Oil leaking into spark plug wells

Tiny
BBARTKOWIAK
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 ACURA INTEGRA
  • 1.8L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 180,000 MILES
I recently checked my spark plugs to find there was oil pooled up in the first 3 tubes (left to right). There was absolutely no oil inside the cylinders, just the spark plug tubes. I've replaced the valve cover gasket and the tube seals but oil is still making it's way into the wells. Both surfaces were clean before the gasket was put on and everything was torqued to spec. Other than taking the head off to replace the headgasket, I am unsure what else to inspect/replace.
Thursday, March 12th, 2015 AT 11:31 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
The head gasket has nothing to do with the valve cover. If you are still getting oil into the tubes, the gasket was installed incorrectly or damaged prior to installation. I hate to say it, but you need to remove it and inspect both the gasket and where it mounts to the cover. Check for things that may be dented, not flat, cut.
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Friday, March 13th, 2015 AT 5:03 AM
Tiny
BBARTKOWIAK
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
So to clarify, the only way oil could make it into the tubes is through the valve cover gasket tube seals?
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Friday, March 13th, 2015 AT 9:43 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Yes. The cylinder head gasket is between the bottom of the head and the engine block and couldn't leak there.
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Friday, March 13th, 2015 AT 10:57 AM

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