Help. Oil on spark plug threads.

52007 Views 42 Replies 26 Participants Last post by Dylan Stoll, Oct 4, 2019

Ken4

Discussion Starter · Jan 12, 2006 (Edited)

Whenever I remove my sparkplugs, I find oil on the sparkplug threads. Will changing the grommet stop the oil leak? Do I have to remove the valve cover to access the grommets? Mine is '00 camry 2.2L with 92,000km. Comments appreciated. Pic below:

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OMNI

· #2 · Jan 12, 2006

I did it on a 93 v6 simply because I was doing the head gasket and I had to remove the valve cover (it was apart anyways). you are going to need a seal puller as they can be kinda stuck in there, sears has one or harbor freight has a cheaper one. pull out the old one, lube and tap in the new one with the right sized socket. get a haynes manual.

Ken4

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 12, 2006

errr....so does changing the grommet stop the oil leak on the sparkplug threads?

Cyorke

· #4 · Jan 12, 2006

Sometimes it will but in my experience you will most likely have to remove the spark plug tubes and reseal them.
IS oil standing in teh tubes or is it just a slight amount. If oil is standing I can almost gaurantee the tubes need to be removed and resealed. We used to do it on a weekly basis when I worked at the Toyota dealer. The funny thing is I cant remember ever replacing the grommets though.

Ken4

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jan 12, 2006

There is oil only on the sparkplug threads below the crushable washer. I dont see any oil on the hex part of the sparkplug. Does that mean it's the grommet or the sparkplug tube?

Ken4

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jan 12, 2006

After sleeping on this, I think it is unlikely to be the grommet. The grommet is located on the valve cover, right? So its purpose is only to stop oil leak on the top of the valve cover. My oil leak is most likely from the sparkplug tubes. Couldnt find any info about sparkplug tubes from my Haynes Manual. But found info on how to install sparkplug tubes from the Toyota Tech Manual. Funny thing is they dont mention anything about removing the sparkplug tubes first. So I guess I will just use a pipe wrench and yank them out. Toyota Tech Manual says to use 'Adhesive' when reinstalling. What 'Adhesive'? Gasket sealant? Teflon tape?

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Cyorke

· #7 · Jan 12, 2006 (Edited)

I can not rememebr what the name of the stuff is that we used. If I saw it I would know it though. It is a small brown plastic jar with yellow writing on it. I think there is a picture of a gorilla on it or something like that. The lid has an applicator brush attached to it. oh yeah and it smells to high heaven. Like mineral spirits and all kinds of stuff combined.
I will see if I can get ahold of some of the guys I used to work with and get the name of it. It may be hard though since it has been several years since I worked there. You may be able to call your local dealer and see what they use for resealing them also. by the way I found this website with the tool for removing the tubes. http://www.kalyx.com/store/proddeta...0/CategoryID/20500.0/SubCatID/9975.0/file.htm

Or you can use a pipe wrench like you said or a set of curved nose channel locks is waht I used to use.

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atobe

· #8 · Jan 12, 2006

i had a simliar problem with my gen2 the 3sfe i found one of my spark plug swimming in oil when i was checking up on them.. i replaced the valve cover gasket and changed all the gromets and there's no sign of oil of the spark plugs anymore. so i don't know.

Calvin327

· #9 · Jan 12, 2006

Its just that your seals are busted very common for 3rd gen camrys. You will need to pick up all 4 seals, the valve cover gasket itself, 4 new spark plugs, and maybe the wires. Replace all of those and you should be fine. It just happens, I remember it happening to my 94 camry once. Replace it and it was fine.

Digger1

· #10 · Jan 12, 2006

Cyorke said:
I can not rememebr what the name of the stuff is that we used. If I saw it I would know it though. It is a small brown plastic jar with yellow writing on it. I think there is a picture of a gorilla on it or something like that. The lid has an applicator brush attached to it. oh yeah and it smells to high heaven. Like mineral spirits and all kinds of stuff combined.
I will see if I can get ahold of some of the guys I used to work with and get the name of it. It may be hard though since it has been several years since I worked there. You may be able to call your local dealer and see what they use for resealing them also. by the way I found this website with the tool for removing the tubes. http://www.kalyx.com/store/proddetail.cfm/ItemID/111961.0/CategoryID/20500.0/SubCatID/9975.0/file.htm

Or you can use a pipe wrench like you said or a set of curved nose channel locks is waht I used to use.

