Clearing oil from spark plug wells, but no compressed air

[StevieT735]

As above, I’ve got oily pools in my cylinder head, possibly leaking from above, but filling the plug wells.
I’d use some degreaser and blow them out with compressed air but I don’t have a compressor and don’t have the space to get one either…
Any ideas?

[Jazoli]

Just fill the wells with degreaser or brake cleaner then twist some shop paper/blue roll and push it down into the wells to soak up the oil, which it will, then put fresh twists in, it'll shift 95% of it.

[Novexx]

Tape a bit of narrow diameter hose onto the end of a wet-ndry vac hose & hoover it all out.

[paintman]

^^^But don't get caught by the wife!

[Belle427]

Got to be honest I’ve always just removed the plugs and let it drain into the cylinders if it’s not a huge amount, I give it a toot of carb cleaner down each well to help
Runs a little rough for a second or two once started but no problems to speak of.
You can buy a small handy extraction pump for jobs like this, very useful.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-FHP-1L-23242-Multi...

Edited by Belle427 on Saturday 26th February 07:00

[E-bmw]

I have always just let it run in, then will all plugs out & a towel over the top of the engine, if you spin the engine over most of it will blow out. What doesn't blow out will generate a small amount of smoke on start up, no problem.

[steveo3002]

bit of solvent based carb cleaner ...NOT WATER BASED DE GREASER

if theres alot then stuff some blue towel in the plug hole before hand to soak up the worst

[DVandrews]

Long medical cotton buds(1001 uses.. now 1002) , sop it up gradually, wipe the bud clean after each dip. I wouldnt let it drain down through the plug holes, who knows what other detritus/grit might be in the mix waiting to score your bores.

Dave

[tapkaJohnD]

All that trouble, even tickling it with cotton buds, for goodness sake, when the problem is the leak from above!

Oil in the plug wells will only attract dirt, which can be cleaned away later. Tackle the oil leak!!