Getting oil in sparkplug tubes and car smokes at start up

[trost66]

I have a 1996 avalon with v6. Car has 111000 miles on it. I It was a little low on fuild so I add half a quart of oil. Ever since I added oil the car has started to smoke at start up but then clears up. I though for a min I might of put to much oil in it but I double check and it was okay. So I decieded just to change oil and I noticed that there was oil in a few of the sparkplug tubes. I was just wonder what would cause this and how to fix it. Could this cause the smoke at start up. Car didnt smoke at all until I put half quart of oil in it. Just dont understan it. Any help wold be helpfull. Thanks in advance.

[ThisBloodIsFake]

If there is oil in spark plug hole would be caused by bad valve cover gaskets. I had replace them on my Avi. The rear valve cover is a pain because of the engine harness that is routed on top of it. Also the O-ring gaskets that go around the spark tubes are a pain get out and get in without damaging the valve covers. As far as the smoking it could be caused by the gaskets or it could just be a coincidence. When mine were bad they would leak and make a burning smell that would come though my vents when i turned the heat on. Hope this helps just so you know the valve cover gaskets are a pain you have to take the top half of the intake manifold off to get the rear cover off. Just want you to know what your getting into.

[TierOneSupplier]

Here is an excellent thread on how to replace the spark plug tube seals. I used this technique on our '98 Sienna which I believe has the same 1MZ-FE engine as your Avalon. If the seals have never been replaced, or if they were replaced and installed incorrectly, they will leak, allowing oil to seep around the seal and down into the spark plug tube. In my case, I also had oil seeping down the top of the valve cover. I had replaced the spark plug tube seals previously and had done a lousy job of putting the new ones in. It's been 15,000 miles now since I used the technique in the link below, and no leak whatsoever.

DIY: 1MZ V6 spark plug tube seals replacement 1MZFE

Regarding the smoke at start-up, how many miles are on your engine? When was the last time the PCV valve was replaced?

[bjornga]

Thanks for the link. I should have left the old ones in. I was not thinking clearly. Should have looked at EVERY detail of the job before proceeding. Lesson learned.