super_mut

Hey Fellas,

I had a question for you all. I accidently forgot to put my oil cap on after I filled up the engine with some oil (I know, rookie mistake). Is it possible for oil to get into all four of my spark plugs? After I put my oil cap back on I went to check the plugs just in case, each one of the plugs was filled full of oil. I performed routine maintence on the car recently by replacing the gaskets with a valve cover gasket kit. Does anyone have any ideas? Should I be safe and just order some new plugs?

Also, is it normal for a car to smoke lot after oil got into the spark plugs? I'm assuming the oil dropped into the block where the pistons are and some of the oil was burned off during the exhaust process. My car was fine after that.

jlozano180

Usally if there is oil when you pull the spark plugs, the spark plug seals are no good and have to be replaced.

s2kreeper

1) Don't think leaving the cap off would allow oil to get into spark plug chambers. The cap is just there to allow you to fill oil and then cover it so the engine doesn't have a gaping hole for oil to come out of under various circumstances.

2) I'd say you're probably not safe in that if oil got to plugs it's probably installed incorrectly. Ordering new plugs is fine, but honestly you might just be able to clean the old ones off and let them dry over night. Again, I think the plugs are fine, but you have bigger issues if oil is getting into the plug housings.

3) If oil gets into plug chambers, it can probably get into combustion chambers too. Check the gaskets again; but yes the car will smoke if oil gets into the combustion chamber (and thus gets burned).

super_mut

I cleaned everything up and am driving the car with no problems. I will check the plugs later today. Thanks for your help fellas.

How should the spark plug seals sit inside the valve cover. Should it sit like like the left or right.

zeroptzero

Oil can blow upwards if the plugs were loose, a common issue with early S2000's or ones where people did not apply proper torque on replacement plugs - 18 ft lbs - new spec.

As mentioned above the seals can introduce oil into the plug wells. I'd probably do new seals if they are a few years old, plugs can be cleaned if they are still in good shape on the firing end, if they are a bit worn on the firing end and you don't want to go back in there for a few years maybe consider replacing them now. Torque plugs to 18 ft lbs. on install.

super_mut

Yeah, I torqued them down to 13 FT LB. I read that the new service entry was 18 FT LB.

I think it's possible I installed the seals incorrectly also...

Billman250

The one on the left is correct.

The one on the right is also correct, but you need to invert it with your finger first (so it resembles the left) or it is going to get cut and leak.

super_mut

Thanks Billman!