oil around spark plugs - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

texomawaves · 05-21-2010, 01:26 PM

I'm due for spark plugs (60k miles). I'm wondering if that is typically from the seals around the plug inserts, or could the leak be coming from above? I'm seeing this on both sides. No oil drops where I park, but just happen to notice when I had my tires replaced. I'll read my service manual and see if I can handle changing the plugs myself.

Mark_T · 05-21-2010, 02:06 PM

I was showing some seepage around the plugs, too. I changed the tubes and o-rings and that fixed it. I actually could have just changed the o-rings as the tubes were fine.

This is a pretty easy job to do yourself. Have a look at Pedro's guide. The only thing I would add is that the transom plug idea didn't work that well for me as it was too light duty. I used the 1" expandable rubber arbor from my drum sander set and that worked really well.

Lil bastard · 05-21-2010, 02:34 PM

It's likely the O rings, but all 6 at the same time?

It's just as likely that the plugs were not torqued properly the last time they were out or changed.

O rings are cheap, so at 60k mi., I say replace them. Tubes should be on an as needed basis - read cracked. Otherwise they're inert and there's no need to change them.

Cheers!

texomawaves · 05-25-2010, 01:29 PM

Is there any DIY photos or video for changing spark plugs and o-rings? According to the manual I think I can handle it.

Mark_T · 05-25-2010, 01:46 PM

Yes - Pedro has an excellent tutorial with great pics.

I wish Pedro was my next door neighbor. He's probably glad he isn't!

boxster6354 · 05-25-2010, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texomawaves

Is there any DIY photos or video for changing spark plugs and o-rings? According to the manual I think I can handle it.

Pedro's has a good DIY for the plugs and O rings
http://pedrosgarage.com/Site_3/Change_Spark_Plugs_%26_Tubes.html

Image of brake spring tool I used:
http://img3.imageshack.us/i/exhaustspringpuller.jpg/

However when I did mine a few weeks back I could not get the tubes out with his suggestion of the boat plug, what I did do is:

A. Started off with spraying some electrical cleaner around spark plugs to clean off the dirt and oil.
B. Followed procedures to remove plugs but prior to actually pulling the plugs I sprayed compressed air into the tube to make sure I had no dirt or foreign objects in tube area
C. Removed spark plugs
D. When it came time to pull the tubes out I could not get them out with Pedro's suggestion so I used a brake spring pull tool which had a T handle and they came right out.

If I were you and had gone that far I would replace the tubes at the same time as they are fairly cheap.

Mark_T · 05-25-2010, 02:11 PM

Yeah, the transom plug didn't work for me either. Couldn't get enough compression on the plug to pull the tube with that flimsy t-handle.

texomawaves · 05-25-2010, 02:45 PM

Thanks guys! I've decided to tackle it myself. I can't see myself spending $1,300 for plugs and o-rings to have Autoscope do it... or $1,600 for Boardwalk Porsche to do it.

heiwaz · 11-14-2010, 02:43 AM

I've got an oil leak from the spark plug on my car, I need to replace the o-rings, but is needed to replace the spark tubes, too?

boxster6354 · 11-14-2010, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heiwaz

I've got an oil leak from the spark plug on my car, I need to replace the o-rings, but is needed to replace the spark tubes, too?

Not needed....... But

My thought is the following:

1. you have the car up on jacks
2. The tubes will degrade over time
3. Tubes are not that costly of an item
4. To replace the seals you have to pull the tube out

Why not replace them at the same time and give you peace of mind, besides you may find one cracked when doing the job.......