BMW M3 Forum (E90 E92)

BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   M3Post - BMW M3 Forum > E90/E92 M3 Technical Topics > Mechanical Maintenance: Break-in / Oil & Fluids / Servicing
 
Mporium BMW
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      10-28-2017, 05:30 PM   #1
AJMartin0321
New Member
20
Rep
24
Posts

Drives: 2011.75 AW E90 6MT ZCP
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Florida

iTrader: (0)

Oil on Spark Plug Threads?

Hey guys,

I recently rebuilt my throttle actuators as a preventative measure, and changed the spark plugs while everything was apart.

While the car was and is running fine, I noticed oil in the threads of all of the spark plugs. I looked into the spark plug tubes that I could see into and didn't see any oil accumulation within.

From what I have read, this may be due to a valve cover gasket leak. I don't seem to be burning oil excessively, as I haven't had to add any oil over the past 4,000 miles or so.

I just wanted to see if this is a worrisome sign that should be addressed asap, or if this is common and relatively benign.

I appreciate any input/further information.
Appreciate 1
      10-28-2017, 07:24 PM   #2
Pig Farmer
Major
340
Rep
1,293
Posts

Drives: E92M
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Florida

iTrader: (0)

Are you positive it is oil? I've seen varnish build up on the threads (from the fuel vapors), and it does not wipe off like oil. It takes carb cleaner to remove.
Appreciate 0
      10-28-2017, 07:39 PM   #3
AJMartin0321
New Member
20
Rep
24
Posts

Drives: 2011.75 AW E90 6MT ZCP
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Florida

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pig Farmer View Post
Are you positive it is oil? I've seen varnish build up on the threads (from the fuel vapors), and it does not wipe off like oil. It takes carb cleaner to remove.
Yeah, the threads were wet. Came off honey colored on a shop towel.
Appreciate 0
      10-28-2017, 07:41 PM   #4
StripclubDJ
Lieutenant Colonel
StripclubDJ's Avatar
No_Country
4069
Rep
1,598
Posts

Drives: e92 m3
Join Date: May 2016
Location: calis

iTrader: (2)

Normal

Leave it alone
Appreciate 2
BOOF-M34448.50
betak7.00
      10-28-2017, 07:58 PM   #5
AJMartin0321
New Member
20
Rep
24
Posts

Drives: 2011.75 AW E90 6MT ZCP
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Florida

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by StripclubDJ View Post
Normal

Leave it alone
Music to my ears. Doing the throttle actuators and spark plugs was a bit of a pain in the ass. So much time bending over the engine squashing my hands into ridiculously tight spaces left me a little beat up. I must be getting old. Glad I don't have to tear into it again so soon. Thanks!
Appreciate 0
      10-28-2017, 08:33 PM   #6
StripclubDJ
Lieutenant Colonel
StripclubDJ's Avatar
No_Country
4069
Rep
1,598
Posts

Drives: e92 m3
Join Date: May 2016
Location: calis

iTrader: (2)

Haha yeah I’m a tech, for bmw and Porsche
Done countless s65 plugs, m5 plugs, everything
They all have that build up on the threads

Now, if you pull the coil pack and the oil pooling up, your spark plug tube seals went south and you’ll need to do a valve cover job

But for now, grab a 12 pack and kick back lol
Appreciate 2
Ngilbe361618.50
meko177.00
      10-28-2017, 08:40 PM   #7
AJMartin0321
New Member
20
Rep
24
Posts

Drives: 2011.75 AW E90 6MT ZCP
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Florida

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by StripclubDJ View Post
Haha yeah I’m a tech, for bmw and Porsche
Done countless s65 plugs, m5 plugs, everything
They all have that build up on the threads

Now, if you pull the coil pack and the oil pooling up, your spark plug tube seals went south and you’ll need to do a valve cover job

But for now, grab a 12 pack and kick back lol
Perfect. I like the sound of that. lol
Thanks again!
Appreciate 0
      11-07-2017, 01:48 PM   #8
Mr. BMW
Major
Mr. BMW's Avatar
261
Rep
1,389
Posts

Drives: 2012 E92 M3
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: MA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2012 M3  [0.00]
2006 330i  [0.00]
2018 Jeep Grand Che ...  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by StripclubDJ View Post
Haha yeah I’m a tech, for bmw and Porsche
Done countless s65 plugs, m5 plugs, everything
They all have that build up on the threads

Now, if you pull the coil pack and the oil pooling up, your spark plug tube seals went south and you’ll need to do a valve cover job

But for now, grab a 12 pack and kick back lol
So you're not really a StripClubDJ??
__________________
12 M3 Interlagos Blue/Black
18 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Yeah, it's got a HEMI)
21 X3 Silver/Black(Wife's)
06 330i Monaco Blue/Black (retired)
02 X5 3.0 Topaz Blue/Black (retired)
Appreciate 1
      11-07-2017, 01:49 PM   #9
StripclubDJ
Lieutenant Colonel
StripclubDJ's Avatar
No_Country
4069
Rep
1,598
Posts

