One issue that causes some concern among car owners is the presence of oil in the spark plug well. When this happens, the spark plug ‘O-ring’ becomes faulty and can no longer keep the plug well sealed. There may be engine problems if this problem is not resolved quickly.
Spark plugs are essential when it comes to the ignition of fuel powered vehicles. Similarly, oil, which acts as a lubricant, is essential for the smooth operation of the car's moving parts. In fact, a lack of oil can cause severe friction and engine overheating.
However, there should be no leaks that result in oil seeping through the plug well, as this can impair the vehicle's performance and you should seek immediate advice from a car mechanic during a car service in Reading. There are several causes of oil in the spark plug well, and you can look for some common symptoms and quick fixes to identify them.
Causes of Oil in Spark Plug Well
When your spark plug is in good condition, your car's ignition should work properly and you should have no problems. But what if you discover oil on the bottom of the spark plug? This problem is caused by two distinct systems, the spark plug system and the lubrication system.
Both are beneficial to the engine because the spark plug ignites energy in the combustion chamber, which contains the fuel/air mixture. Oil in the engine, on the other hand, works well for the moving parts, reducing friction between them.
The oil is stored in the oil pan, which can hold six litres of oil. The oil moves with the help of the oil pump, making its way down to the oil filter before reaching other parts.
However, the oil should not get too close to the spark plug or enter the spark plug well, as this can cause serious problems. If this does happen then it is suggested that you search online for full car service near me and request a car mechanic to fix this issue with immediate effect. There are five major reasons why oil is found in spark plug wells, and they are as follows:
Worn Out Valve Cover Gasket -
If you look at the engine of your car, you will notice a metal cover on the engine known as the "valve cover." This seal is intended to prevent leaks from the vehicle's engine. Nonetheless, there are gaskets between the valve cover and the engine, and they tend to fail over time. As the engine temperature rises, this type of failure becomes more pronounced, and the valve cover gasket becomes brittle. As a result, you may soon notice some leaks that allow oil to enter the spark plug well.
Faulty O-Rings -
If you've been handling your spark plugs on a regular basis, you've probably noticed the O-ring seals beneath the spark plug tubes. These seals function effectively as a cover for the spark plug well. Nonetheless, they wear out over time, and if they are damaged, oil can leak into the spark plug well. As a result, immediate action is required to prevent further problems. Please keep in mind that you will also need to replace the current spark plug because the oil will saturate it and render it unsuitable.
Failed Piston Compression Rings -
Piston rings, located above and beneath the piston, prevent oil from entering the car's combustion chambers. These rings also play an important role in removing excess oil from the cylinder walls. They can rarely prevent oil from moving towards your spark plugs with worn-out piston compression rings. In such a case, you would detect the engine oil odour throughout the cabin. Every day, you'd notice blue exhaust from the car.
Faulty Piston -
Aside from a faulty piston ring allowing engine oil to flow into the cylinder and saturate the spark plug, a bad piston can also cause oil to accumulate in the spark plug well. The piston may crack as a result of the excessive heat. A faulty piston can cause engine misfire, excessive oil combustion, and rattling noises while the car is running. You should not ignore such a problem and should resolve it as soon as possible, as doing so will improve the performance of your engine.
Aged Valve Guide Seals -
One task that the valve guides assist with is the intake of air into the car's engine, and they secure the valves during this operation. The valve guide seals are effective, but with frequent use, they may become worn. You may need to replace them at some point during car service near me, as doing so would prevent oil from reaching the spark plug well. If you don't, you might have some serious issues to deal with because oil shouldn't get to the spark plugs.
Symptoms of Oil in the Spark Plug Well
A number of symptoms indicate that there is oil in the spark plug well of your vehicle. With these common signs, you can easily detect such a problem and resolve it before the car develops further issues. When looking for how to remove oil from the spark plug well, these signs come in handy. The following are some of the most common symptoms of oil in spark plug wells:
The Smell of Gas from the Tailpipe -
Have you ever wondered why you keep smelling gas from your car's exhaust pipe? This could indicate that there is oil in the spark plug well of your Toyota Camry. This is true for a variety of other vehicles, and in some cases, the odour penetrates the car cabinet.
Blue Smoke from the Exhaust -
The exhaust pipe may soon begin to emit blue smoke, indicating oil combustion somewhere in the engine. Most of the time, such signs appear when there is oil in the spark plug well. When there is oil on the spark plug, the engine's efficiency and how it burns fuel are affected. As the ECU attempts to tweak the fuel ratio, the fuel supply increases. Despite this, the unburned excess fuel in the combustion chamber would pass through the exhaust valve.
Reduced Engine Performance -
Because the oil in the spark plug well comes into contact with the plug, it reduces spark generation. Remember that this spark is in charge of the ignition in the car. The oil contamination of the spark plug's tip would be detrimental. In essence, the fuel/air mixture would have fewer chances of igniting in the vehicle's combustion chamber. Without proper combustion, there will be insufficient pressure for the engine to function properly.
Engine Misfiring -
Engine misfiring can occur in any of the engine's cylinders due to incomplete fuel/air mixture combustion. With oil in the spark plug well, there is less chance that the plug will generate enough spark to complete the ignition of the gas/air mixture. As a result, you will begin to notice your vehicle's engine misfiring.
Increased Fuel Consumption -
An increase in fuel consumption indicates that oil is interfering with the spark plug. In essence, if you notice an increase in fuel consumption, you should inspect the spark plug to see if there is any oil on it. This sign will instruct you on how to remove the oil from the spark plug well.
Engine Backfiring -
Engine backfiring occurs when the fuel/air mixture combusts outside the engine cylinder's combustion chamber. This symptom appears when there is oil in the spark plug well. It is caused by improper combustion of the fuel particles, which forces them to move to the exhaust.
Conclusion
Spark plugs are required for petrol-powered vehicles because they aid in engine ignition. As a result, in order for the engine to run smoothly, the spark plug must be in good condition. Problems with the spark plug would have a negative impact on the engine, and you might notice that the car starts but does not stay running.
There would be less spark generation for ignition if there was oil in the spark plug well. As a result, it may appear critical to clean the spark plug hole, replace the spark plugs, and replace the O-ring seals. You can read on to learn more about the causes and symptoms for oil on the spark plug.
You must be logged in to post a comment.