Aw, man - spark plug tube seal time?

[Endlessblockades]

I can't think of any other explanation for an oily plug. It had been 3 or 4 years on the plugs and I wanted to swap them because I've experienced an occasional high RPM stumble. I like to smoke the hopium and toss some maintenance parts in before things get serious. Also got it a brand new MAF after cleaning the one it came with for the last 6 years of my ownership. The engine runs absolutely wonderfully now. It's the driver front plug (#2 cylinder) so very easy to access/keep an eye on. Problem with pulling the VC is that I have nowhere to work on it. I did the plugs on the street with city busses flying by every 7 minutes.

 

[tommykoz1998]

spark plugs

aw man....

 

[rdruss]

Drive it somewhere else and do the VCs, they are relatively easy assuming no bolts snap off.

 

[Endlessblockades]

Drive it somewhere else and do the VCs, they are relatively easy assuming no bolts snap off.

Unfortunately, the VCGs were done about 3 years ago..... the bolts should be good. I can drive it like this for a while while I line up a work spot, I suppose. I still have an occasional stumble. I did the timing belt a couple months ago - could that have caused the occasional 'bump' under load? probably not.

 

[phattyduck]

Unfortunately, the VCGs were done about 3 years ago..... the bolts should be good. I can drive it like this for a while while I line up a work spot, I suppose. I still have an occasional stumble. I did the timing belt a couple months ago - could that have caused the occasional 'bump' under load? probably not.

On another front - I still have an occasional stumble. I did the timing belt a couple months ago - could that have caused the occasional 'bump' under load? probably not. I have known I probably need a new transmission for a couple years.....a warning?

Are the two spark plugs with matching clean ceramics (the oily one and middle on the left) matched to the same coil? If so, there may be something to that thought.

-Charlie

 

[2TH4IST]

I think Charlie is onto something regarding the 2 clean ceramic plugs. If they share a coil it could be injectors going out or excessive carbon build up resulting in a little bump in compression causing a lean missfire.

Do the vc gaskets sooner then later, it's a decently quick job, heck, you can do just the one side if your in a pinch.

 

[Endlessblockades]

Thanks both of you. According to a schematic online, they do not share. I will take a look later to confirm. I was pretty careful to place them on the cardboard the way they came out. The injectors are MotorWest & about 1.5 years old. I might have absentmindedly wiped off the insulator

 

[2TH4IST]

Hmm, well that rules out the injectors, there might be a possibility that the coil or wire is arcing through the oil that is in the plug tube.

 

[nissanh]

Before you install valve covers, apply a tiny film of FIPG to the bottom lip (mates the cylinder head) on 3 sides, avoid the top - injector facing side. This makes your gasket to stick to the cylinder head and even if bolt gets loose, you won't see an oil leak.

 

[Endlessblockades]

Before you install valve covers, apply a tiny film of FIPG to the bottom lip (mates the cylinder head) on 3 sides, avoid the top - injector facing side. This makes your gasket to stick to the cylinder head and even if bolt gets loose, you won't see an oil leak.

Good tip, but my valve covers are tight and dry. It's a plug tube seal.

EDIT - sorry, you probably meant before I REINSTALL valve covers!