busted oil ring help

[Dr3w2k5]

so ive got a busted oil ring for sure (oil on spark plug threads) and im looking for parts list help. Not experienced in the internal components yet, but i assume a valve cover gasket, O-ring, and anything else. Also should i just get the whole side done since hes gonna be there anyways or not cost worthy?

Thanks in advance

Andrew

[michcougar]

1 valve cover gasket
1 tube of liquid gasket maker
3 spark plug gaskets

Depending on if your UIM has ever been taken off or not, you may want to get UIM gaskets at the same time.

[B3NN3TT]

Originally Posted by michcougar

1 tube of liquid gasket maker

Every valve cover I've ever pulled had no sealant on it. Just the silicon valve cover gaskets.

So why the sealant?

[Blackcoog]

Originally Posted by B3NN3TT

Every valve cover I've ever pulled had no sealant on it. Just the silicon valve cover gaskets.

So why the sealant?

You are supposed to use silicon in a few spots under the valve cover. The gasket has flat spots in it indicating where it needs to have silicone under it.

[Joemm]

Originally Posted by Dr3w2k5

so ive got a busted oil ring for sure (oil on spark plug threads) and im looking for parts list help. Not experienced in the internal components yet, but i assume a valve cover gasket, O-ring, and anything else. Also should i just get the whole side done since hes gonna be there anyways or not cost worthy?

Thanks in advance

Andrew

Before you pull the engine apart, how did you confirm it was the rings?

Yes it could be piston rings but could also be valves, valve guides, valve oil seals.

Did you try a dry and wet compression test? How about a cylinder leak down test? Is there blue-white smoke coming from the exhaust? Are you losing oil (on the dipstick)? How many miles?

All these can help pinpoint the problem before you start replacing parts.

Another trick is to replace the oily plug with a clean one and recheck after a short period of running (maybe after a short drive). Is the whole plug oily or just one side? If only one side, it could indicate oil infiltrating the cylinder from a preferential direction like the valve system (guide/seal) and not the piston.

Again, few bucks on diagnosis can save you hundreds in repair.

Finally...

if it is the rings that need replacement, replace ALL piston rings and not just one piston or one side! Also replace the rod bearings and accesible oils seals etc. You may even want to consider replacing the main bearings.

The reason is the real cost of this job is the labor and time; so, replacing ALL you can while you have the engine torn down will ultimately save you! If one set of rings, valve seals, etc. is bad than others likely are or soon will be.

Good Luck

[B3NN3TT]

Joe - I think he was only talking about the o-ring on the valve cover, not the piston ring...

that was my understanding when I replied, anyway.

[Blackcoog]

Yup, the thread title is a bit misleading.

[Dr3w2k5]

yeah sry if it is a bit misleading. I had to change my spark plugs and wires bout a month back and realized that a spark plug had oil from the threads to the connecter for the socket but NOT on the node. I asked then and majority of the replies were a bad oil-ring (terminal - not sure if that is supossed to be there) ive tried finding some reading material on the subject but have been unsuccessful. the oil on the plug is on the V end closes to the firewall. I also have an oil leak comming from that area, i know this because i have cleaned and inspected it twice and always the same area. Cant tell exactly where it is, but its becoming bad and school starts back in august. im not 100% positive it is the o-ring.

Heres some info
I leak oil regulary, for a month i lost about a quart. but lately its maybe 1/2 quart or so. I have 120k miles. and yes i believe i am talking about the o-ring on the valve cover and not the piston ring, other wise im sure i would be having larger problems than the oil leak and oil on spark plug. I think the oil leak maybe from a bad valve cover gasket because when i reach around to the side closes to the fire wall i always can grab a bit of oil w/same color as the oil at the current time. such as clear if i just changed it.

Hope this help and sry again!

[Joemm]

Originally Posted by B3NN3TT

Joe - I think he was only talking about the o-ring on the valve cover, not the piston ring...

that was my understanding when I replied, anyway.

Guess I way headed down the wrong trail with my answer!

Really though, an oil leak is WAY better than burning oil so that's good news.

Good luck in the repair!

[Dr3w2k5]

yeah no worries about your answer i appreciate it. Yeah except the oil is leaking onto the exhaust so i guess im burning it rofl. So would you say that the oil ring in the valve is most plausible? i guess i wont know for sure untill i get it looked at.