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Oil on spark plug

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Old Aug 2, 2010 | 11:23 AM
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Default Oil on spark plug

So yesterday i was changing out my plugs, but on one of the plugs (passenger side, closest to firewall) had oil on the threads and fouling on the electrode. Is this a sign of a bad headgasket or cylinder rings, or another issue? I have 65k now, and have all the records for oil changes, some done at dealer and most done on my own. That said i should be under the powertrain warr right? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

-Richard
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Old Aug 2, 2010 | 11:41 AM
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You're still under powertrain warranty which is 72 months or 70K miles. Is it cylinder #4? The dealer has my IS-350, still waiting on parts. It had a broken valve spring on cylinder #4. Lexus announced a recall on this issue in early July.

Here's my story: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...ng-recall.html

I know of at least 1 other IS-350 owner who had a broken valve spring in this forum. I would get it checked if I were you.
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Old Aug 2, 2010 | 12:51 PM
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Originally Posted by hengkoy
You're still under powertrain warranty which is 72 months or 70K miles. Is it cylinder #4? The dealer has my IS-350, still waiting on parts. It had a broken valve spring on cylinder #4. Lexus announced a recall on this issue in early July.

Here's my story: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...ng-recall.html

I know of at least 1 other IS-350 owner who had a broken valve spring in this forum. I would get it checked if I were you.
Not sure what cylinder # it would be considered but it is on passenger side, closest to the firewall. Still waiting for recall notice from lexus to bring in. I may just call my dealer to see if i can expedite. Thanks!
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Old Aug 4, 2010 | 07:11 AM
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I just called Lexus 1-800-255-3987 and confirmed there is a recall on the valve spring. gave them my vin # and they said mine was part of the recall. The rep. said they are in process of sending letters out to those affected.
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Old Aug 4, 2010 | 07:40 AM
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Originally Posted by ONEdirty23
So yesterday i was changing out my plugs, but on one of the plugs (passenger side, closest to firewall) had oil on the threads and fouling on the electrode. Is this a sign of a bad headgasket or cylinder rings, or another issue? I have 65k now, and have all the records for oil changes, some done at dealer and most done on my own. That said i should be under the powertrain warr right? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

-Richard
I know on other Toyota engines that this is a sign of a leaking spark plug tube seal, but I am not 100% on these engines...should have nothing to do with the valve spring recall, just another oil seal...
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Old Aug 6, 2010 | 09:27 AM
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Is this also an issue on IS250? I had the same problem on my 2006. Oil on the driver side spark plug closest to the front of the car. Plug looked fine otherwise.

After researching, I thought it was due to bad oil seal. Still haven't gotten it fixed yet...
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Old Aug 6, 2010 | 10:10 AM
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spark plug tube seal leak doesn't get onto the electrode, it goes on the outside of the plug. Most likely a valve stem seal (oil seal?). Less likely is the piston ring, and it shouldn't be head gasket (you'll see coolant stain instead).
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Old Aug 6, 2010 | 11:18 AM
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A leaking spark plug tube seal leaks oil down the spark plug, sometimes covering the electrode...a leaking valve stem seal typically drips a small amount of oil on top of the piston head, depending on the design of the combustion chamber (usually results in a blue-ish puff of smoke when first starting)
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