Oil in and around sparkplugs

[kasza87]

i recently purchased an 89 sho. i was driving it today for the first time when it started to hesitate and produce a really strong smell with some white smoke. the smell was like that of burning oil and when i looked under the hood, in and around were the front three sparkplugs are, there was oil everywhere. what could this be? headgasket maybe?

 

[Eric VerValin]

Nope just the valve cover gasket set is what you need. Good time to do the plugs and wires too.

 

[kasza87]

thanks so much.. how much does the set go for? and do you know how to change valve cover? can it be done on your own?

 

[greengiant]

look at the big mess of intake runners on the very top of your engine, that whole assemble has to come off, so if you're not ready to do that you should probably send to NESHO in mass. if you can handle most mechanical work then go for it, just take your time.

 

[38SHO]

with a good valve cover set you should get the spark plug tube seals... thats what leaking inside your plug wells if thats your problem.....

you can also see oil on top of your valve covers from leaking valve cover bolt gaskets, which nobody makes anymore........ I'm still working on an alternative for this


this type of service overlaps with another SHO maintenance area, adjustment of the valves.... you can spend as much money on this as you want. Someone like me, I would replace all the coolant hoses, thermostat, coolant, radiator crap, intake manifold couplers, intake manifold gaskets, and clean the intake really good. While its all apart you can check all the clearances between the camshaft and the valve actuators....

this is refered to as a 60k service

more information can be found here, www.shophoenixproject.com

along with lots of pictures, parts lists, step by step instructions.........

enjoy the reading


if you are at all interested in tackling this project yourself, and you don't know much about cars... maybe persuade a mechanic you know to come by and give you some guidance, to make sure that these things would actually cure your problem.... because its tough to say they will just from your description and never seeing the car personally.......

all the oil on the valve covers could just be another problem that you happened to notice.... there could be other things going on....

 

[Guido0136]

Myself and my brother-in-law just did my 94 ATX. It takes about 3-5 hours and he is a master mechanic. And yes - do take your time, and be very careful with the rear. As you put the cover back on the gasket can fold over and then you will need to take it all apart again. I know from experience.

Good luck

 

[TYSHO]

It doesn't take much to tighten the valve cover bolts and it doesn't take much to break the threads off in the head, either...