moist spark plug tubes

[jaykay]

I changed my plugs today and noticed the spark plug tubes were all moist around the periphery. There was no leak but they were damp with oil residue.

Change them all or just observe and monitor and only change if it worsens..? I didnt have the tubes on hand for the change obviously

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by jaykay

I changed my plugs today and noticed the spark plug tubes were all moist around the periphery. There was no leak but they were damp with oil residue.

Change them all or just observe and monitor and only change if it worsens..? I didnt have the tubes on hand for the change obviously

If the tubes are not cracked, all you need is the orings that go on both ends and you are in business, couple of bucks at the most................ You may want to visit a boat yard and find one of these for about $5:


They are called "one inch (2.54 cm) transom drain plugs". Put in a stuck spark plug tube, tighten the wing nut, give it a tug and the most stubborn plug tube pops right out.........

[jaykay]

...yep that looks like a tube puller if I ever saw one

thanks..

just wondering if I really need to go back in do this or can I wait until there is something significant..

[edevlin]

I got my tube puller as shown at walmart. Just be sure you get all oil off the inside of the tubes so the puller can get a good grip. A few tubes came out easy, most I really had to give them a good pull with a chunk of heavy cord on the puller in my 2000 base with 90K (first time replaced).

Ed

[ppbon]

Originally Posted by jaykay

...yep that looks like a tube puller if I ever saw one

thanks..

just wondering if I really need to go back in do this or can I wait until there is something significant..

You can probably wait.
It's not an urgent issue, unless you see liquid oil oozing from behind the coils.
Most of the time it's just a bad O-ring,
When you decide to replace them, here are my instructions:
http://www.pedrosgarage.com/Site_3/Change_Spark_Plugs_%26_Tubes.html

Happy Boxstering,
Pedro

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by jaykay

...yep that looks like a tube puller if I ever saw one

thanks..

just wondering if I really need to go back in do this or can I wait until there is something significant..

You can probably wait, we see a lot with very little seepage that we leave alone unless the owner wants to have them done.

[Oaktown 986]

I'm curious; i have seepage too, however it seems to have increased in the amount. It's not enough to start coming out to the side of the engine block, however. Should I wait until I have some of my more important projects done? (O2 sensors, new top, starter)

Jon

[gschotland]

I was surprised how easy it was to swap out the tubes using the little boat plug (puller) I picked up on fleaBay for a few bucks and Pedro's directions. The set of tubes with inner & outer o-rings ran about $50 total. Just do it.

[Oaktown 986]

Originally Posted by gschotland

I was surprised how easy it was to swap out the tubes using the little boat plug (puller) I picked up on fleaBay for a few bucks and Pedro's directions. The set of tubes with inner & outer o-rings ran about $50 total. Just do it.

good call. price is right.

[jaykay]

Thanks all you guys are great......won't be able to drive as winter is on it way soon but I will be able talk about it with some good people here....

[bugman]

Hello Guys:

Just like to add, have done the 'O' ring change on my 98 2.7 which was getting extremely grimy at the back end following a 2000km trip across France and Spain.

Should have done this before the journey - now clean as a whistle.

Used the boat plug as suggested, much cheaper than an internal bearing puller, plus easier to use in restricted space!

bugman