leaky passenger side valve cover I think

[wpatters1229]

I had a miss on the number two plug. By swapping coils and then plugs it was determined to be the spark plug. The problem was that both plugs had oil all over them when I pulled them out. The number 1 was the worst. I cleaned out all the oil and adjusted the gap on the two plugs and all is good. QUESTION: I do not think the valve cover is leaking but in case it is do they make something I can add to the oil to make that gasket swell to help stop any leak or is this maybe the head gasket leaking? I cannot remove the valve cover since I am 77 years old and my hands have a bit of arthritis. From what I have read it is a tough job. I will send it to a shop to get new plugs since that is also a tough job.
Any ideas on this?

 

[wpatters1229]

Forgot to say this is a 2000 with 5.4l and 147000 miles. Runs fine in all other aspects of the engine. No loss of water and no oil drips on the driveway. Hardly uses any oil between changes and has plenty of power. Just never seen oil around a plug like this.

 

[Hamfisted]

About the only sealer worth trying is that AT-205. It's a mineral spirits consistancy and will mix with your oil without issues. Just depends on how bad your gaskets are. Sometimes you just can't overcome age and heat damage. You can find the AT-205 at any AutoZone, or even order it on Amazon if you like. Ask the shop how much they would charge you to replace the gaskets.









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[wpatters1229]

I just got a bottle from Amazon. I used a bottle in a spray bottle to quiet the bushings on my jeep. They dry out and this is the only thing that works. Just spray all over the bushings. I will put this new bottle into the oil and then see what happens.

 

[wpatters1229]

Last update. Since spraying carb cleaner in the well where the spark goes and cleaning the plug and the boot for the coil there have been no more missing. Today I took off the coils and using my inspection camera stuck it down into the shaft where the spark plug is located and saw no more oil on either plug. The only conclusion I can come up with is that someone adding oil must have spilled some into the ports that hold the plugs. The car runs fine so will leave it alone. I eventually will have to have the plugs replaced but not doing that myself as it looks like a mess to deal with getting to the back passenger side plugs. Driver-side plugs don't look that bad to get to but I will pay a pro who has done this before to do it. I just have to find a good mechanic who has done it before.

 

[AksoBruce]

Replacing the right bank valve cover gasket is a daunting task for certain. With a voice of experience, the most difficult thing about is the harness laying across it. Mine is a '97, so I'm not exactly certain how it is routed on yours, but mine was a witch with a capital B. The left bank was only slightly less bothersome as it has the EGR tube in the way. Definitely NOT one of Ford's better ideas.

I can feel your pain with the arthritis, Brother. I am a few years behind you at 62 and I was diagnosed with RA when I was 21. I have also been bending wrenches professionally since I was a kid. It hurts every day.

 

[wpatters1229]

thanks for the replies. I forgot about this post of mine, and again went through the same thing of finding oil around the plugs. The number one was worse than number 2. I cleaned the well and using a rag and long straight blade screw driver cleaned some black stuff around the hole were the plug screws in. Blew it all out with air and put everything back and runs fine, but not sure how oil can get into that well unless it is the valve cover leaking. Maybe I need to give all the cover nuts a quarter turn tighter?
The best tip is to buy a camera scope that you plug into a phone or laptop and you can look down into the well and the cylinder top. Best tool!!

 

[Hamfisted]

Yeah. If you want to fix it permanently you'll have to replace the valve cover gaskets. Don't over torque the bolts. They have shoulders and they won't squeeze down on the gasket any further.







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[wpatters1229]

I agree, as this is what I was telling another on the forum. I am thinking of cleaning all along the edge closest to the plugs and coils and then applying a bead of high-temperature silicone as a barrier to keep the oil, if any, from getting to the plugs. I am not in the mood to tackle replacing the gasket. If the oil is not coming from the valve cover, I wonder how it would get into the spark plug well. Anyone?

 

[Billme]

I guess you could check your pcv seal.. Over time it could possibly leak and head that way.. Bet it’s just spilt oil
Btw, that AT-205 saved me some heartaches, it totally stopped my rear seal leak..
Going to try it on my Transmission next

 

[danimerciss22]

Mine is a '97, so I'm not exactly certain how it is routed on yours, but mine was a witch with a capital B. The left bank was only slightly less bothersome as it has the EGR tube in the way. Definitely NOT one of Ford's better ideas.