Spark plug tube fail - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

BrZ_Good · 09-14-2021, 11:11 PM

130k mile 2013 brz. Spark plug gasket on cylinder 4 is leaking on plug and coil pack, shorting the connection causing spark plug tip to explode.

Update: pulled engine this week. I guess material on plug tube gasket just wasn’t thick enough to seal. Cleaned up and reinstalled. Used much less rtv than the factory. Looks like it was even on the cam lobe in last pic

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humfrz · 09-15-2021, 12:26 AM

Now THAT is ugly -

Bubba suggests you put a new spark plug in there.

Then check the other plugs to see if they are tight.

NoHaveMSG · 09-15-2021, 02:26 AM

Ummm. Hopefully all the pieces escaped and there is no engine damage. You MAY be able to replace the valve cover gasket and spark plug tube gasket without pulling the engine but it will be a PITA.

RToyo86 · 09-15-2021, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

Ummm. Hopefully all the pieces escaped and there is no engine damage. You MAY be able to replace the valve cover gasket and spark plug tube gasket without pulling the engine but it will be a PITA.

Maybe jacking up that side of the engine by pulling the bolt on the mount would help.

blsfrs · 09-15-2021, 08:43 AM

My gasket failed when I lost a rocker arm. When I pulled the plug to initially diagnose the "misfire" the tube was full of oil. Didn't understand why until I pulled the valve cover. BTW: My rebuilt engine is in the car and I get my cleaned injectors back on Friday. I might actually have a running car over the weekend.

NoHaveMSG · 09-15-2021, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RToyo86

Maybe jacking up that side of the engine by pulling the bolt on the mount would help.

I would undo both motor mounts, lift the engine up by the oil pan till the motor mounts clear the cross member, and push it over to one side(make sure you don't knock the engine off the jack). Alternately you could also remove the motor mounts off the block so you could mess with the height to get the most space, but I am pretty sure lifting up will get you the most. That is how I did my brothers Forester. The issue with the FA is they use a bit of sealant on the valve cover gasket. So you would have to scrape that off, clean up, and reapply in that little space trying not to get any of the old stuff into the head. It's a PITA. 6 beer job, 4 while working, 2 for after while you are putting your tools away. If you have the equipment, it takes about the same amount of time to just pull the motor, fix, reinstall.

BrZ_Good · 09-15-2021, 11:45 AM

Preciate the input fellas. I’ll make sure I’ll have the beer money before starting this one. Probably gonna unbolt motor, tilt and rock it. Do these valve covers have a gasket? Or am I gonna have to bob ross some sealant? I’ll change the set of tube gaskets. Needs new plugs anyway, changed once at 75k.

Only other knuckle buster was tob at 86k.
Threatened to break up with her, but, I can’t…

BrZ_Good · 09-15-2021, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blsfrs

My gasket failed when I lost a rocker arm. When I pulled the plug to initially diagnose the "misfire" the tube was full of oil. Didn't understand why until I pulled the valve cover. BTW: My rebuilt engine is in the car and I get my cleaned injectors back on Friday. I might actually have a running car over the weekend.

Oof. Congrats tho dawg

NoHaveMSG · 09-15-2021, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrZ_Good

Preciate the input fellas. I’ll make sure I’ll have the beer money before starting this one. Probably gonna unbolt motor, tilt and rock it. Do these valve covers have a gasket? Or am I gonna have to bob ross some sealant? I’ll change the set of tube gaskets. Needs new plugs anyway, changed once at 75k.

Only other knuckle buster was tob at 86k.
Threatened to break up with her, but, I can’t…

There is a gasket for the perimeter, and for the spark plug tube, but it uses sealant too in a couple spots.

09-14-2021, 11:11 PM	#1
BrZ_Good Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Drives: '13 BRZ Ice Silver Metallic Location: North Georgia Posts: 19 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Spark plug tube fail 130k mile 2013 brz. Spark plug gasket on cylinder 4 is leaking on plug and coil pack, shorting the connection causing spark plug tip to explode. Update: pulled engine this week. I guess material on plug tube gasket just wasn’t thick enough to seal. Cleaned up and reinstalled. Used much less rtv than the factory. Looks like it was even on the cam lobe in last pic Last edited by BrZ_Good; 12-24-2021 at 03:49 PM.

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09-15-2021, 12:26 AM	#2
humfrz Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Drives: 2013 FR-S, white, MT Location: Puyallup, WA Posts: 29,868 Thanks: 28,790 Thanked 31,816 Times in 16,425 Posts Mentioned: 708 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	Now THAT is ugly - Bubba suggests you put a new spark plug in there. Then check the other plugs to see if they are tight.

09-15-2021, 08:43 AM	#5
blsfrs Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Drives: 2013 frs base Location: central Virginia Posts: 1,115 Thanks: 1,729 Thanked 914 Times in 474 Posts Mentioned: 12 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	My gasket failed when I lost a rocker arm. When I pulled the plug to initially diagnose the "misfire" the tube was full of oil. Didn't understand why until I pulled the valve cover. BTW: My rebuilt engine is in the car and I get my cleaned injectors back on Friday. I might actually have a running car over the weekend.

09-15-2021, 11:45 AM	#7
BrZ_Good Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Drives: '13 BRZ Ice Silver Metallic Location: North Georgia Posts: 19 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Preciate the input fellas. I’ll make sure I’ll have the beer money before starting this one. Probably gonna unbolt motor, tilt and rock it. Do these valve covers have a gasket? Or am I gonna have to bob ross some sealant? I’ll change the set of tube gaskets. Needs new plugs anyway, changed once at 75k. Only other knuckle buster was tob at 86k. Threatened to break up with her, but, I can’t…

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