Drives: e92 m3
Join Date: May 2016
Location: calis

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. BMW View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by StripclubDJ View Post
Haha yeah I’m a tech, for bmw and Porsche
Done countless s65 plugs, m5 plugs, everything
They all have that build up on the threads

Now, if you pull the coil pack and the oil pooling up, your spark plug tube seals went south and you’ll need to do a valve cover job

But for now, grab a 12 pack and kick back lol
So you're not really a StripClubDJ??
Nah just did it for fun a couple times lol
Appreciate 1
Mr. BMW260.50
      11-11-2017, 07:29 PM   #10
MPower7
First Lieutenant
MPower7's Avatar
89
Rep
363
Posts

Drives: 11' e92 M3
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: SF

iTrader: (1)

Just did my plugs today. Car has 54,000 miles I have no idea when the previous owner did them last. It took me almost an hour to do the back plug on the passenger side, 20 minutes to do the rest!

These plugs in the picture are arranged as if you are standing at the front bumper looking at the engine.

Appreciate 0
      11-11-2017, 08:30 PM   #11
last1left
Lieutenant
last1left's Avatar
175
Rep
450
Posts

Drives: e92 M3
Join Date: May 2013
Location: West Coast

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by MPower7 View Post
Just did my plugs today. Car has 54,000 miles I have no idea when the previous owner did them last. It took me almost an hour to do the back plug on the passenger side, 20 minutes to do the rest!

These plugs in the picture are arranged as if you are standing at the front bumper looking at the engine.

Any improvement?
Appreciate 0
      11-12-2017, 12:53 PM   #12
StripclubDJ
Lieutenant Colonel
StripclubDJ's Avatar
No_Country
4069
Rep
1,598
Posts

Drives: e92 m3
Join Date: May 2016
Location: calis

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by MPower7 View Post
Just did my plugs today. Car has 54,000 miles I have no idea when the previous owner did them last. It took me almost an hour to do the back plug on the passenger side, 20 minutes to do the rest!

These plugs in the picture are arranged as if you are standing at the front bumper looking at the engine.

With the right tools the job is 20 min start to finish
Trick on the back one is to put the socket in, click your short extension on, then a swivel , then long extension from there

But Im a tech with snap on everything under the sun with a electric ratchet and all so I know for the average guy they suck ass lol
Appreciate 0
      11-12-2017, 03:18 PM   #13
MPower7
First Lieutenant
MPower7's Avatar
89
Rep
363
Posts

Drives: 11' e92 M3
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: SF

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by last1left View Post
Any improvement?
Very noticible, more consistent idle, much smoother in the low RPM’s when coming to a stop!
Appreciate 0
      05-24-2018, 11:47 AM   #14
charlielycq@gmail.com
New Member
2
Rep
14
Posts

Drives: 2008 E90 M3
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Windsor, Ontario, Canada

iTrader: (0)

Has anyone figured out where the oil on the spark plug tip was from?
(not from the spark plug tube I'm 100% sure since the oil is on the thread and tip only)

I had all my spark plug replaced a couple of weeks ago noticed oily tips/threads on the old plugs for my bank 5 and 7.

The replacement solved the problem at the beginning but now it's getting worse.

I have missing cylinders (rough fire not miss fire) when cold start.

It gets better when the engine is warmed up or simply by pressing on the throttle

But I believe it's not because of the valve cover gasket leak neither the spark plug tubes
(I just got them all replaced)

Is there anything in between the crankcase and the valve case like a sealing gasket for the spark plugs?

Please help!!!
Appreciate 0
      05-24-2018, 11:53 AM   #15
///M Power-Belgium
General
///M Power-Belgium's Avatar
Belgium
62743
Rep
24,511
Posts

Drives: ///M3-E92-DCT Silverstone II
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Belgium

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by StripclubDJ View Post
Nah just did it for fun a couple times lol
A Stripclub ?

__________________
"MAX VERSTAPPEN" IS THE 2021+2022+2023 F1 WORLD CHAMPION - #UnLeashTheLion

BPM DEV-Tune & DCT Software-Tune & Servotronic & coding ///Alpine HID Angeleyes ///Oem.exhaust mod.
Appreciate 0
      10-17-2022, 07:18 AM   #16
damien25
Registered
0
Rep
1
Posts

Drives: Hyundai i10
Join Date: Oct 2022
Location: nevada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by charlielycq@gmail.com View Post
Has anyone figured out where the oil on the spark plug tip was from?
(not from the spark plug tube I'm 100% sure since the oil is on the thread and tip only)

I had all my spark plug replaced a couple of weeks ago noticed oily tips/threads on the old plugs for my bank 5 and 7.

The replacement solved the problem at the beginning but now it's getting worse.

I have missing cylinders (rough fire not miss fire) when cold start.

It gets better when the engine is warmed up or simply by pressing on the throttle

But I believe it's not because of the valve cover gasket leak neither the spark plug tubes
(I just got them all replaced)

Is there anything in between the crankcase and the valve case like a sealing gasket for the spark plugs?

Please help!!!
hope you solved it

Last edited by damien25; 10-18-2022 at 09:10 AM..
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:20 PM.




m3post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST