Oil in spark plug hole & other fun things...*hi res PICS* not 56k friendly

[Nan Desu Ka?!]

Ok well I heard ticking in my engine, so of course my first thought was the upper timing chain guide.

So before I can even take the valve cover off, I tried taking out my number 4(at least thats what i think that one is called, the one closest to the firewall) and it was making a loud wet suctioning sound and wouldnt come out... so I pulled on it harder :naughty: and it came out with a rain of oil.

So, awsome. I finished taking off my valve cover and this is what I find:

(p.s. Oh yeah... I guess my mechanic never put the top guide on so im pretty sure its the side one, but im more concerned about this)

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a220/dracco77/240sx/DSCN7146.jpg
The inside gasket was completely fucked exept for 2 rings, 1 perfect spark plug hole and one that was ok.

more pics:
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a220/dracco77/240sx/DSCN7147.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a220/dracco77/240sx/DSCN7155.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a220/dracco77/240sx/DSCN7156.jpg

This was those only perfect one:
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a220/dracco77/240sx/DSCN7157.jpg

This is what i saw in the spark plug hole closest to the firewall:
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a220/dracco77/240sx/DSCN7150.jpg

this is after i sopped most of it out with a paper towel and a turkey baster. I got it even better after i took this pic, it was almost dry exept at the base where the paper towel would not reach
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a220/dracco77/240sx/DSCN7158.jpg


So, what the hell would cuase the gasket to do that? Ideas? Comments? I mean its only like a 5-8$ part, but I dont want it to happen again, ya know?

Oh yeah, and while looking for the top guide I saw this:
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a220/dracco77/240sx/DSCN7148.jpg

Wtf? indeed. I showed my step-dad and he thinks it was a flaw in the casting... I have no idea cuase it looks like it melted... but there is nothing touching that part to melt it... by the way those are the two bolts between the cam shafts closest to the timing chain.

Ok that's it, sorry for the big pics, but i wanted to show detail. Thanks for looking. :)

[Nizzan4u2nv]

Its possible whoever took the VC off last time didnt seat the middle gasket correctly.

[240shorty]

I recently replaced that gasket too. Oil on the #3 spark plug. I wouldn't fret about it. It's a cheap rubber/plastic part that gets heated and cooled everyday. I think it just fails eventually. If anything, maybe it was over torqued, but I wouldn't worry about it.

Be careful if you get the replacement from Autozone. They gave me one that looks like it's for an Altima. The Valve Cover gasket has a loop in it for a dizzy and the spark plug one didn't have the small loops for the bolt holes.

I also have those 'melted metal' looking things in the same spot. I was concerned about it prior to seeing yours, but I assume now that it is a casting mark.

-Steve

[drift freaq]

replace old gasket, your good to go. They do tend to fail over time because the rubber gets impregnated with oil and stretchs out. Yes rubber that is heated up repeatedly breaks down and becomes porous.

[Nan Desu Ka?!]

Woot, thanks guys. Can anyone second or third the "casting marks"?

Also, after using my ghetto stethoscope (screwdriver FTW!11!) im about 95% positive that the rattling I was originally looking to fix is the upper lower (yes i know it sounds funny) timing chain guide. time to break out the RTV and pull that front cover off... *sigh* nothing is ever what it seems with an s13...ever.

Thanks again guys!

[pr240sx]

Dont overtorque the bolts, they need only to be almost hand tight
As for the "casting marks" I thin that was caused by the chain rubbing there! Check for slack on the chain!

[Nan Desu Ka?!]

there is no way the timing chain can reach that place without hoping off the cam gears...then i would REALLY have problems.

[thejester03]

Yea, the valve cover bolts only take 6-8 pounds, they bottom out, so dont keep crankin!! Some joker over torqued mine so a bunch of them are stripped out!!!

[Nan Desu Ka?!]

are you saying that the gasket could have been warped due to overtourqued valve cover bolts?

Ill be sure to check the FSM for tourque specs when i replace my gasket. Thanks!

[pr240sx]

hand tight only!
the rubber does the sealing.
There is no need to use silicone or any other sealant on those surfaces