[eishiba]

I have oil in my 3rd spark plug hole on my 91 corolla 1.6. I'm told I need to replace the seals? What seals? How far into the engine will I have to tear it apart?

 

[kaitaiya]

that's normal. it's the seal that goes to the spark plug tube. best to get a full valve cover set and change everything. change all 4 spark plug tube seals as well as the perimeter gasket.

 

[eishiba]

Are the tubes for the spark plug tubes connected to the section with the camshafts or attached to the section of the engine with the springs and valves?

 

[Blof-fan]

The cylinderhead (The top part of the engine) houses the camshafts, valves, valvesprings ect, ect.

I think you mean to ask is if the spark plug tubes are connected to the cylinderhead (which would be YES) of are they connected to the valvecover? (Which would be no)
There is a gasket running around the valvecover to seal the cylinderhead and valvecover. And there are 4 round gaskets in the valvecover that seal off the gap between the spark plug tubes and the valvecover.

Replace both and you should be alright again

Maybe this picture will clarify some things for you. Both gaskets can been seen here:

 

[eishiba]

So I'm going down to the block right? Will the head gasket be find or should it be replaced also?

 

[kaitaiya]

Youre not going down to the block. Only taking the valve cover off the head. Just get a valve cover set and you should be good.

This is what the valve cover looks like removed.

Should be only 3 nuts on the top(after taking out the plug wires) then pry from a corner.

 

[eishiba]

I assumed I was changing a seal towards the bottom or something. Ill have to check the spark plug whole but I think only the bottom half of the spark plug was covered in oil. Ill check tomorrow but I don't think nothing but the bottom of the boot was caked in oil. Now I'm trying to figure out where the oil is leaking from. Its just been so long since I took apart this specific engine.

 

[90 GP]

Look at figure 5. On the underside of valve cover you can see the seals that need replaced.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/re...epairGuideContent.jsp?pageId=0900c1528006f112

 

[eishiba]

So since the oil is on the bottom half of the spark plug, the oil is collecting at the bottom where the cams sit? I'm just trying to understand where exactly its leaking from. Also, when I order it from Autozone, what are the correct names for these seals and gaskets so that I don't get anything mixed up or come back with the wrong item.

 

[wazari]

Oil on the sparkplug can only be in one of two places. Above the combustion chamber (where sparkplug wires connect to the plug itself) or inside the chamber where the electrode resides. We assume you're talking about the former. In that case oil is leaking from the seal that seals the spark plug tube to the valve cover. If this is the case which most likely it is, from the rubber seals hardening over age, you remove the valve cover. You remove the plastic alternator wire casing (one bolt) and move it aside. Remove the two vacuum hoses from the valve covers and the 3 bolts on top along with their rubber grommet seals. You might have to tap the cover with a mallet or pry it with a screwdriver to loosen it. It's a simple procedure. The hardest part will be removing the sparkplug seals from the cover itself. I have found over the years, the easiest way to remove the hardened seals is to use a large flathead screwdriver from the inside and place the blade in between the cover and seal and pry it towards you. Gently pry in about 4 places and it should pop right out. Do not use pliers or vise grips as it will tear. Use a dowel or socket the diameter of the seal and gently tap in the new seals.

If you buy a valve cover gasket kit, it should include the three grometts, 4 SP seals and the gasket itself. Should be about $25-30 from your local auto parts store. Also apply a small dab of RTV sealant in the 90 degree vertical corners (4) of the mating area on the cylinder head itself.

If you have oil on the electrode of the SP itself, that's a whole another issue dealing with valve guide seals or piston rings.

 

[eishiba]

I honestly think its on the electrode.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...1810597155111.860223.558985110&type=3&theater

In this first picture, its a picture of the boot off spark plug number 3. The top of the boot looks a little coated but the body is fine for the most part.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...1810597155111.860223.558985110&type=3&theater

The second pic is spark plug #3. It may be hard to see but there is in fact oil all over this. The end of my tool is even covered in oil.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...1810597155111.860223.558985110&type=3&theater

In the third pic, its the same spark plug but mainly to show the other end of the spark plug. Its not nearly as coated with oil as the other end.

So would you say its still its above the combustion chamber?

 

[90 GP]

Look at diagram 26 for cylinder head breakdown. You will need 4 spark plug tube gaskets, 4 grommets (on top side of valve cover underneath hold down nuts and a valve cover gasket. That should fix it. The tubes themselves are press fitted into head and I wouldn't mess with them.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/re...epairGuideContent.jsp?pageId=0900c1528006efd0

 

[wazari]

I honestly think its on the electrode.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...1810597155111.860223.558985110&type=3&theater

In this first picture, its a picture of the boot off spark plug number 3. The top of the boot looks a little coated but the body is fine for the most part.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...1810597155111.860223.558985110&type=3&theater

The second pic is spark plug #3. It may be hard to see but there is in fact oil all over this. The end of my tool is even covered in oil.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...1810597155111.860223.558985110&type=3&theater

In the third pic, its the same spark plug but mainly to show the other end of the spark plug. Its not nearly as coated with oil as the other end.

So would you say its still its above the combustion chamber?

Links not working?

Anything on the boot side is the top "half". If the end of your tool is covered in oil, it's the top half. If it was only the combustion side that had oil on it, your spark plug socket would not have any oil on it. Since I cannot see the pictures and you said your socket has oil on it, it would be the valve cover SP seals that need to be replaced. This is very common for a 20 year old car.

 

[eishiba]

Yay here we go. The first pic is the boot. Second is the electrode end of the plug with my tool and third is the other end.

 

[kaitaiya]

being that your first picture has oil on the actual plug boot right at the top, that shows the black ring(in your second picture) that sits right inside the hole where the plug wire goes into is what is leaking.

if your autozone stocks this one it would be the one i'd get because it has everything.

Victor Reinz/Valve Cover Gasket
Part Number: VS50098
Warranty: 1 YR
Notes: Victo-tech, contains valve cover grommets and spark plug tube seals.
Price: $30.99

if not then get this one

Felpro/Valve Cover Gasket
Part Number: VS50324R-1
Alternate Part Number: BVS50324R-1
Warranty: 1 YR
Application: With 4AF engine
Notes: Without grommets, with spark plug tube seals; Permadry molded rubber gasket included.
Price: $25.99

and wouldn't hurt to get this too along with the above.
Felpro/Valve Cover Grommet
Part Number: ES72123
Alternate Part Number: AES72123
Warranty: 1 YR
Application: With 4AF engine
Price: $11.99

 

[eishiba]

Are there any other seals like for each individual spark plug tube that need changed also?

 

[wazari]

The spark plug tube seals are leaking which is causing oil to go into the tube. Everything you need is in the kit that the previous poster mentioned above from Autozone. Read what I wrote previoiusly about the procedure to remove the valve cover and the spark plug tube seals which are tapped into the valve cover itself and can be a slight pain to remove and install.

 

[kaitaiya]

i think the first link that actually shows the take apart procedure should cover it too. the actual seals are the 4 round big pieces. the 3 smaller seals is for the nuts ontop the valve cover.

 

[wazari]

i think the first link that actually shows the take apart procedure should cover it too. the actual seals are the 4 round big pieces. the 3 smaller seals is for the nuts ontop the valve cover.

It does, but has no mention of removing and replacing the SP tube seals which seems to be the OP's problem.

 

[kaitaiya]

actually as i stated in my initial response was to change all the gaskets. i would figure from the pictures and part numbers listed it would be evident what needs to be changed.