Antifreeze in the spark plug tube?

Tiny
IGGY FALSONE
  • MEMBER
  • 2010 NISSAN SENTRA
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 187,000 MILES
I have a miss in number 1 cylinder. Took it apart and found antifreeze in the spark plug tube. There was a lot. Usually find oil in tube. Anyone know why there would be antifreeze in tube?
Saturday, February 27th, 2021 AT 10:02 AM

17 Replies

Tiny
DAVEH429
  • MECHANIC
  • 41 POSTS
Hello.

Sounds like yo may have cylinder head gasket leak ? use the following links and diagrams to check for head gasket leak:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

Hope this helps with your repair. Please keep us updated on your repair outcome and do not hesitate to contact us again for further information or assistance.

Thanks for using 2CarPros.

Dave H
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Saturday, February 27th, 2021 AT 1:39 PM
Tiny
IGGY FALSONE
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Hi Dave. I really don't think it is a head gasket. The It would be hard for antifreeze to get in the spark plug tube or well. There is the valve cover and two overhead cams. There was nothing in the area except oil and antifreeze did not mix with oil. Compression is 160 to 180 and does not overheat.
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Saturday, February 27th, 2021 AT 1:55 PM
Tiny
DAVEH429
  • MECHANIC
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Hello.

Sorry you are quite correct and I Added this to the wrong post, forgive me.

I think you need to check adjoining hose connections and water hoses to electric throttle control actuator. See below diagrams.

Hope this helps with your repair. Please keep us updated on your repair outcome and do not hesitate to contact us again for further information or assistance.

Thanks for using 2CarPros.

Dave. H
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Saturday, February 27th, 2021 AT 2:30 PM
Tiny
DAVEH429
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Sorry.
My computer seems to be really playing up tonight the diagrams should be below this time.
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Saturday, February 27th, 2021 AT 2:33 PM
Tiny
IGGY FALSONE
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That is okay no need to be sorry. Not sure what you want me to check for. The small hose that goes to the side of throttle body has coolant run through it. What do you want me to check?
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Saturday, February 27th, 2021 AT 2:48 PM
Tiny
DAVEH429
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Hello.

Those hoses and connections from the water outlet are the only thing above the coils and spark plug tubes that could possibly at some stage leaked a little coolant causing the pooling down the tube your referring to are there any signs of coolant leaking at some stage? As you have already stated if coolant was leaking all the time you would have a loss of pressure and drop in coolant level and eventually overheating so it cannot possibly be still leaking.

Hope this helps with your repair. Please keep us updated on your repair outcome and do not hesitate to contact us again for further information or assistance.

Thanks for using 2CarPros.

Dave. H
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Sunday, February 28th, 2021 AT 1:40 AM
Tiny
IGGY FALSONE
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Probably will take it to a shop this week. Thanks
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Sunday, February 28th, 2021 AT 5:59 AM
Tiny
DAVEH429
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Hello Mr. Falsone,

You could possibly try a coolant pressure test using the instructions below but this would mean borrowing the tool for your local car repair store or buying the pressure tester ?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/radiator-pressure-test
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8kra65m15c

Hope this helps with your repair. Please keep us updated on your repair outcome and do not hesitate to contact us again for further information or assistance.

Thanks for using 2CarPros.

Dave. H
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Sunday, February 28th, 2021 AT 7:47 AM
Tiny
IGGY FALSONE
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Thanks Dave going to the shop tomorrow. Thanks again.
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Sunday, February 28th, 2021 AT 10:35 AM
Tiny
IGGY FALSONE
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
  • 2010 NISSAN SENTRA
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 187,000 MILES
Have a miss in number one cylinder. Took apart and found coolant in spark plug tube. The last guy that answered did not help. It is not the head gasket. Compression test is 159 to 180. Anyone know why coolant would be in tube and how to fix it?
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Sunday, February 28th, 2021 AT 11:32 AM (Merged)
Tiny
I-SMOGEM
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Hi IGGY.

My initial inclination is that it 'is' a head gasket issue. It appears though that it is 'not' completely blown where it is an obvious simple diagnostic. Cylinder 1, by what you say, has a miss and has coolant in the housing of the ignition plug. The coolant in itself could cause an ignition miss, but where is the coolant coming from??

Compression may still be relatively equal with a small breach in the coolant control of the head gasket. A compression test is just part of the diagnostic process where coolant is being lost without an obvious reason.

The next step is a "leak down test" especially for cylinder number 1. This is the cylinder where you say the issue is, but do all cylinders.

Also:
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/radiator-pressure-test
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

Glenn
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Sunday, February 28th, 2021 AT 11:32 AM (Merged)
Tiny
IGGY FALSONE
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Thanks. I do not have the leak down tester. I am going to take it to a shop. Thanks.
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Sunday, February 28th, 2021 AT 11:32 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVEH429
  • MECHANIC
  • 41 POSTS
Hello Mr Falsone,

Please post back with your diagnosis and repair from the shop as I would be interested to know the fault and repair and it would also help with diagnosis in the future for people who may experience the same fault.

Many thanks,

Dave H
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Monday, March 1st, 2021 AT 4:26 AM
Tiny
IGGY FALSONE
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
I will try. Yesterday I worked on it most of the day. Now it has multiple codes for a misfire. I put all new plugs in just in case and no luck. The coolant leak must be small because did not see any in well. I will take it to the shop and probably have to make an appointment so maybe some time before I answer back.
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Monday, March 1st, 2021 AT 5:13 AM
Tiny
GREG CORBETT
  • MEMBER
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Did you ever get this fixed I have the same issue pls help
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Monday, December 26th, 2022 AT 6:01 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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It was the head gasket; it will be the only problem that can cause coolant to be in the spark plug well.
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Tuesday, December 27th, 2022 AT 12:08 PM

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