See Oil around Spark-Plug Boots, is this baad-news?

[EthoX]

Hi all I have a '94 SHO-ATX w/ 130k mile on it. Has been running very well. Today I took it to super-jet spray off the bugs which splatted across the grill-facia, my friend who was with me said "why don't you hose-off the car-engine too", it was very,very dusty/dirty.

So we I opened up and sprayed away, I did stand back about 3ft. After we were done, started up the car and noticed immediately that it was idling somewhat roughly, after about a mile it cleared up, My home was only 5 miles from the car wash. When I got to my house I opened up the hood I saw that there was a little oil that had collected along the bottom ridge of the spark-plug boots. I could also hear some liquid gurgling/flowing sound through the top piping area, where the SHO stamp is, I guess it's the manifold? I checked the oil a 1/2hr. later, it was at normal level, that's when I also noticed that two of the spark-plug wire boots were up, not seated properly, so I push them down to be seated. Later today, I had to go out, started up and the engine at first was a little rough, it felt like a misfire.

I am calling in tomorrow for an appointment. Any opinions? My friend said that I probably need a complete head job, I beg to differ. Ironically, I was planning to call my Ford dealership to make an appointment for a tune-up anyway. Your opinions are welcomed.

 

[Bizzy]

Ok...your first mistake was spraying the engine off. Electronics and water do not get along well. Clean your engine with a damp rag and some engine cleaner yes but protect those electronics with your life. I sprayed my engine off one time and will never do it again. I believe, although I cannot prove it, that I am responsible for my CPS failure because my water pump does not leak and it started having troubles not long after I sprayed it down. There are tons of people who do wash their engines with power washers and have no problems, but IMO it's asking for trouble.

Oil in the plug wells is not an uncommon problem with our cars. All you need to do is take the valve covers off and replace the well gaskets. They are a simple round gasket looking deal and very easy to install. Avoid taking your plug wires off until you are ready to replace them because the oil in the wells can cause problems by fouling the spark plugs and wires. You may want to consider replacing them anyway...never hurts. Don't let that oil drip back into your engine...very bad thing. Suck it out with a turkey baster (or the like) or soak it up with paper towels first.

I've never heard of having a gurgling sound in your intake before and I seriously doubt that spraying the engine off would cause this...although I have been wrong before.

<small>[ June 09, 2002, 08:32 PM: Message edited by: Bizzy ]</small>

 

[BeatDaSHO]

not good man. never spray your engine down like that. What probably happened is that water got down into the spark plug boots and with the combination of the oil and water it popped the boot right out. If you take the boots you'll probably find water and oil. Get the felpro valve cover gasket set at www.autozone.com. it costs about $72. Then get the motorcraft spark plugs agsp32pp at www.fordpartsnetwork.com and you might as well get the spark plug wires there also. Never again spray your engine down like you did. The water will have to now evaporate. have fun.

Greg

 

[EthoX]

Thanks Bizzy & BDS for you input, although I bought the SHO from it's original owner I do have the paper work and will go through to see if the valve cover has been ever replaced, as well as the spark plug wire set as well.

 

[Huntervf]

Why on earth would you need a complete head job for a slight misfire and some oil in the plug wells??? Does your friend happen to work for Midas or something???

Seriously though...be careful when cleaning/spraying your engine like that. The electronics are sensitive, and it sounds exactly like you got some water into places it shouldn't have been. Let it dry out...take apart what you can. If you're mechanically inclined then replace your plugs, wires & plug seals per the descriptions above.

 

[biker889]

i know the gurggling i had it too, its probably the water in the plug well, when it gets hot it starts to boil and cause that sound, let ur engine warm up, then turn it off, if you hear the noise, pull off the plug where the water is and see if its bubbling. and get that water out asap.

 

[stevetatro]

Here's what I would do if I were you.

First, never power wash your engine. What were you thinking?

Second, remove all the plug wire boots and remove all water/oil from the plug wells. You can remove the majority of it with a small hose, remove the rest by sopping it up with wadded up paper towels, and blow out any remnants of it with some compressed air.

Third, allow the wires to dry completely while still off the plugs. Apply some fresh dielectric grease inside the boots and put them back on the plugs.

You may be fine. Don't jump at the first opportunity to replace your valve cover gaskets and/or plug well seals. If a tiny bit of oil accumulates over a long period of time, it's okay. Just clean it out periodically!

Total cost: $0. Satisfaction of fixing the problem yourself: Priceless.

Good luck.

 

[PROPHET]

you have blown head gaskets your looking at about 300 dollars