Plugs be tellin me

Christopher72 · Post by **Christopher72** » Wed Mar 15, 2023 2:41 am

Needs a new VCG?

flybobbie · Post by **flybobbie** » Wed Mar 15, 2023 8:36 am

I only found out when initial start was unstable, turned out one plug hole full of oil.
Fitted new cam cover, problem solved.

: 20221010_154736.jpg (97.16 KiB) Viewed 479 times

I assume the cover bows as no4 had oil leak.

tiglon · Post by **tiglon** » Wed Mar 15, 2023 10:12 am

Could the oil have come from elsewhere? I had almost identical and the gasket that came out was good as new. I suspect a spillage had come from elsewhere... perhaps loose or no longer sealed oil filler cap. They did replace the cap at the same time, which I found odd.

Is most of the oil in the plug well for cylinder 3, by any chance?

Christopher72 · Post by **Christopher72** » Wed Mar 15, 2023 3:08 pm

tiglon wrote: ↑Wed Mar 15, 2023 10:12 am Is most of the oil in the plug well for cylinder 3, by any chance?

That's a good callout, and I initially thought that it was just a messy oil change. In the picture, #1 is on the bottom, so there's oil in 2,3,6. (or #2 and #3 were so dirty that they fouled my socket... but that wouldn't explain #4 and #5 being cleaner.) In the big picture, a VCG is only $42 USD, so replacing is worth the peace of mind, and I'll clean it up to ensure any new oil is more indicative.

While I'm down there... anything else that I should replace on the N54 since it will take me 30+ minutes to disassemble? When you get into these things you learn a bit more about the previous owner's maintenance... like -- why am I missing 2 of the cover screws of the beauty cover, etc. I'd love to change out the injectors to index-12, but damn they are expensive -- need to plan that for next budget season.

Christopher72 · Post by **Christopher72** » Wed Mar 15, 2023 6:00 pm

Watched a video that referenced the crankcase vent hose as a possible leak source if there's oil on top of the plugs like that, but not weeping from the outside edge. Will look into replacing that o-ring on #9 as well.

tiglon · Post by **tiglon** » Wed Mar 15, 2023 7:16 pm

If you're doing it yourself and only paying for parts then you might as well go for it. Like you say, piece of mind. I think with mine the oil was mostly in 3 and, to a lesser extent, 2.

As for what else to do while you're in there, if it's more complicated than changing spark plugs I'm running to a professional, so you'll need one of the more knowledgeable on here to advise!

Christopher72 · Post by **Christopher72** » Wed Mar 15, 2023 7:46 pm

I'll try anything that doesn't start with "drop the subframe" or "pull the engine"

Christopher72 · Post by **Christopher72** » Wed Mar 22, 2023 3:51 am

Halfway there... I'm slooow at this.

Christopher72 · Post by **Christopher72** » Sun Mar 26, 2023 11:56 pm

Since getting the Valve cover off was significantly more difficult that I expected, I thought someone had used RTV silicone on it. I pounded, pried, prayed, and profusely pondered how to get the thing off... It was persistence that paid the price.

But we're back together with a new VCG, plugs, endor coils, CVH and PCV, and some replacement vacuum hosts for the casualties of the effort.

I am getting a yellow clock indicator with 00:00:00 underneath, which I think is a service indicator, hopefully unrelated.
BTW, dropping a bolt in this bay is a right PITA. Luckily my 13 yr old 's skinny arms and an endoscope was able to recover it...

B21 · Post by **B21** » Mon Mar 27, 2023 9:26 am

I think the yellow 00:00 means that the system has lost the time..battery disconnect or very low battery are the normal causes..

Or a re-program or re-flash of the ECU..

Christopher72 · Post by **Christopher72** » Mon Mar 27, 2023 5:58 pm

Sounds like a plan... and simple. Why do we always assume the worst with warnings!

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