Oil leak around spark plugs

Tiny
AMC16000
  • MEMBER
  • 2010 FORD FIESTA
  • 1.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 100,000 MILES
Hi,

I have an oil leak in my car

It is in the spark plugs area, especially those on left side (driver's side).

I have changed the rocker cover gasket so many times along with using a good sealant (Victor Zeinz), but the problem keeps coming back.

Few days back, I reopened and cleaned very well using appropriate products, like WD40, and I noticed the small hole next to the spark plug hole is full oil (see pictures attached), is it possible that oil is coming through it?

Regards.
Tuesday, November 26th, 2019 AT 5:54 AM

8 Replies

Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

The pictures did not get uploaded, but that should be okay anyways. The main culprit here is going to be the valve cover gasket. The only way that oil could be working it's way around the spark plug would be to have that cylinders combustion chamber be full of oil, which just isn't possible. I would double check the valve cover gasket, especially around the problem spark plug for the valve cover gasket not sealing. Also, especially with a gasket like the valve cover gasket, less is more. You don't have to torque down on the bolts holding it, just get them snug and maybe a 1/4 turn more. If you over torque the bolts holding the valve cover in place you can squish the gasket out of the side and cause a leak that way. Please get back to us with what you find and we can go from there.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Tuesday, November 26th, 2019 AT 6:57 AM
Tiny
AMC16000
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Hi,

Thanks so much for you reply, I appreciate.

Now I was able to upload the pictures I took with my mobile.

As you can see in the left side of the two pictures this is the small hole which full of oil, I tried to dry it but it is always full, should it normally be sealed or someone destroy it without paying attention, because my Fiesta is a second hand and I don't know what happened to it with the previous owner.

Regards.
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Tuesday, November 26th, 2019 AT 8:24 AM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
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Hello again,

Where does the hole lead to and is it threaded or not?

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Wednesday, November 27th, 2019 AT 4:30 PM
Tiny
AMC16000
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Hello,

Thanks for your reply.

The hole is not threaded, and where it does lead I have no idea! What I can see it is always soaked with oil, and you can dry it!

Best regards.
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Thursday, November 28th, 2019 AT 2:46 AM
Tiny
AMC16000
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I made a mistake, I wanted to say "you can not dry it".
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Thursday, November 28th, 2019 AT 2:48 AM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

It looks like a core or freeze plug goes there. I don't have a listing for your vehicle in either of our reference guides, so you are probably outside of the United States, so I can't help you any more, but that is what I'm pretty sure it is. I hope that this helps.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Thursday, November 28th, 2019 AT 5:48 AM
Tiny
AMC16000
  • MEMBER
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Its true I'am outside US, but I appreciate too much your efforts to help me.

Thanks a lot.

Best regards.
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Thursday, November 28th, 2019 AT 5:56 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 43,255 POSTS
Can you crank the engine over to see if it fills while you watch? I have seen spark plugs leak oil out of them between the case and the peroclin.
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Sunday, December 1st, 2019 AT 2:50 PM

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