SV22 camry spark plug problem

[geoff brookes]

My SV22 Camry (1990) has an ignition problem causing misfiring at low revs. This seems to be due to oil around the plugs where they are situated inside the metal tubes attached to the head. I have replaced the rocker cover gasket and the 4 round gaskets that seal between the tubes and the rocker cover. A mechanic said that the "tubes" I mentioned earlier are probably a press fit into the head and the oil leaking into and around the plugs may be leaking past this press fit.

Does anybody have any experience similar to this and how can this oil leak be prevented?

[trentmeyer23]

They should be threaded like the picture below. A high temperature pipe or thread sealant should prevent them from leaking.

[geoff brookes]

Trent,

Thanks heaps for the photo. It looks like a standard right hand thread so I will be able to remove it with a good stilson or footprint spanner. I would not have been game to tamper with a push fit tube. I'll just have to be careful with cleaning it before removing it, and cleaning the thread before replacing the tube. I suppose it would be good to replace the oil and filter as soon as it has been tested when finished.

I will ask at auto spare part shops for a high temp. thread tape rather than use a plumber's Teflon tape. I wouldn't want tape fragments clogging up oil lines.

many thanks,

Geoff.

[trentmeyer23]

You can get high temp sealants from places like Supercheap Auto, Autobarn and Repco.

http://www.permatex.com.au/_products/Automotive/thread+compounds/thread+sealants/Permatex+High+Temperature+Thread+Sealant-1318.aspx