spark plug tube removal and reseal

[baldilocks]

Hello fellow Mudders my name is Steve and I have gleaned much info from your experiences and challenges the past year. This my first thread. I bought a 1994 80 last spring and it's been great. However it has a random and rather harsh misfire only noticed at idle. I bought OEM tune up parts and when i pulled the plug wires i found oil in the plug tubes. i know this has been discussed before and i just replaced the seals but have not tested it yet. The engine was professionally rebuilt 15K ago. I looked up this issue using a popular search engine and an online "professional" Toyota mechanic said the seals could be the fix but most likely the oil is leaking in-between the tubes and the head and to remove the tubes from the head and resealed using an anaerobic type sealant. No where have i read on here about anyone doing this. Also, i spoke to the shop that rebuilt the engine and he said when they do the head work there is no need to remove these tubes Unfortunately the warranty is expired because the PO had the job done over 4 years ago. Your input would be appreciated.

 

[bajaphile]

Yeah I've never heard of anyone pulling the tubes. It's very common for the tube seals (to valve cover) to fail... so it is probably a 95%+ chance it was due to the tube seals.

 

[blkprj80]

You might want to check the seals to be sure they are installed right side up.

Also check your PCV valve. If it's plugged, you could be building excessive crankcase pressure and pushing oil past those seals.

 

[baldilocks]

I installed the seals while referring to the FSM and the way they were installed by the engine builder 15k miles ago. It seems odd to me that the seals failed this soon. I sucked on the pcv valve and it opened pretty easily. I will run it and hope the new OEM seals did the trick. This is the first thread I started on here and even though I got your replies i don't see my thread title in 80 series tech. Did i post somewhere else?? Thanks

 

[inkpot]

Is there actaully a "seal" on the bottom end of the spark plug tube? I always figured it just pressed into the head. Regardless, I have helped do a lot of valve cover reseals, and I have never found a loose tube yet. John

 

[baldilocks]

Thats a good question John. In my first post i mention info i read online from a "professional" mechanic who spoke of anaerobic sealant used around the bottom of the tubes. Seems to me Toyota would freeze the tubes prior to install so there is an interference fit that required no sealants. I am happy that no one has told me the tubes leak regularly!

 

[inkpot]

I think if the seals in the valve cover are fresh that they will keep the tube well seated.

 

[baldilocks]

Time will tell.

 

[bonestock]

Here's a bump to this oldie... Anyone have a part number for the spark plug tube itself? I, too, searched using a popular search engine and was only able to find the gaskets that go on the topside of the tubes at the valve cover. There are some pretty sophisticated parts guru's on here that will hopefully stumble across this request.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Nikofzj80]

Here's a bump to this oldie... Anyone have a part number for the spark plug tube itself? I, too, searched using a popular search engine and was only able to find the gaskets that go on the topside of the tubes at the valve cover. There are some pretty sophisticated parts guru's on here that will hopefully stumble across this request.

Thanks in advance!

I would like to know that PN also!

 

[BILT4ME]

I would like to know that PN also!

These are pressed in parts and not available separately.

 

[FJ80Mad]

I have a plug I cannot get out and am doing the valve cover gasket and plug seals and am hoping to pull the plug tube and get it out? any ideas would be much appreciated.

 

[Kernal]

Are you saying there is a spark plug you can't unscrew, or there's a spark plug boot down inside the tube that you can't get loose from the spark plug, or???

Some previous discussions:

Build - Going to meet my new 80

Made a beach run to PINS today. Looks like you got a major award!?

forum.ih8mud.com

Can't get spark plug out.

So some idiot had the o ring pull out of the spark plug socket on this engine and just left it there and shoved the wire down over it. Now I have the tip of the wire out but the rubber down in there from the socket broke down and is in a million pieces. Suggestions?

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[FJ80Mad]

Are you saying there is a spark plug you can't unscrew, or a plug wire connector down inside the tube that you can't get loose from the spark plug, or???can't get a socket on it to unscrew it, I tried air, brake cleaner, pick, fire(not a good idea), pick

 

[FJ80Mad]

i have tried everything to get the plug out some thing is down there not letting me get a socket on it. its squishy but it wont allow a socket to seat on the plug.

 

[Kernal]

OK, so sounds like the spark plug wire boot broke off and is stuck on the spark plug? Is there a missing boot from one of the spark plug wires you pulled off the spark plugs?

Read the links in post #13 above, there's been a few tips on how to get at the boot, a long pair of narrow needle nose pliers or hemostats or hooks/pics attempting to grab what's remaining down in the tube. Or if you can't get a good grab onto the old boot you might try grinding it up first with a 7/8" hole saw attached to a drill. Do a test fit on a spare spark plug of the same brand/type first to make sure the hole saw can't get past the spark plug hex. That might sound like a crazy idea but if using the correct size hole saw it should bottom out on the spark plug hex before it gets to the head. It doesn't take any pressure at all to grind up the rubber, but try the other methods first. Then use compressed air or a shop vac to blow (or suck) the particles out of the tube before you attempt to remove the plug. IIRC I may have also used a propane torch to try to melt/destroy the boot then pull or blow the pieces out.