1 out of 4 spark plugs fouled

5244 Views 6 Replies 4 Participants Last post by Ghostyman, Apr 16, 2009

dieseldaddy

Discussion Starter · Apr 15, 2009 (Edited)

Hey, anyone know why only ONE of the 4 plugs would be fouled? I mean REALLY fouled. Its the one closed to the filler cap. (#1?) Taking the plug wire out and it had oil about 1/2 way up the bottom most flange. Doesn't sound right to me...all the others were fine....old but fine

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Oh yeah: 91 Corolla DX wagon EFI (206k miles)

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SCT

· #2 · Apr 15, 2009

You're having a problem I had a year ago with my AE92. It's the valve cover gasket gone bad. Actually, the O-ring gaskets that go around the spark plug holes. More than likely, like mine, the rings are now rock-like and dull. Just change them out. Valve cover gasket kits, auto parts stores should have it.

And the build up oil pool did cause some misfirings for me. To clean up the oil, you can use any oil soak towels or whatever and get what you can. If it goes into the cylinder, it'll simply burn off in a few minutes.

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dieseldaddy

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 15, 2009

Awesome, thanks. I am running to PepBoys at lunch to buy a "Fel-Pro" valve cover gasket set including plug o-rings for $23. Seems that is the one most recommended here...and CHEAP. i like that part too.

I'll put it in this weekend. Sounds like an easy job.

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eage8

· #4 · Apr 15, 2009

SCT said:
You're having a problem I had a year ago with my AE92. It's the valve cover gasket gone bad. Actually, the O-ring gaskets that go around the spark plug holes. More than likely, like mine, the rings are now rock-like and dull. Just change them out. Valve cover gasket kits, auto parts stores should have it.

And the build up oil pool did cause some misfirings for me. To clean up the oil, you can use any oil soak towels or whatever and get what you can. If it goes into the cylinder, it'll simply burn off in a few minutes.

the same thing happened to me a few weeks ago (and my grommets weren't that old

)

you took the oil out the hard way, I just took my spark plug out and it drained into the cylinder

I'm using the same felpro grommets on mine now, hopefully they'll be better than the ones I put on last time...

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SCT

· #5 · Apr 16, 2009

I currently have Felpro as well. Just know how the grommets go on around the spark plug holes. I think mine are on upside-down. But I haven't had a problem since, I don't know.

For some reason the grommets were like rocks. I had to hammer them out using a punch. The actual valve cover perimeter gasket was still somewhat rubber.

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dieseldaddy

Discussion Starter · #6 · Apr 16, 2009

Mission Complete

Done. I hope. Drove around last night and to work this moring with no leaks at all and what I was previously told was "the noise Toyotas make" is gone too. (engine noise, not quite 'pinging' more like quite thumping at idle)

Cover was on there like superglue. Finally broke it loose with small block of wood/hammer and flat blade at 4 corners. Kept thinking there was something else I needed to remove but nope. The original cover gasket LOOKED ok but no way was I going to put that thing back on. New one was only $23US even with the spark plug tube seals. Why risk it?

The only 'real' issue was getting the old plug tube gaskets OUT of the cover. I thought they had been adhered to the cover or something. Had to pop out the centers and then pry (gently) the outer edges off. I got 3 out before I thought to check what side was up...assuming the last person to do this was right...the flat/inset side is UP and the somewhat tapered side is DOWN.

Don't have a torque wrench so I counted the tuns to get the 3 nuts off the top. Other than that, real easy. Took the time to clean crap off the back of the cover while it was off too. No one can see it when installed, but I KNOW ITS CLEAN! hahaha

The only other thing I can suggest to others is to make sure you clean off the crap that was left by the old cover gasket and the grease and grime on the outer edge before putting the new seal back on to eliminate the risk of leaks.

Easy DIY job and now my neighbor thinks I am a mechanic. :lol:
Thanks for your help!

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Ghostyman

· #7 · Apr 16, 2009

SCT said:
I currently have Felpro as well. Just know how the grommets go on around the spark plug holes. I think mine are on upside-down. But I haven't had a problem since, I don't know.

Here's how they should go on:

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