Oil in plug bores

[campbell]

Changed the plugs tonight. Popped off the plug leads to discover tangible quantities of oil clinging to the plug socket and plugs themselves upon removal

Cleaned up the plug leads, mopped out the oil and fitted the new plugs. Turned her over and running OK although well smoky as you'd imagine from loadsa oil running straight down into the cylinders!

Question is...what has failed? Cam cover gasket? Presumably can't be anything nearer the engine or I'd have other things to worry about.

And if I'm right...what's the replacement procedure like? ie can a mechanical novice like me tackle it (in time for o5o7o9 as well!!!).

Off out for a shakedown run now. Update shortly

Campbell

[robin]

Hi Campbell,

If you have oil in more than one spark plug well chances are that the cam cover gasket is the culprit. However, you cannot rule out it being the cam ladder to cylinder head seal. Though I know when we put it together I didn't scrimp on the sealant so I would be surprised if it had developed a leak into all four spark plug bores.

Remove the cam cover - about 20 M5 bolts (8mm socket size, IIRC) ringed around the edge of the cam cover (The thing that the oil filler cap comes out of).

Check the gasket is in the right way up (it's labelled). Probably just replace it anyway - I'm sure to have one sitting around at home.

Cheers,
Robin

[tut]

"ringed around the edge of the cam cover (The thing that the oil filler cap comes out of)."

Classic

tut

[campbell]

Tut this is me he is dealing with, he needs to be precise

Many thanks Robin, will *maybe* get a look at this tonight, so you may get a call re: parts supply...though I will also try Pentland I think as I'll be at the office today which is nearby anyway.

[Peter]

Campbell, am happy to come over and help you 'spanner' tonight if that helps..

Cheers, Peter

[Peter]

PS have torque wrenches etc if that helps

[campbell]

Well as ever, thanks once again are due to the SE benevolence. Peter used it as an excuse for a run out in his rather luvverly burnt orange SC, and helped me turn a few bolts to the right torque

And cheers Robin, looks indeed like the old gasket was just getting a bit tired...can't recall if we put on a fresh one with the KR1 head, but the cam ladder seal looked just fine.

So just to check - the oil goes in the hole with the black cap on the wee white tank, right...?

[Alistair]

So just to check - the oil goes in the hole with the black cap on the wee white tank, right...?

[/quote]


No, No, No - that's Eilidh's juice bottle your filling up......

[campbell]

Aha...that explains why no matter how much oil I add, the dipstick just reads lower n lower

[Alistair]

Aha...that explains why no matter how much oil I add, the dipstick just reads lower n lower

Very impressed with the DIY stuff Senior!

If this continues you'll be getting drafted in for a fluid/pad replacement for the S2k - hopefully not until the end of summer though!

[campbell]

Actually I'm up for a bit of joint fluid replacement (!) as the fluid on UJI is all boiled up from Donnie still!!

So if we can organise an E-Z-Bleed or similar device (Robin had a good un, will see what that was) then I think even a couple of IT sorts like us can manage it between us.

The list of DIY items I *haven't* yet tackled is a bit more scary though. Includes fuel filter, front ARB bushes (including replacing all front undertray fittings when they get animalised on the way out), gearshift linkage (enables selection of more than 3 or 4 on trackdays!!), front offside wheel bearing and hub flange etc etc etc.

Bet you are glad you didn't buy an Elise.

[Alistair]

Actually I'm up for a bit of joint fluid replacement (!) as the fluid on UJI is all boiled up from Donnie still!!

So if we can organise an E-Z-Bleed or similar device (Robin had a good un, will see what that was) then I think even a couple of IT sorts like us can manage it between us.

The list of DIY items I *haven't* yet tackled is a bit more scary though. Includes fuel filter, front ARB bushes (including replacing all front undertray fittings when they get animalised on the way out), gearshift linkage (enables selection of more than 3 or 4 on trackdays!!), front offside wheel bearing and hub flange etc etc etc.

Bet you are glad you didn't buy an Elise.

I'm sure joint fluid replacement is what happens over the hill - not sure it's legal in Linlithgow?!??

Sounds like a fun day - skint knuckles etc etc...

MOT due in September and warranty runs until then - so we'll see what needs done - over on the S2k forum all of their motors seem to fly through MOT's from MY99 onwards - but knowing my luck

3 and 4 are adequate for trackdays (esp when your bro's driving!) only when you come in to the pits is it an issue!

Bed and exciting Cisco book calling - TTFN

[campbell]

Peter,

I checked the cam cover screws over the weekend after, ahem, a few "heat" cycles (!) and they are spot on.

I had a look in a plug bore quickly tonight (was still in work togs so didn't pull back all the HT leads, just looked at no. 1 ... or is it no. 4 ... on the drivers side. Nice and dry

Ta for loan of torque wrench and 5/16ths socket, I shall find an excuse to drive over to Dalgety Bay with them one evening soon.

Robin, ta for validation of likely problem area, as ever looks like diagnosis was spot on.

Another piece of learning there.

Campbell

[Corranga]

gearshift linkage (enables selection of more than 3 or 4 on trackdays!!)

I just changed the bushes on mine for nylatron ones. I can now easily do every shift except 3 to 2

Chris

[BiggestNizzy]

gearshift linkage (enables selection of more than 3 or 4 on trackdays!!)

I just changed the bushes on mine for nylatron ones. I can now easily do every shift except 3 to 2

Chris

I have done this on mine as well as the short shifter, massive improvement (but it still needs setup properly)