Oil in Spark Plug Wells

gaitski · 03-15-2011, 12:52 AM

So I've got a ton of oil in my spark plug wells, enough to submerge all 6 of my plugs. I've researched around this and other forums and think I've got it; I'm replacing my valve cover gaskets and No. 3 cylinder head cover bolts with new gaskets, which seems to cover both possibilities of where the oil's coming up from.

My question is about the No. 3 cylinder head cover. Is that just the plate that's running down between the two valve covers? If that's what it is, mine is in rough shape as you can see from the photo It's been flaking off and getting everywhere.

I got the info about the No. 3 head cover and bolts from this post, can anyone tell me if I'm on the right track or forgetting something major? This is really my first venture into engine work. Thanks much!

Couldn't get the photo to embed, so here's a link if anyone's interested: http://flickr.com/gp/25598754@N00/LGGe58

907mge · 03-15-2011, 01:39 AM

Yes you are on the right track. You can do away with the No. 3 cover if you wish and use some sort of sealer on the treads that is compatable with oil to seal the allen head plugs. Also if you didn't see it already:

http://www.toyota-supra.info/forums/...ng-in-oil.html

Sonyps307 · 03-15-2011, 01:39 AM

The cover in the middle is just for looks. When my motor was rebuild Mine was flaKing to so They just left it off.

gaitski · 03-15-2011, 02:26 AM

Thanks for the quick replies guys, one more quick question; are the gaskets connecting the air intake > throttle body > y-pipe re-usable, or do I need to replace them?

907mge · 03-15-2011, 02:27 AM

No they are not reusable.

cre · 03-15-2011, 02:59 AM

The #3 cover is NOT for looks! New, it's a rubber coated gasket with a steel core, as it ages the plastic hardens and cracks. It is there as a backup against the valve cover seals leaking oil to prevent it from draining down there. It's also there to keep out debris (fine dirt and sand) from getting in where you cannot reach it to clean it out when you go to pull the spark plugs... sand and other grit in the cylinder is.... anyone? anyone?..... BAD!

Jebus... the shit people decide is "just there for looks" is amazing... the whole engine bay looks like a cluttered disaster and you think they're worried about a galley which you can't see unless the ENTIRE intake has been removed? Are you f@#$ing serious?

Oh, and the #3 IS the gasket for those 4 plugs.

The gasket for the throttle body (the factory one) is a multilayer steel gasket and you bet your tooshy it's reusable. The paper ones may be reused, but I recommend a very light spray gasket dressing if you're intent on reusing them.

That's it. I quit. Have fun misleading each other... Here's one more good one about the #3 which hasn't been mentioned: "It's useless and you'll get some weight reduction from removing it." HAH!!! That's an old favorite.

<walks off grumbling and looking for that damned bottle of xanax>

gaitski · 03-15-2011, 04:40 AM

Thanks Cre, so you'd recommend replacing the #3 itself and not worrying about individual gaskets for the four 14mm bolts?

cre · 03-15-2011, 05:27 AM

Show me where in Toyota's parts catalog they list individual gaskets for those bolts please, because I've been missing it...

Here's the page:
http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/Librar...spx?F=1104&P=1

Do whatever you like, just do it with an understanding as to why or why not you are really doing it.

gaitski · 03-15-2011, 01:36 PM

Yeah, I want to understand what I'm doing as well. You're right, I wouldn't expect to find the individual bolt gaskets in the Toyota catalog. I read on the post that I linked in my first post that the #3 cover has a built in gasket that seemed (to that guy) to be a bad design. He recommended bringing one of those 14mm bolts in to the parts shop and matching it up with an oil plug gasket since that's where the oil is coming up from.

I appreciate your responses, I'm definitely new to this and would like to get different opinions. Thanks again!

907mge · 03-15-2011, 10:08 PM

The only thing on them for a gasket is a crush washer like the type used for an oil drain plug. If you use the use some sort of liquid gasket on the threads before you reinstall them they won't leak anymore. But as for the need of the cover, I don't understand why cre would get so upset. I don't use mine anymore so I can see if any of the plugs do start to leak again. But the cover does not stop oil or coolant from still getting in the valley and besides there is nothing that the cover covers that is that important. Also what debris is going to get in there anyway unless you are driving offroad with the hood off.

