Just wanted to ask if anyone in here that owns a 1990-1993 Celica GT 2.2L has the same problem as me. So anyways.. I own a 1990 GT 2.2L with only 96,400 miles on it but I am having problems. piston three is leaking little oil into the spark plug. is this normal? bad head gasket?.. This is actually my first time owning this car model so I have no idea if this is a regular problem or just my own problem. I know that when I bought the car I changed the spark plugs and there was already oil on it.
How long have you owned your 1990 GT 2.2L? Have you ever had the valve cover off?
On engines like your 5S-FE, most of the time, a grommet that seals the spark plug tube at the valve cover is the cause for oil leaking into the tube. The rubber on these grommets gets hard with age, and if the valve cover was removed recently, its highly possible the grommet on cylinder 3 cracked or expanded in the process of removing the valve cover and putting it back on again, and it can no longer hold back oil from getting into the spark plug tube. If you are mechanically inclined, get a valve cover gasket kit for your 5S-FE, to include the valve cover gasket and the 4 spark plug tube grommets, remove your valve cover and these gaskets, replace them and put the valve cover back on. You need to use a little sealant in 4 places on the valve cover gasket, just so you know. Otherwise, take it to a mechanic and they can replace these gaskets.
It's also possible, but far more unlikely, that the spark plug tube is leaking at its base, when it is in the top of the head. That is a bunch harder to fix. I wouldn't try to seal that though, as that is most likely not the problem.
How long have you owned your 1990 GT 2.2L? Have you ever had the valve cover off?
On engines like your 5S-FE, most of the time, a grommet that seals the spark plug tube at the valve cover is the cause for oil leaking into the tube. The rubber on these grommets gets hard with age, and if the valve cover was removed recently, its highly possible the grommet on cylinder 3 cracked or expanded in the process of removing the valve cover and putting it back on again, and it can no longer hold back oil from getting into the spark plug tube. If you are mechanically inclined, get a valve cover gasket kit for your 5S-FE, to include the valve cover gasket and the 4 spark plug tube grommets, remove your valve cover and these gaskets, replace them and put the valve cover back on. You need to use a little sealant in 4 places on the valve cover gasket, just so you know. Otherwise, take it to a mechanic and they can replace these gaskets.
It's also possible, but far more unlikely, that the spark plug tube is leaking at its base, when it is in the top of the head. That is a bunch harder to fix. I wouldn't try to seal that though, as that is most likely not the problem.
I just recently bought this car about 2 months ago. Thanks for giving that tip on changing the spark plug grommets and head gasket/valve cover seal. I know I use to do this all the time when I own previous GS-R's. My mind just became clueless after driving a van for so long..lol
It might be a tad tricky getting the valve cover off. The 5S-FE uses large nuts on the spark plug tube threads to hold down the valve cover. I have no idea what size these are (can anyone help on this?). But you can open the jaws of a pair of arc-joint pliers and put them back on with them, but you can't torque them properly without the right socket to fit those large nuts. When you take off the spark plug wires, you will see the nuts on the outside of the spark plug tubes.
I didn't say anything about changing the head gasket. You certainly don't need to go that far for this fix.
It might be a tad tricky getting the valve cover off. The 5S-FE uses large nuts on the spark plug tube threads to hold down the valve cover. I have no idea what size these are (can anyone help on this?). But you can open the jaws of a pair of arc-joint pliers and put them back on with them, but you can't torque them properly without the right socket to fit those large nuts. When you take off the spark plug wires, you will see the nuts on the outside of the spark plug tubes.
I didn't say anything about changing the head gasket. You certainly don't need to go that far for this fix.
I'll look into it and hopefully they have some valve cover and spark plug gasket @ the local toyota.
Not sure where you live, but if you have an Advance Auto Parts Store nearby, they either have or can get you a kit that contains the valve cover gasket and spark plug tube grommets for $22. Beck/Arnley Part No. 036-1479. Maybe other auto parts places have them as well. From a Toyota dealership, they may be a little more expensive.
yep, my corollas 4afe had the #1 plug drenched in oil when I bought it because of the spark plug tube grommet.
As for the huge nuts on the valve cover, they're the same size as the axle nuts actually... 32mm? I think? its been a while. just ask to rent the axle nut socket kit when you get the gasket, it'll have the right size in there.
Any local chain should carry a gasket kit, from Beck, Felpro, Rol, etc etc.
yep, my corollas 4afe had the #1 plug drenched in oil when I bought it because of the spark plug tube grommet.
As for the huge nuts on the valve cover, they're the same size as the axle nuts actually... 32mm? I think? its been a while. just ask to rent the axle nut socket kit when you get the gasket, it'll have the right size in there.
Any local chain should carry a gasket kit, from Beck, Felpro, Rol, etc etc.
going to go get it at advance or autozone today... hope it will solve that problem
It might be a tad tricky getting the valve cover off. The 5S-FE uses large nuts on the spark plug tube threads to hold down the valve cover. I have no idea what size these are (can anyone help on this?). But you can open the jaws of a pair of arc-joint pliers and put them back on with them, but you can't torque them properly without the right socket to fit those large nuts. When you take off the spark plug wires, you will see the nuts on the outside of the spark plug tubes.
I didn't say anything about changing the head gasket. You certainly don't need to go that far for this fix.
i can't seem to find the screws anywhere to pull of the valve cover. i look all around the head..damn! must be a special secret to pull this thing off or something...
I had to look for a while first too. I sat starring at it thinking "there has to be something.... wait is that a hex head?...duh"
have to say.. it's a bit weird just having them four big nuts to hold down the valve cover also the spark plug seals were a bit cheap compare to what they use on the hondas/acuras. i thought it would be under the valve cover like others. hopefully it will solve the oil leaking problem or else i don't know what to do next..
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1990 Celica GT : oil in spark plug
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