How to Remove Oil from Spark Plug Wells
If you have oil in your spark plug wells, you might be wondering how to get it out. In reality, it’s more important to find the cause of the problem and fix it. This is because oil gets into the compression chamber and is burned. As long as no more oil gets in, the problem is solved.
Oil in spark plugs is a big problem, but you don’t have to disassemble your engine to clean it out. Find the broken component and repair it, and everything should be fine.
However, if you are concerned about excess oil, simply spray carburetor cleaner into the spark plug holes to flush the oil into the combustion chamber. Reinstall the spark plugs and allow the engine to burn off the excess oil.
How to fix the problem: Oil on the spark plugs
Simply removing the excess oil will solve the spark plug fouling temporarily, but unless you find and repair the root cause of the oil leak, you’ll end up repeating the same cleaning job. Here are some possible solutions:
1. Replace any damaged or worn spark plug tube seals and O-rings that allow engine oil into the well. Be sure the new seals are installed correctly.
2. If oil smoke or coolant mixture indicates a head gasket failure, replace the entire gasket set to prevent further compression leaks. This major engine repair restores the seal between the block and cylinder head.
3. For oil-contaminated spark plugs and valvetrain noise, consider replacing worn valve stem seals and guides that have excessive tolerances. This may also require removing some valves and the cylinder head to access.
4. Check for worn pistons, rings and cylinder walls that may be the cause of oil blow-by in the engine, especially in high mileage vehicles. In these cases, an engine overhaul and rebuild may be necessary.
Can I drive with oil on my spark plugs? In other words, yes, you can drive with oil on your spark plugs, but you need to understand how the oil got there. Because having oil on your spark plugs is not normal and could be indicative of a more serious problem. It’s not the oil on the spark plug that’s the problem; it’s how the oil got there that can damage your engine.
Can I clean and reuse my spark plugs? Clean Spark Plugs
Absolutely! Once you’ve completed any repairs necessary to prevent oil backflow, spray the electrodes and threads with carburetor cleaner and let everything dry. Once dry, reinstall the spark plug and you’re good to go.
