Noticed something odd while changing spark plugs
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,426
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From: Liberal KS
Noticed something odd while changing spark plugs
While I was changing plugs I noticed that directly under the area where the spark plug hole is there is a small somewhat dried-up trail of oil. It's on the passenger's side closest to the front of the car.
I have been eating up oil for a while now and it only seems to be worsened when I really stomp on the gas a lot. If I cruise around town without stomping on it, I lose hardly any oil at all.
Is it possible that this is where my oil eating problem is? Could oil leak from this area if the spark plug wasn't tightened properly?
I have been eating up oil for a while now and it only seems to be worsened when I really stomp on the gas a lot. If I cruise around town without stomping on it, I lose hardly any oil at all.
Is it possible that this is where my oil eating problem is? Could oil leak from this area if the spark plug wasn't tightened properly?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 958
Likes: 1
From: SF Bay area, CA USA
Re: Noticed something odd while changing spark plugs (383 Stroker)
The oil is probably from valve cover gasket leak.
Do a compression test wet and dry to see if rings may be a possible cause of your oil consumption. Does the car smoke on start up after sitting overnight? Bad valve seals or guides can be the cause of that.
Do a compression test wet and dry to see if rings may be a possible cause of your oil consumption. Does the car smoke on start up after sitting overnight? Bad valve seals or guides can be the cause of that.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,426
Likes: 0
From: Liberal KS
Re: Noticed something odd while changing spark plugs (weekendwrench)
Yep, I had my mechanic from Atlanta check the valve seals and he said they were bad and replaced them. Still eats oil after all that. He did compression testing as well and said it was satisfactory. The theory about the valve cover gaskets seems plausible but there isn't any leak down from that area. If it were coming from the valve cover seals wouldn't the oil trail be above and below the spark plug, not just below?
I've been fed up lately with the way she runs and I'm planning to send her out to Speed Works in TX to drop the engine, drop the compression ratio, slap on a ProCharger S/C, and everything else that will make her run the way she was meant to run without all the headaches.
[Modified by 383 Stroker, 12:25 AM 8/11/2003]
I've been fed up lately with the way she runs and I'm planning to send her out to Speed Works in TX to drop the engine, drop the compression ratio, slap on a ProCharger S/C, and everything else that will make her run the way she was meant to run without all the headaches.
[Modified by 383 Stroker, 12:25 AM 8/11/2003]