03-15-2011, 12:52 AM	#1
gaitski Stock Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Moscow, ID Posts: 14	Oil in Spark Plug Wells So I've got a ton of oil in my spark plug wells, enough to submerge all 6 of my plugs. I've researched around this and other forums and think I've got it; I'm replacing my valve cover gaskets and No. 3 cylinder head cover bolts with new gaskets, which seems to cover both possibilities of where the oil's coming up from. My question is about the No. 3 cylinder head cover. Is that just the plate that's running down between the two valve covers? If that's what it is, mine is in rough shape as you can see from the photo It's been flaking off and getting everywhere. I got the info about the No. 3 head cover and bolts from this post, can anyone tell me if I'm on the right track or forgetting something major? This is really my first venture into engine work. Thanks much! Couldn't get the photo to embed, so here's a link if anyone's interested: http://flickr.com/gp/25598754@N00/LGGe58

03-15-2011, 02:59 AM	#6
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	The #3 cover is NOT for looks! New, it's a rubber coated gasket with a steel core, as it ages the plastic hardens and cracks. It is there as a backup against the valve cover seals leaking oil to prevent it from draining down there. It's also there to keep out debris (fine dirt and sand) from getting in where you cannot reach it to clean it out when you go to pull the spark plugs... sand and other grit in the cylinder is.... anyone? anyone?..... BAD! Jebus... the shit people decide is "just there for looks" is amazing... the whole engine bay looks like a cluttered disaster and you think they're worried about a galley which you can't see unless the ENTIRE intake has been removed? Are you f@#$ing serious? Oh, and the #3 IS the gasket for those 4 plugs. The gasket for the throttle body (the factory one) is a multilayer steel gasket and you bet your tooshy it's reusable. The paper ones may be reused, but I recommend a very light spray gasket dressing if you're intent on reusing them. That's it. I quit. Have fun misleading each other... Here's one more good one about the #3 which hasn't been mentioned: "It's useless and you'll get some weight reduction from removing it." HAH!!! That's an old favorite. <walks off grumbling and looking for that damned bottle of xanax> __________________ If something breaks or you need to contact a member of the administration please post HERE. Unless it's a private or administration matter please post it on the forum. It benefits no one else if car related questions aren't posted for future users and takes away from the time I'm able to spend helping on the rest of the forum. If you're so inclined I'm always more than happy to accept tips via PayPal. Tip Jar --->

03-15-2011, 05:27 AM	#8
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	Show me where in Toyota's parts catalog they list individual gaskets for those bolts please, because I've been missing it... Here's the page: http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/Librar...spx?F=1104&P=1 Do whatever you like, just do it with an understanding as to why or why not you are really doing it. __________________ If something breaks or you need to contact a member of the administration please post HERE. Unless it's a private or administration matter please post it on the forum. It benefits no one else if car related questions aren't posted for future users and takes away from the time I'm able to spend helping on the rest of the forum. If you're so inclined I'm always more than happy to accept tips via PayPal. Tip Jar --->

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03-15-2011, 01:39 AM	#2
907mge 20psi boost Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Harrisburg Posts: 759	Yes you are on the right track. You can do away with the No. 3 cover if you wish and use some sort of sealer on the treads that is compatable with oil to seal the allen head plugs. Also if you didn't see it already: http://www.toyota-supra.info/forums/...ng-in-oil.html

03-15-2011, 01:39 AM	#3
Sonyps307 Lexus & 550's Join Date: May 2010 Location: Baltimore Posts: 526	The cover in the middle is just for looks. When my motor was rebuild Mine was flaKing to so They just left it off.

03-15-2011, 02:26 AM	#4
gaitski Stock Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Moscow, ID Posts: 14	Thanks for the quick replies guys, one more quick question; are the gaskets connecting the air intake > throttle body > y-pipe re-usable, or do I need to replace them?

03-15-2011, 02:27 AM	#5
907mge 20psi boost Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Harrisburg Posts: 759	No they are not reusable.

03-15-2011, 04:40 AM	#7
gaitski Stock Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Moscow, ID Posts: 14	Thanks Cre, so you'd recommend replacing the #3 itself and not worrying about individual gaskets for the four 14mm bolts?

03-15-2011, 01:36 PM	#9
gaitski Stock Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Moscow, ID Posts: 14	Yeah, I want to understand what I'm doing as well. You're right, I wouldn't expect to find the individual bolt gaskets in the Toyota catalog. I read on the post that I linked in my first post that the #3 cover has a built in gasket that seemed (to that guy) to be a bad design. He recommended bringing one of those 14mm bolts in to the parts shop and matching it up with an oil plug gasket since that's where the oil is coming up from. I appreciate your responses, I'm definitely new to this and would like to get different opinions. Thanks again!

03-15-2011, 10:08 PM	#10
907mge 20psi boost Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Harrisburg Posts: 759	The only thing on them for a gasket is a crush washer like the type used for an oil drain plug. If you use the use some sort of liquid gasket on the threads before you reinstall them they won't leak anymore. But as for the need of the cover, I don't understand why cre would get so upset. I don't use mine anymore so I can see if any of the plugs do start to leak again. But the cover does not stop oil or coolant from still getting in the valley and besides there is nothing that the cover covers that is that important. Also what debris is going to get in there anyway unless you are driving offroad with the hood off.