I was doing a service on my mk1 vrs octy and when it came to the spark plugs, I came across a problem.

As u look at the engine, from left to right, u have 4 spark plugs.

1 was soaked in oil, dripping as I pulled it out.

2 was similar but not as bad.

3 was dry as a nuns ....

4 was a little wet with oil but no where near as bad as 1 & 2

I have had the car for 2 months and only just checked the oil, (bad I know, shoot me!)

It was very low, which is what spurred me on to do a service.

Engine does get hot, but when I say this, I mean it's hot weather, engines are usually hot right? And I feel heat sometimes in the foot wells, especially when I've planted it on the odd occasion.

There is no mayonnaise like substance under the oil cap and it all looks pretty normal.

No smoke from exhaust.

Temp dial inside car goes up to normal temp once engine is warmed up.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Could the head gasket be caput? Or could it be rocker cover gaskets?

Or some other seals? I don't know....

Hope some of you can shed a little light on this, and possibly advise what it could be.

Would take it to garage, but I'm keen to sort on my own with your help.

If u would like any addition info, just ask.

Thanks guys :-)

Joe

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

The rocker cover gasket needs to be replaced. It's possible to do it on your own. Done 2 with my brother in law on a Vectra and Omega

Sent from my Galaxy S5

That's what I'm thinking, am gonna do it tomorrow to be on safe side, it's only £20

What do I do with oil which is still in the 3 out of 4 chambers? Will it just go away when fuel comes through?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I would clean it all out with old rags. Don't forget to clean any residue from the old gasket. The best way to do it gasket sealant on engine then gasket and then some more to make sure it doesn't happen again. Try to use a thin bead to stop it leaking into the engine. Also replace any plugs that have come into contact with the oil

Sent from my Galaxy S5

The rocker cover gasket is actually two seperate parts. There is the outer square one that goes around the outside and an inner one that covers the spark plug holes. It'll be this one thats leaking. Mine was actually leaking down the back of the engine without me knowing. I only seen it when I was underneath doing something else. Its quite easy to do though definately a job can do at home.

I would clean it all out with old rags. Don't forget to clean any residue from the old gasket. The best way to do it gasket sealant on engine then gasket and then some more to make sure it doesn't happen again. Try to use a thin bead to stop it leaking into the engine. Also replace any plugs that have come into contact with the oil

Sent from my Galaxy S5

No sealant is needed for the gasket. Just a little bead on 4 points where the camshaft bearings are. Dont use sealant around the outside.

Dead easy to change and will fix yiur problem, while you are there give your breather hoses a clean out, they can get clogged up.

Brilliant responses guys. Thank you very much. So, the spark plus I bought today and fitted regardless, are now needing to be replaced too? Damn.....

I checked earlier and euro car parts have inner and outer gaskets for £20 odd, so gonna do it tomorrow for sure....

Wish I bought them cheap £2.50 spark plugs now, instead of the £9.00 ones :-/ whooooops!

Lol

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

No sealant is needed for the gasket. Just a little bead on 4 points where the camshaft bearings are. Dont use sealant around the outside.

Thanks hadn't realised these come in two parts. I have used the sealant as an extra precaution

Sent from my Galaxy S5

If the plugs are nearly new, just clean them well with something like throttle body cleaner or brake cleaner and let them dry then refit them after you refit the cam cover - then you are good to go.

 

Probably worth checking/ cleaning the coils while you are there too.

Thanks hadn't realised these come in two parts. I have used the sealant as an extra precaution

Sent from my Galaxy S5

The cambox is a slightly different design on the later engine vrs and the gasket is one piece rather than 2 as on the 1.8t

Thanks hadn't realised these come in two parts. I have used the sealant as an extra precaution

Sent from my Galaxy S5

Thats fair enough but sometimes if too much is applied it can get into the engine blocking oil ways etc. Just thought I'd mention its not really needed on these cars.

Thats fair enough but sometimes if too much is applied it can get into the engine blocking oil ways etc. Just thought I'd mention its not really needed on these cars.

No that's why I said to use a small amount. But if it's not needed that's even better for the op

Sent from my Galaxy S5

So the gauge says at 90 when warm also?

What u mean?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

What u mean?

 

The temp gauge on the dash.  What is the indicated normal operating temp of the engine?

Around 90 I think. I'll check later

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I have just finished changing the 2 rocker cover gaskets. The outer one was split which would explain oil and crap down the front of the engine and the inner one around the spark plug chambers looked a little ropey, but not too bad. But both are changed, and I am getting a new oil cap as it seems a little loose. All spark plugs cleaned and were not that wet anyways.

I shall keep an eye on this over the next week or so and let u guys know if it's all sorted. Thanks for all your help. It's refreshing to have good advice and no sarcastic comments like many other forum sites, cheers guys.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

It is also possible that someone had an epic fail before you when putting oil in the engine, and just could not be bothered to clean up the mess afterwards - I know a main agent like that.

That was my first Thought tbh, but, the outer one was split anyways, so would've needed doing anyway, so I'm glad it's done anyway.

:-)

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk