Just changed my spark plugs and...

racerboy777

Member
:
Mazda3i Touring
What's up everyone, haven't been on here in a while but I normally read posts for help and what not. I was changing my spark plugs today though and when I removed the first spark plug boot on the passenger side, I noticed a bit of oil around the plug. I checked the other 3 plugs but they were spotless clean. I did a bit of research and most people with this problem just replace the valve cover gasket.

My question is: Is this all I would have to replace? Or would I have to removed my valve cover and do a more detailed investigation?

Thanks, any help would be appreciated!
 
Replacing the gasket should be all that's needed. Of course you should check for anything unusual and correct as needed. Looking at the shop manual it appears the
cover gasket may be a 2 part item, outer cover gasket and a separate gasket to
seal around the plugs. Some engines use O rings around the plugs.

Never had to remove my valve cover so I'm going by what I see in the shop manual.

Clifton
 
It's also possible that oil spilled during an oil change seeped down into that hole, since it's the closest plug to the oil fill hole and a lot of shops are pretty careless about that. It's been known to happen... especially since the other 3 are spotless, my money is on this being the "problem" (which isn't really one). Inspect the new plug on that cylinder after a couple weeks and if it's still clean you're good to go.
 
Ok everyone, so I just checked the spark plug socket for oil and to my surprise no oil, so I think that Cali_Axela was right and I had just recently changed my oil so it most likely seeped down there when I removed the first spark plug boot.

Thanks for your help everyone!
 
Great to hear... it's pretty common for that to happen, I'd hate to see someone waste money trying to fix a problem when there isn't one!
 
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