Oil leak on top?

LISTER89

MEMBER
2004 HYUNDAI SONATA
2.7L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
224,000 MILES

There is oil pooling on the top of the engine just below the plug wires and I don't know where it is coming from. My first guess is from around the spark plug holes, but it just doesn't make sense to me. Any idea?

Image (Click to make bigger)

Tuesday, October 3rd, 2023 AT 6:14 PM

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,254 POSTS

Hi,

The oil in the pic can be caused by a few things. First, when filling or adding oil to the engine, it is easy to spill it. It can puddle on the top as in the picture.

Next, the valve cover has gaskets that can leak. For the oil to be on top, it may be coming from the spark plug tubes. Remove one spark plug wire at a time and see if they are wet with oil.

Let me know what you find.

Take care,

joe

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Tuesday, October 3rd, 2023 AT 8:27 PM

LISTER89

MEMBER
14 POSTS

I had cleaned off the top specifically to make sure it wasn't just from spilling. And it turns out the left wire was a little broken on top. Not the very top but right inside. Sorry it's not the best picture.

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Wednesday, October 4th, 2023 AT 12:18 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,254 POSTS

Hi,

Is the boot on that spark plug wet with oil? If it is, we need to replace the valve cover gasket.

If it isn't wet, dry everything off the top of the valve cover gasket and drive it. After about 30 miles, see if you can determine where it is coming from.

Let me know.

Joe

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Wednesday, October 4th, 2023 AT 4:56 PM