Oil in spark plug recess

[Mattsx300]

I've been trying to solve the slight misfire at idle that my 3.2 x300 has,

So i took the ignition coils out, and found the the first spark plug on cylinder 1(or whichever cylinder is closest to the front of the car) was sitting in Oil.

Obviously this shouldn't be like this, by how has the Oil got there, and could this be causing my misfire?

Thanks for your help,

Matthew

[O.T.H]

Hi Matthew ---I think that the Oil or wetness shows that-- that cylinder isn't firing and  I think you should replace

the spark plug and make sure you have a spark there.???

Frank

[Mattsx300]

Hi Frank, i have read somewhere that it could possibly be the Oil from the cam cover leaking through? I don't think it runs badly enough to make me think that a cylinder isn't firing, but could the Oil have damaged the coil pack, and possibly creating a weak spark and therefore misfiring?

Matthew

[O.T.H]

Hi Matthew I'm sorry I miss understood and now I realize you said the Oil was sitting around the plug in its recess

so it could be a leak as you said.??

But if I was you I would first --Fit a new set of plugs as one of the could be breaking down and causing a miss fire under pressure.???

Best of luck

Frank

[JOE-DOT-COM]

Hi

The Oil in the spark plug recess is Oil leaking from the cam cover

you could try just nipping up the bolts, just nipp them up don't over tighten them, you want to use a small ratchet like a 1/4 one. don't use a 1/2 ratchet and tighten them right up they might strip the thread.

then get some rag, cut it in strips, and poke it down there i with a thin screwdriver while hold the other end of the strip of rag, so you rag remove the rag easy, to mop the Oil up.

the oil should not really cause a misfire, as oil won't create a short, but if there's moisture or damp there it can cause a misfire

nipping the cam cover might stop the leak and you have nothing to lose

it should'nt cost too much to have that gasket replace on the next service as theres plenty of access on you engine if i remember right

I,d change the plugs, if they hav'nt been done recent, and just clean the oily coil pack, with something like WD40

its also worth, checking all the plugs on the coil packs are clean and no corroded connections, I allways put a quick squirt of WD40 on all connectors like that, keeps the contacts clean and the rubber seal soft, supple and keeps it watertight for the future

cheers

Joe

[Mattsx300]

Ok, Thanks for you help,

I will try just nipping up the bolts before I start replacing seals then.

Do you know which spark plugs these engines like best? I haven't had the old plugs out yet so I don't know what's in there now.

Thanks

Matthew

 

[JOE-DOT-COM]

hi

do you know your engine code

if your car is a 1997 xj6 3.2 with engine code 9JPGRB then look below

if not let me know you engine code and i will look on autodata

if you have a handbook there also listed in there

you can't go wrong with NGK plugs

cheers

joe

click on the pic