Oil around spark plug hole

[Bozu]

Car - AE86

motor - 4AGTE (originally ZE)

use - daily, occasional drifter

problem - Oil around spark plug hole closest to firewall

occurs/started when - Don't know


I'm getting to know my car more and more in the last couple of months of fixing up small things and today as I wanted to change my spark plugs I noticed there was oil around the spark plug hole closest to the firewall...

As I haven't got any experience with this yet I would like to ask what can cause this and how to fix it?

In addition it might be usefull to mention that when the engine is cold it has a rough idle and sometimes stalls (also when pressing clutch in front of traffic light). However this is only the case for the first 1 or 2 minutes after that it idles fine..

A quick search on google gave all kind of hits like leaking valve cover gasket, leaking stem seals and up to leaking piston rings.

I've checked if the sparkplug was torqued properly and this seemed to be the case (as I don't have a torque-wrench)

However I would like to hear some opinions of you guys here on the forum!

Thanks!

Also what would be best to use to clean the leads and everything with? Just some brake cleaner? And spray the contacts in with some ATV silicone to protect from moisture

[timbo]

Use contact cleaner!

Probably some leaking oil from cam covers or the little o-rings under the nuts that keep them on.

[aus_86]

if the oil is around the top the plug then its out side the motor eg, rocker cover gasketts (more than likely the case). take the cover off in between the covers and you should see where the oil is running down from.

[Javal]

Cam cover gaskets.

[Bozu]

In the meantime I bought some gaskets, still waiting on those metal/rubber washers that go between the cam covers and the nuts holding them down.

Would it be necessary or a good idea to apply some RTV gasket as well when replacing the cam cover gaskets?

[timbo]

NO! Do not do this! Defeats the purpose of the gasket and it WILL leak. You could maybe use a little around the washers though, or more so the studs.

[assassin10000]

The ONLY place you use a small amount of FIPG/RTV is the hard corners where it goes over the cam.

Andrew

[Javal]

And if you do indeed do this, apply the sealant to the metal surface, not the seal (duh). Personally I wouldn't use any, but I am better than jesus in almost every respect.