[timbits]

I went out for a drive in my (new to me) 968 today and when I was starting out it barely started. It would crank just fine but wasn't getting good combustion. It did stumble to life after some prolonged cranking. I was just going across town to the grocery store so I figured that I'd chance it not starting at all the next time. Leaving the store it started up just fine.



So when I got home I figured the first thing to check would be to check the condition of the spark plugs since I was figuring they could stand to be replaced regardless. The spark plugs are definitely ready to be replaced but more disturbing was that the plugs from the #2 and #3 cylinders (the middle two) were covered in oil. Which probably explains why she was so hard to start when cold.



I did some searching here and see that it could be worn spark plug seals (http://www.paragon-products.com/product_...443.08.htm). Does this sound like a likely culprit? Or does it sound like there is something more serious going on?



I've done a lot of wrenching on my Discovery, but not on my 968 (yet). Is replacing the spark plug seals a big job? If not what needs to be done to replace them?



Thanks,

Tim

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[saxman]

where on the spark plug was there oil? on the electrode? on the threads? on the base? etc

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[PorscheDude]

You need to pull the cam cover to replace the spark plug seals.

Buy a complete cam cover gasket set (apprx. $85). It will have all the seals you need. You will need a dab of RTV in the 4 corners of the cam cover gasket itself.

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[timbits]

[quote name='saxman' post='47233' date='Feb 11 2008, 01:18 AM']where on the spark plug was there oil? on the electrode? on the threads? on the base? etc[/quote]



The oil was just on the threads. Everything else appeared to be dry.

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[Tom in Austin]

If you haven't already, try your spare DME relay. When they go south you get an intermittent no-start and can be stranded ... not worth risking for a few $



Just one of the little 968 tricks everyone needs to know.



And yes, by all means keep oil of the plug tubes. When you have the cover off take a close look at the teeth on the cams where the chain runs. If any of them are missing, or noticeably worn, you have another problem.

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[PorscheDude]

[quote name='Tom in Austin' post='47286' date='Feb 11 2008, 03:00 PM']When you have the cover off take a close look at the teeth on the cams where the chain runs. If any of them are missing, or noticeably worn, you have another problem.[/quote]



That will make someone lose some sleep. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/blink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[timbits]

[quote name='Tom in Austin' post='47286' date='Feb 11 2008, 12:00 PM']If you haven't already, try your spare DME relay. When they go south you get an intermittent no-start and can be stranded ... not worth risking for a few $



Just one of the little 968 tricks everyone needs to know.



And yes, by all means keep oil of the plug tubes. When you have the cover off take a close look at the teeth on the cams where the chain runs. If any of them are missing, or noticeably worn, you have another problem.[/quote]



Since I don't have a spare DME relay I'll be sure to get one ordered just in case this is part of my problem here. (I'm starting to learn all the little tricks I need to know <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> )



Any thoughts on why there is oil on the spark plugs? Is it for sure the spark plug seals or are there other possible problems I should be looking at here?



~Tim

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[saxman]

just on the threads sounds like spark plug seals to me

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[PorscheDude]

Seals

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[timbits]

[quote name='saxman' post='47356' date='Feb 11 2008, 11:54 PM']just on the threads sounds like spark plug seals to me[/quote]



Cool. Thanks for the confirmation <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



I was looking around for the cam cover gasket set but I didn't see any complete sets. Pelican Parts looks like they have individual pieces for this but I'm not sure exactly what I would need for this job. Could someone help me in figuring out exactly what I'd need to replace the seals here?



Also is there anything more to this job beyond pulling the cover off and replaceing the seals? I haven't done any work on the engine here yet so I'd really appreciate some pointers to make sure I don't mess anything up.



~Tim

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[PorscheDude]

Here is the link to factory workshop manulas.



http://www.cannell.co.uk/Manuals.



Call Jason @ Paragon. He should be able to get you a seal set.

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[banditsc]

Here is the complete set..

http://www.paragon-products.com/product_p/...4.447.09kit.htm

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[timbits]

[quote name='smokiemon968' post='47372' date='Feb 12 2008, 09:35 AM']Here is the link to factory workshop manulas.



http://www.cannell.co.uk/Manuals.



Call Jason @ Paragon. He should be able to get you a seal set.[/quote]



Thanks for the link here, it helps a lot.





[quote name='banditsc' post='47379' date='Feb 12 2008, 10:02 AM']Here is the complete set..

http://www.paragon-products.com/product_p/...4.447.09kit.htm[/quote]



Ahhh.. there it is. I don't know how I was missing it before.



I *think* this is enough to get me going here. Thanks for all the help getting a newb up to speed.



~Tim

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[PorscheDude]

YW

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[timbits]

One last question...



Is having the spark plug seals leaking likely to cause damage to anything else if I drive just a bit? Obviously this is something to fix ASAP, but I need to get emissions testing and title/registration done and I'd like to get this done sooner rather than later.



Also with this is there oil leaking down into the cylinder and thus getting burned? Would this throw off the emissions test?



~Tim

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[doster]

NO! Maybe! and its possible!

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[stevekat]

When I purchased my 968, I had a extensive PPI done. The car checked out quite well, with some issues to address. When doing the PPI, I had the cams and variocam checked, and they replaced the valve cover seals and the spark plug seals. I flew into Detroit to purchase the car. I drove the car back to the owners home from the shop with him following. On the way home, the car started loosing power and stumbling. We did not do the deal that night. The next morning we nursed the car back to the shop. A few hours later they called and let us know the problem was fixed.



Apparently leaking valve cover oil had become trapped in the spark plug holes in the head, but even after getting it out the car would not start - that was not the actual problem. The oil must have been settled in those barrels for so long, that it seeped between the spark plug insulator and the center conductor. They eventually and luckily discovered you could spin the entire center conductor, within the insulator, on the plugs. It was quite remarkable. They installed new plugs and everything has been fine since. I think I kept the plugs, or a single plug, because I had never seen or heard of such a thing before.

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[PorscheDude]

An important note. If you remove the cam cover yourself, DO NOT over torque the cam cover bolts they will snap. The setting is 7 ft/lbs.

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