Went to change spark plugs and found oil!!!

[TotalControl]

I went to change my spark plugs a few moments ago in my ST202 and found oil amongst the plugs! Okay... WTF!!! I'm due to go to the Isle of Wight in 3 days and need to know what to do!!?!!

[GreenV8S]

TotalControl said:

I went to change my spark plugs a few moments ago in my ST202 and found oil amongst the plugs! Okay... WTF!!! I'm due to go to the Isle of Wight in 3 days and need to know what to do!!?!!

What do you mean by 'amongst the plugs', and how much oil are you talking about?

[cardwell1978]

hi mate not 100% but i had a mr2 with that problem got the rocker cover gasket changed and that seamed to stop it like. a said not 100% m8.

[Holst]

cardwell1978 said:

hi mate not 100% but i had a mr2 with that problem got the rocker cover gasket changed and that seamed to stop it like. a said not 100% m8.

Ive seen this problem on Honda's as well.
The seal between the rocker cover and the head becomes perished and oil seeps through around the plugs.

It might also be that somebody has spilled oil in there when doing an oil change and was too lazy to clean it up.

If i were you I would give everything a good clean, top your oil up if needed and see if the oil comes back.
As long as its just seeping out and not pouring out then you will be ok to drive it, just keep checking the oil level whenever you can.

[TotalControl]

GreenV8S said:

TotalControl said:

I went to change my spark plugs a few moments ago in my ST202 and found oil amongst the plugs! Okay... WTF!!! I'm due to go to the Isle of Wight in 3 days and need to know what to do!!?!!

What do you mean by 'amongst the plugs', and how much oil are you talking about?

Went to take the plugs out and there was some oil, not much, around the plugs and the rachet when i had a look in it. Rocker cover gasket was my initial thought.

[GreenV8S]

TotalControl said:

Went to take the plugs out and there was some oil, not much, around the plugs and the rachet when i had a look in it. Rocker cover gasket was my initial thought.

I think you're right. No big deal as long as the oil isn't leaking over the exhaust, but worth replacing the gasket when it's convenient. If it is the rocker cover gasket, don't be surprised if it leaks each time you top the oil up. Again no big deal as long as it doesn't dribble over the exhausts. Anything leaking oil over the exhaust is a big since it is a fire hazard.

[TotalControl]

Found oil in the left 2 spark plugs out of the 4. Cleaned them up but cant help to think what the worst case scenario can be whilst driving to the isle of wight. Hopefully all should be ok. Oil levels were fine.

[sniff petrol]

TotalControl said:

Found oil in the left 2 spark plugs out of the 4. Cleaned them up but cant help to think what the worst case scenario can be whilst driving to the isle of wight. Hopefully all should be ok. Oil levels were fine.

A little oil will go a long way and make quite a mess. I had a breather pipe come off on track once and despite it looking a right mess under the bonnet the level had not moved noticeably.

Carry a can of oil and a rag in the car just in case and you should be fine. Keep the revs down if you want to be ultra cautious.