Hey guys please help. When changing my plugs the other day, plugs #3,4, and 5 were wet with oil. Not a whole lot, but enough to matter.

My question is: Do you think it's time for me to replace a gasket?

And if so, is it "The Head Gasket" or is it just a "head cover" gasket?

I can see some of the wrinkled up gasket around the inside edges of the spark plug holes. I'm hoping it is something I can do myself, seeing how our valve/head cover seems simple enough to get off. It seems as though I'd merely have to go buy a gasket/seal and coat it with proper lubricant, then replace, and put the cover back on.

Is this a dream? Is it more involved than this? Am I going to have to have a "Head gasket" replaced, which i'm hearing is like $600-$800 ?

Someone please help.

 

where was the oil located on the plugs?
pics?

 

It's on the threads of the plug, and up above the threads a little. The last plug especially.

When I pulled the plugs out, especially the last two (#4 & #5) they were dripping oil. I'll get some pics when I get home today. It was basically just like a spoonful of oil at the bottom of the hole where the spark plugs are seated. Like I said I'll have pics up later. aprox around 4:20 pm today. ( I get home at 4)

 

sounds like roacker cover gaskets and spark plug tube seals ..no biggie..

 

Spark plug tube seals sounds like exactly what it would be.
I've never heard of this term or I would have asked about it already.

I'm sure you'll be able to confirm this when I post pictures.
If it is either the rocker cover gasket, or the plug tube seals, is that something that should be fairly easy for me to do?

Just remove cover, replace gasket, replace cover?

 

yup. just ensure that all mating surfaces to the gaskets are clean and free of oil.Also use a small dab of RTV sealant on all corners

 

It is very well a possibility that there is oil leaking through the spark plug gaskets. However, you may want to try to look inside the spark plug holes with a light and look at the top of the pistons. If they are coated in oil it's very likely that you have a bad oil control ring on the pistons.

 

I appreciate all the help.

I didn't take my spark plugs back out yet to see if oil is on the pistons.
But when I pulled my wires the other day to take these pictures, my plugs tubes were dry of oil. So if it is a plug tube seal , it may be a very very slow leak.

Here's all the pictures I took of the plug tubes, and best shots of the wrinkled seal that I could get. You'll see a little oil inside the edge of the plug tube, that's just where it dripped off the old plugs as I pulled them out, I do believe. You'll also notice a few rust spots inside the plug tubes. Please give any feedback or advice you may have, especially after looking at the pics. I think I may just have to go buy a gasket set, and replace what I can, I know the plug tube seal should be fairly easy.








and here is what the old plugs (#'s 4 & 5 plugs) looked like:



But it's running fine right now, especially with the new plugs, wires, and grounding kit.

I just need to know should I go ahead and replace my seal before I ruin my new plugs, or wires.