Oil in the Spark Plug Shafts on the 2.4 MIVEC. Problem???

KiwiRuss

Member
Howdy All
Russ here, 2.4 MIVEC Lancer Wagon.
Have had a noticeable drop in power recently, and a reluctance to get going. 1st thought was spark plugs.
I have 260kms on the clock.
When I pulled the plugs out, each spark plug shaft had a bunch of oil in it. cylinder 4 was the worst, and not only was the plug very oily when it came out, but the ignitor set and even the spark plug socket from my socket set were very oily.
Ended up with a little oil in the cylinder, gauging by the puff of blue smoke when it started back up.
I gave the SP Tube a clean-out with a roll of cloth.
How worried should I be bout this?
Is this a common problem in these engines?
Is this the beginning of the end? Or just normal buildup.

NGK Iridium plugs have done 50,000kms.

Keen to hear your thoughts.

Many Thanks
Russ from the Eastern State...
 
Re: Oil in the Spark Plug Shafts on the 2.4 MIVEC. Problem??

May be the gaskets, I'd be buying a rocker cover gasket kit with spark plug seals and replacing it all, and get new spark plugs too
 
Re: Oil in the Spark Plug Shafts on the 2.4 MIVEC. Problem??

rigby said:
May be the gaskets, I'd be buying a rocker cover gasket kit with spark plug seals and replacing it all, and get new spark plugs too

Wise words Mr Cage.
Looks like a weekend project ahead.

Thanks for your time...
 
Re: Oil in the Spark Plug Shafts on the 2.4 MIVEC. Problem??

Get gasket goo also. A small ammount around the lip where the gasket sits (on both sides of the gasket..) will ensure a proper seal.
Dont over-tighten the bolts either, it will pinch the gasket and youll just get another leak.

Make sure you thoroughly clean both surfaces (on the head, and on the rocker cover) before applying the goo.
 
Re: Oil in the Spark Plug Shafts on the 2.4 MIVEC. Problem??

just had the same problem with another car - as Rigby suggested new valve cover gaskett and spark plug seals
 
Re: Oil in the Spark Plug Shafts on the 2.4 MIVEC. Problem??

Thanks guys, should have it done this weekend.
I appreciate the sage advice :)

Cheers
Russ
 
Reviving an older thread instead of making my own :)

I have come across the same issue on the weekend. I gave my 2006 2.4 a service and when removing the spark plugs also noticed oil in all 4 tubes. #1 was almost dripping there was that much oil...

Research here and the net does indicate the valve cover gasket, however I also had oil on the actual thread of the spark plug but not the actual electrode (see photos of plug #3, I had cleaned #1 and #2 before i thought about taking a pic...).

Am I safe in assuming that it may just be oil that leaked while undoing the spark plugs, or is something more sinister going on? Like the OP said above it blew some smoke when first started up but that's the only time it has so I woudl like to think that oil is not getting into the actual cylinders (I hope). There are also no oil leaks behind the engine or in the engine bay that I can see.

The car only has 126000km on the clock, so I'm hoping it's nothing major (and would be disappointed if it was as the previous owner and i have both looked after the car well).

I have noted in the last month or so some slight hesitation with the car occasionally with light throttle applied, hence looking at the spark plugs. I replaced them when I first got the car at 95000KM and they were fine off memory, and since changing them yesterday the car is running well. I'll check the plugs again this weekend to see how much oil is getting through.

I've watched a couple of videos on how to change these gaskets and it's looks within my range of technical skills to achieve, so I'm willing to give it a go. Can anyone recommend a good gasket kit to get or from where? Should I go to Mitsubishi direct or will I just be paying for OEM parts when that's not needed?

Also, what the hell is gasket goo in laymans terms?? :)

And finally, according to the workshop manual I have the torque settings for the 3 front screws that hold the rocker cover in place is only 3 NM or so - does this sound correct? I don't have a torque wrench that goes that low, can you get them?

Thanks in advance!


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Gasket too is another term for a liquid sealant. Not all sealants are the same though modern engines and oxygen sensors in particular don't cope with silicone so when purchasing a sealant you need to look for a sensor safe sealant. Loctite and threebond products are my pick. A new gasket set can be purchased through repco, burson's or your equivalent outlet. I would reuse the spark plugs for now and just wipe down the white insulator no need to touch the electrode. Inside the rocker cover are four seals that need to be replaced that go around the spark plug tubes. As to torque settings, a wrench is available but not necessary just do the bolts up evenly and the same tension they were before removal.
 
I've had the same thing happen to mine recently. Same principle, even though a little different.
Like mine it sounds like your rubber spark plug tube seals have worn out.
I bought all new OEM rubber seals for mine, cost me about $80-90.
For things like this, I'd buy OEM every time. I got burned last time I didn't.
 
Thanks all, sorry for the late reply.

I'll pickup a complete OEM set from Mitsubishi next week, and hopefully get time to do the swap before I take a drive to Canberra and back next weekend. I decided on the OEM as it was only another $40 or so over a non OEM set.

I checked the plugs last night and not too much oil has gotten through, so it's only a small leak, but I want to do it sooner than later.

I'll let you know how I go!
 
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