Oil in spark plug wells (Mk2 MR2 3SGE)

eringobragh

Guys what am I looking at here? was giving the car a service and while checking the spark plugs I noticed wells 1 and 4 had oil in it - 4 having a lot more oil than 1

I cleaned it up and other than the engine being a bit smokey when it was first started presumably because a wee bit of oil got in.

Other than changing the 2 fouled plugs - I assume the issue is with a seal somewhere? I done a 20km run earlier and the wells are still clean. I assume if it was a seal issue it would have breached again

I'd rather fix the issue than forking out on some new iridium plugs

CJhaughey

I'd bet its the camshaft cover seal.
Cheap to replace.
http://www.thegasketshop.net/toyota-3sge-mr2-celica-st182-rocker-cover-gasket.html

Toyotafanboi

valve cover gasket, or in the case of that engine I think it's 4 separate rubber O-rings that you can replace when you lift the cam cover itself. it's a fairly handy diy task and the seals are only a couple of euro each. it's generally a very small weep and would take thousands of miles to fill one of the wells.

eringobragh

CJhaughey wrote: »

I'd bet its the camshaft cover seal.
Cheap to replace.
http://www.thegasketshop.net/toyota-3sge-mr2-celica-st182-rocker-cover-gasket.html

Cheers was reading a few forum posts and most seem to point to that

I'll keep an eye on it for now - 2 of the plugs were slightly fouled so I may change the lot while I'm doing the gasket.

eringobragh

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

valve cover gasket, or in the case of that engine I think it's 4 separate rubber O-rings that you can replace when you lift the cam cover itself. it's a fairly handy diy task and the seals are only a couple of euro each. it's generally a very small weep and would take thousands of miles to fill one of the wells.

sound out that explains it so - theres a fair bit more to move on this engine as theres an ACIS system on top that has to come out as well by looks of things.

eringobragh

CJhaughey wrote: »

I'd bet its the camshaft cover seal.
Cheap to replace.
http://www.thegasketshop.net/toyota-3sge-mr2-celica-st182-rocker-cover-gasket.html

@CJHaughey - are these a good quality product? Looking at the prices from Mr.T on Toyo and it's about €50 + for the seals.

eringobragh

Never mind it won't fit mine apparently the centre gasket is different:

eringobragh

found it actually

http://www.thegasketshop.net/toyota-mr2-celica-st202-carina-e-2-0-3sge-1994-00-rocker-cam-cover-gasket-set.html

same question stands

edit|: never mind I can get the genuine one form tcbparts for same price- genuine = best usually.

eringobragh

Just onto Mr.T just there -

Costs a not so pricey €22 for both gaskets - hopefully these will last 15 years!

Changing out all 4 of the Iridium plugs although keeping the centre 2 as a backup as they weren't fouled - Shame as I only got 25k miles out of them

FYI Part no for 99 Rev 5

11213 GASKET, CYLINDER HEAD COVER
11213-88460

11214 GASKET, CYLINDER HEAD COVER, NO.2
11214-88460

CJhaughey

Why did the plugs foul?
I don't think a small bit of oil in the plug well will cause them to foul like that.

eringobragh

CJhaughey wrote: »

Why did the plugs foul?
I don't think a small bit of oil in the plug well will cause them to foul like that.

Not sure I'm using the right terminology maybe! the ceramic part on the 2 plugs has a small scorch mark on the base - are they ok to reuse?

Have the new ones there but no point in changing yet if those ones are in good nick.

Like this (not my pic!)

CJhaughey

Thats not fouled, thats a corona stain.
Fouling would be the bottom of the plug where it is inside the cylinder.

eringobragh

CJhaughey wrote: »

Thats not fouled, thats a corona stain.
Fouling would be the bottom of the plug where it is inside the cylinder.

Cheers I guess I'll keep those new iridums for another time so