and it was turning over but nothing.  Took out one of the plugs and again it's coated with oil.

Am I right in assuming it's the cam cover gasket that's shot?  :huh:

It was running fine just over a week ago.

Offline jezza16v

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Re: Oil on my plugs
« Reply #1 on: 18 January 2010, 11:55 »
A leaky cam cover will not let oil into the cylinders. Presuming you mean the sparky end bit of the plugs is getting wet, you sure its not wet with petrol, can look like oil when the plugs are black with carbon? The only way oil is going to get on the plug ends is if its getting past the rings or past the valve stem seals. If its been sitting in the rain/snow for a week then the dizzy, coil, ht leads and even inside the dizzy cap etc may be very damp. Take the dizzy cap off and give every thing a good spray over with WD40. Check you are getting a spark (or not) at the plugs first. Sounds like three plugs aren't firing hence getting wet with fuel.......Now you'll say its been garaged all the time......... :laugh:
If its the outside of the plug (above the thread) thats wet with 'oil' then it may well be the camcover gasket leaking into the plug wells, but that wouldn't necessarily prevent the car from starting unless the wells were really flooded. Check that the breathers are all clear, if blocked they can force the camcover gasket to leak or push oil out of the dipstick..........

Offline rubjonny

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Re: Oil on my plugs
« Reply #2 on: 18 January 2010, 12:05 »
id go with cam cover gasket, common fault. if plugs were drowned in oil it can degrade the leads, and 16vs are fussy about them. luckily about £40 will get you a new set o leads from the usual VAG parts suppliers, id do the gasket, leads, plugs, dizzy cap and arm all at the same time.

drop the guys at veew services a bell:
http://www.vwsonline.co.uk/car_parts_bristol/
Hello my name is John and I'm a dub addict.

VeeDubGTI16v

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Re: Oil on my plugs
« Reply #3 on: 18 January 2010, 12:06 »
there is a seal (part of rocker cover set) that goes around the spark plug holes under the rocker cover, might be worth looking at that?

Offline dragonfly

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Re: Oil on my plugs
« Reply #4 on: 18 January 2010, 13:15 »
Guys - what can I say other than thanks for the replies - much appreciated.  I hoping it's the cover gasket as I have read and as mentioned earlier, it's a common fault.

It's definitely oil on the plug tips.

The car was already booked in for a MOT, cam cover gasket (I have a slight leak in a corner) and dizzy seal (again slight oil leak). Cars going in on Wednesday - fingers crossed all goes well!

Got road tax due as well - looks like an expensive month!

Offline DOA

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Re: Oil on my plugs
« Reply #5 on: 18 January 2010, 18:35 »
If oils getting to the plug tips and you cant see any oil in the spark plug holes in the cam cover it isnt likely to be the gasket thats at fault. Stick your finger (or a bit of rolled up paper if thats not long enough) down the spark plug holes while one of the offending plugs is out to test this. If its in the cylinders you have bigger problems somewhere and its time to ask your garage if they have an endoscope to have a look in the cylinder or to do some further checks.

Offline dragonfly

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Re: Oil on my plugs
« Reply #6 on: 22 January 2010, 20:14 »
All sorted!!  The starting problem ended up being a split vacuum pipe near the bottom of the airbox. Gasket was replaced along with new plugs, oil, filter and fuel filter. Passed it's MOT as well!  :smiley: