Oil in spark plug hole

[kp30]

When I was changing my spark plugs, the first and last holes - (both of the outer hole plugs) had some oil on the coils itself, but not on the tips of the bottom spark plugs. Could this be the head gasket? My car is a 1990 SR5
5 speed with 127,000 miles. Thanks for all your help.

[RED91SR5]

Originally Posted by kp30

When I was changing my spark plugs, the first and last holes - (both of the outer hole plugs) had some oil on the coils itself, but not on the tips of the bottom spark plugs. Could this be the head gasket? My car is a 1990 SR5
5 speed with 127,000 miles. Thanks for all your help.

I just had the same thing on my 91 sedan in the extreme cold here this winter. I believe, but could be wrong, that it's the rubber grommets around the spark plug tubes on the valve cover. I replaced them along with the head gasket and so far no oil into the plug tubes. I'm hoping it's not a cracked spark plug tube or head.

[okotokssteve]

I'm pretty sure it's just the rubber seals on the spark plug tubes. You will need to take the valve cover off to get at them.

[kp30]

Thanks for your quick feedback! On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate this for a DIY. Are these parts available in the local auto store or should I go to toyota dealership and order these parts - 1 piece rubber Valve cover gasket and 4 spark plug well gaskets. Do I need some kind of adhesive to glue it down?

[RED91SR5]

Originally Posted by kp30

Thanks for your quick feedback! On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate this for a DIY. Are these parts available in the local auto store or should I go to toyota dealership and order these parts - 1 piece rubber Valve cover gasket and 4 spark plug well gaskets. Do I need some kind of adhesive to glue it down?

If you can change your oil you can change the valve cover gasket. 1 out of 10 for me.

Should be available at any parts store, and you will need to put a little RTV at five key points before putting on the cover and gasket or it will leak. Check Autozone website for where to put this if you don't have a maintance book to reference.

I forgot to mention that you will have to punch out the old rubber spark plug tube plugs and carefully tap in the new ones without damaging the rubber.

[okotokssteve]

You don't need to get a dealer part for this. Ask for an after market valve cover gasket set. This will give you the grommets and a new value cover gasket. Put some RTV sealent in any sharp curves in the valve cover gasket, usually around the cam shaft ends. The grommets will pop out from the inside if you pry them with a screw driver or better yet, a seal puller.

[freakinbox]

I've fond with most gaskets the dealer is the cheapest. Such as my head gasket, intake gasket, valve cover gasket, and exhaust manifold gasket. The headgasket for instance was $80 - $110 and at the dealer was about $50. Always price around!