Major Problem?

[niallhoran2]

i went to change my plugs 2day and found oil all over the plug leads and plugs

wot happened and how do i fix it?? is it gonna be expensive?

could it be a head gasket?

[niallhoran2]

anybody got any ideas wot it cud be??

[edwardio]

Were the plugs in properly before you took them out? I take you haven't driven it without the oil cap on, so it's prob seal that's gone. Have you noticed the oil level being lower?

[niallhoran2]

yes looks like the sump seal rocker cover gasket and head gasket are all shot!! it was only lyin up for 2 months.what would have done that??

[edwardio]

It could be that they just went, for no real reason. They could've been of poor quality to start with and were weak or the unlikely option, is that you were a bit too heavy footed and put too much starin on the engine. That would mean lots of red lining though!

I'd say they were just weak.

[niallhoran2]

maybe a bit of both i think!!

[niallhoran2]

theres was a smell of petrol off the oil when i changed it

i take it dats bad?????????????????????

[edwardio]

Hard to say. Yes there is the possiblilty that there is a gap letting oil/petrol past, but unless you've noticed that oil consumption has increased I wouldn't worry too much.

All I'd do is call a couple of garages and ask what it might be.

[droptop]

On my Gen 6, I think it's the cam cover gasket leaking oil into the spark plug wells (No. 4 in my case). The bolts along the front (the only accessible ones) were a bit loose (probably 'cos the gasket was compressing) so I tweaked them up a bit, but the others are inaccessible unless the induction box is removed, involving some bolts down by the inlet manifold inside the air intake by the look of it. If I get brave enough, I'll strip it down and replace the gasket - they're only a few quid, but it's not a major problem for the engine as long as it doesn't degrade the plug lead insulation. The gasket would only pass significant oil when the engine's running - it'll drain away to the sump when not running.

If it's the No. 1 plug, could well be careless oil filling, slopping it over the filler neck.