new dilema same freelander!!!

hi all well didn't think i would be posting up yet another problem quite so bloody soon i have an unusual oil leak, i have oil covering my spark plugs so i was thinking either valve stem oil seals have gone or piston ring's but here is where it is confusing me its only mainly on no 4 and is also on top of the plug [inside the spark plug well] covering the ceramic part, there is quite alot both on the top and inside, basically when i pull the plug out its dripping with oil, it was suggested to me that my cam cover was at fault and was leaking but i have checked that and also put a dab of sealant around each hole on the rocker cover [ yes i no not that wise to do] but was doing it to rule that out. engine is cutting out a lot as soon as its hot and then is a bugger to start again till i have pulled the dripping plug out and cleaned it. loosing my bloody mind now if my rings are gone:fighting: anybody had this or have a suggestion that doesn't include petrol and my lighter.

Won't be the rings unless it's done 150,000 + miles, skipped many oil changes or been run without an air filter for many miles. It's most likely the cam cover gasket, inlet valve guide oil seals or the cam carrier to head joint failed. The latter isn't so likely unless the cams have more removed at some point and the wrong sealant been used on reassembly.

Agree with Nodge, cam cover gasket.
Happened to mine, except it only oiled up one of the plug wells.
Are you able to look down the well? On the V6 (no idea about the 1.8) you can see the join between the cam carrier and the head, so if it's leaking there you may be able to tell.

[edit]
Also, check the end of the plug lead. Mine was arcing and causing a hot spot which is what cooked the gasket.
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thanks for quick response buddy, i have taken it for a run after i put up this post and its getting up to temp then rough idle /misfire then stop.. pull no4 plug out its soaking in oil at both ends clean it up and it will after a fashion start and run but not for long, was thinking this problem was also tied in with a faulty tps?? anyway my confusion is with how is the oil [ if it is coming from above and not below[piston ring] how is it getting past spark plug and onto the bottom of the plug???????? i do have another hear that has new valve stem seals ect so will prob just drop on other head and hope that solves all issues, its done 135k so i really cannot rule out piston rings however your remarks offer a better solution so i am going with that lol:bowl:

bukko said:

Agree with Nodge, cam cover gasket.
Happened to mine, except it only oiled up one of the plug wells.
Are you able to look down the well? On the V6 (no idea about the 1.8) you can see the join between the cam carrier and the head, so if it's leaking there you may be able to tell.

[edit]
Also, check the end of the plug lead. Mine was arcing and causing a hot spot which is what cooked the gasket.
[/edit]

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It is only really happening to no4, i can see the join and there is no visual sign of oil only the pool at the bottom around the plug

err
the hole where the sparkplug sits is filling up with oil due (probably) to a leaking cam cover gasket. When you unscrew the plug, the oil runs down onto the rest of the plug as you pull it out.

Dont go swapping heads etc. Its a simple, easy fix.

sorry haven't explained myself fully sometimes there is no oil "on top" but when you pull the plug it is soaking in oil [looks like it was dipped in the stuff] i have ran some sealant round the plug hole's but it is still cutting out and there is still oil top and bottom!!! can the oil get passed the plug?? also what is the correct sealant to use for the join between parts on head? thanks for all the response's guy's really helpful and all comments valued.

There's no way that the plug is getting that oiled in the combustion chamber. If it was, the car would dissappear in a smoke screen!!.
As said above, the oil is simply running over the electrodes when removed. The only place where oil can get into the plug hole is, the cam cover gasket or the cam carrier joint. If it's getting lots of oil in a short time, I suspect it's the latter.

i am pretty sure there is no sign of oil at the top or at the join its all at the bottom of the hole. whats the best way forward with this then? as i am going with your suggestion's first seeing as you lot no way more than me do i remove cam carrier and re-seal with correct sealant? or is there another way??

Check it out first. Run the engine and watch where the oil is coming from if you can. It might be worth popping the cam cover off to check the cam retaining bolts are at 25Nm. Also see if RTV has been used in a previous strip down. If RTV is evident, I'd do a rebuild of the cam carrier.

Edit. TRV should have been RTV. Corrected

have checked bolts are at correct tightness not very easy to see where oil is coming from as there isnt any real sign of oil present above spark plug hole's within the plug hole. what is the correct sealant i need to use on that join?? thanks for all your help

How tight are you doing the spark plug up?

It's possible the oil is getting forced up out of the plug hole if the spark plug isnt seating. However you would have plumes of smoke out of the exhuast as oil gets burnt up.

Come on - there is NO WAY that much oil is coming up from the cylinder unless there is a hole in the piston.

adrianscarff said:

have checked bolts are at correct tightness not very easy to see where oil is coming from as there isnt any real sign of oil present above spark plug hole's within the plug hole. what is the correct sealant i need to use on that join?? thanks for all your help

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Is there evidence of silicone sealer around the cam housing? This normally leaves evidence that looks like a worm at the joints. If this is visible, the wrong sealant has been used. The housing should use an Anaerobic sealer like Loctite 574. Silicone, whilst a good general purpose sealer, isn't correct for this application.

dave21478 said:

Come on - there is NO WAY that much oil is coming up from the cylinder unless there is a hole in the piston.

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100% agreed

Nodge68 said:

Is there evidence of silicone sealer around the cam housing? This normally leaves evidence that looks like a worm at the joints. If this is visible, the wrong sealant has been used. The housing should use an Anaerobic sealer like Loctite 574. Silicone, whilst a good general purpose sealer, isn't correct for this application.

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Have checked what you have said above and there is evidence of silicone being used and today after a good [ish] run i saw oil that seemed to be weeping from the side right where the cam carrier join's so you are bang on with your theory, best solution now i guess is to re-build cam carrier using loctite 574??. thanks Nodge68 and all you other guys for all useful comments its all been very helpful i will update thread with images and outcome when the wife lets me play:bounce:

adrianscarff said:

Have checked what you have said above and there is evidence of silicone being used and today after a good [ish] run i saw oil that seemed to be weeping from the side right where the cam carrier join's so you are bang on with your theory, best solution now i guess is to re-build cam carrier using loctite 574??. thanks Nodge68 and all you other guys for all useful comments its all been very helpful i will update thread with images and outcome when the wife lets me play:bounce:

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It's a good opportunity to change the cam belt and can oil seals while you are there. Loctite 574 is the stuff to use. Good luck and post lots of pictures to help others

already got new belt ect, was due anyhow so will get spanners and camera going asap then update.. thanks