Chris,

Might you be talking about "Indian Head Gasket Shellac Compound?" This is a Permatex product.

BTW, that Kalyx web site rocks. I even found a cam pulley holder tool on there!

Cyorke

· #11 · Jan 12, 2006

Might you be talking about "Indian Head Gasket Shellac Compound?" This is a Permatex product.

Damn your good. That is it. It has been about 8 years since I used the stuff so I couldnt rememebr for sure what it was. I just did a search on it and found a picture and yes that is it. so much for yellow and a gorilla. So many chemicals and sealants and adhesives in auto repair, it isnt hard to get them confused.

http://www.shop.com/op/~Permatex_INDIAN_HEAD_Gasket_Shellac_Compound,_2_oz_bottle-prod-17016104

Ken4

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jan 12, 2006

Thanks for your replies. I think ThreeBond 1360E or 1360F might work too.

http://www.threebond.co.jp/en/product/series/locking/1300list.html

Mike Gerber

· #13 · Jan 12, 2006

Before doing anything else, why not get a torque wrench and tighten the large 30MM nuts under the spark plug wires to 17 foot lbs. Check again for leaks in about 1000 miles. That stopped the leak on my 94 5SFE engine. It's been about 4 years now and still no leaks.

Mike

Ken4

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jan 13, 2006

I think that was what started the leak, I tightened the sparkplug tube nuts to 33 ft-lbs as per Haynes spec to stop oil leaking on the valve cover gasket. So it must have put extra strain on the sparkplug tube seal and subsequently started leaking.

I managed to find 2 types of thread lock sealant from my neighbourhood store. Which do you think I should use?

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4

Nad1370

· #15 · Jan 13, 2006

You can also use Toyota F.I.P.G. sealant.

Works real well.

There is a special tool that can take the tubes out w/out taking the valve cover off.
Can't remember the part # but a Snap-On truck should carry it.

If no luck...pipe wrench works well.

Cyorke

· #16 · Jan 13, 2006

I dont think I would use either ne of those. They are both more like a thread lock. Used to keep bolts from backing out in places they have to be in place. The stuff we are talking about is more of a sealer that a thread lock. The indian head stuff is a thread lock but acts more of a sealant also. The two you have shown seem to be more of a lock to keep things in place once they are torqued to spec.

As for tightening down the valve cover nuts and it breaking them loose, I dont think that would really cause them to break loose. I have taken those out on several ocassions and it is going to take a lot more than 33ft.lbs to turn them and cause the seal to break.

See if you can find this or something similar to it. This is what we used at the dealer I was working for. http://www.shop.com/op/~Permatex_IND...-prod-17016104

Ken4

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jan 13, 2006

How about this, is this similar? Good for up to 200C.

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Ken4

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jan 13, 2006

I finally decided to use the Red Hardex Thread Lock/Sealant. It looks quite similar to the OEM thread sealant used by Toyota. Here are pics of my DIY job. And I dont see how a proper job can be done with the special SST without removing the valve cover. Just look at how much crap is left behind. I vacuumed up all the crap and used lots of tissue to clean off any remaining oil in the thread area. And of course I used my trusty octane booster (toluene) and a wire brush to clean up the sparkplug tubes. After applying the Hardex and reinserting the tubes back, some of the red stuff will ooze out and threaten to flow into the adjacent valve lifter, so more tissue is used to clean up the ooze. I am waiting 24hrs for the sealant to fully cure before I start her up again.

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gbaoyn

· #19 · Jan 14, 2006

What kind of tool did you use to remove the tube?

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Ken4

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jan 14, 2006

With something like this:

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