Spark plug tube seals - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

walt113 · 03-04-2009, 07:36 PM

I have a 1990 Corolla 4AFE - on the way home it started running ROUGH. Got home, checked the plugs - inside the #4 tube was about an inch of oil. I figure I need new tube seals and I am assuming I need to remove the valve cover to do this. I called Auto Zone and they were referring to both seals and grommets in a kit and I do not know what the difference would be. Also I am wondering if my plug wire is shot standing in the oil like it was? Thanks much for any help. Walt

***toyomoho*** · 03-04-2009, 07:43 PM

The tubes are pressed or screwed into the head. There should be some kind of sealant or O-ring between the joint.

The upper part of the tube has a grommet that install in the valve cover.

RobMilkshakes · 03-04-2009, 07:46 PM

Well if they carry what they carry at my store(a local chain outside of Baltimore) which is felpro. For the 4afe the valve cover set has the gasket and the tube seals. in one package.

I had a similar problem in my #1 cylinder. Wire is still fine actually, it wasn't as bad of a problem though

CJCride · 03-04-2009, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walt113

I have a 1990 Corolla 4AFE - on the way home it started running ROUGH. Got home, checked the plugs - inside the #4 tube was about an inch of oil. I figure I need new tube seals and I am assuming I need to remove the valve cover to do this. I called Auto Zone and they were referring to both seals and grommets in a kit and I do not know what the difference would be. Also I am wondering if my plug wire is shot standing in the oil like it was? Thanks much for any help. Walt

Had a 91 & I switched the tube seals they were 4 separate seals.

I used an end piece of ABS pipe to seat the seals in the valve cover, worked perfect.

Wipe the wire boots & connectors nice and clean they should be fine.

Keep us posted.

eage8 · 03-04-2009, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walt113

I have a 1990 Corolla 4AFE - on the way home it started running ROUGH. Got home, checked the plugs - inside the #4 tube was about an inch of oil. I figure I need new tube seals and I am assuming I need to remove the valve cover to do this. I called Auto Zone and they were referring to both seals and grommets in a kit and I do not know what the difference would be. Also I am wondering if my plug wire is shot standing in the oil like it was? Thanks much for any help. Walt

the kit should come with:

4 spark plug tube grommets
3 (I think) gromets for the nuts on the top of the valve cover
1 valve cover gasket that goes around the edges.

you should get all of these for the job, they usually come in a kit.

walt113 · 03-05-2009, 06:05 PM

Thanks for all the help. The valve cover came off easy enough - three of the 4 seals had hardened and come out of the cover and were half way down the tubes. I pressed the new seals in with a large socket and everything went back into place easily. I did have to replace the dist cap/wires anyway - maybe it was just time. Now the car runs great.