Spark Plug tubes

Predator · Post by **Predator** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 6:00 pm

I did some research and found out that the oil on my threads is from tube coming up or bad gaskets. But my question is if I wanted to replace the grommets at the bottom of the spark plug tube, do I have to replace the spark plug tubes themselves???? The FSM calls for it but I just cant understand why, anyone else have some experience or another opinion? Thanks!

quicksilvr · Post by **quicksilvr** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 9:01 pm

The FSM says to replace the tubes, because they assume that they will get damaged (bent, cracked, etc) in the removal process, and since the tubes are a cheap part for the dealership, the mechanics just yank the old tubes out with no regard to keeping them in good shape...planing on putting new ones in.

You could re-use yours if you take them out carefully (which IS kind of hard) and then examine them and find them to be straight, round, solid, etc.

turbodudey · Post by **turbodudey** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 12:31 am

The tubes are pressed directly into the head. There is not a separate gasket sealing the bottom of the tubes. When you hammer the tubes into the head they are deformed at the bottom end, so naturally when you pull them out they will need to be relpaced. You could try turning them upside down and pressing the fresh end into the head, but then the top end would be the smashed end and might not seal in the VC...

Post by **occasional demons** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 12:42 am

If they are coming up on their own, usually they pullout easily. (mine did) I only pulled the two that were loose. there wasn't any damage so I cleaned the bore of oil and degreased with carb cleaner then lightly sanded the bore/tubes applied loc-tite (red) and tapped them in with a small hammer and a piece of 2x4 on the end of the tube. The FSM tells to use red loc-tite anyway on the new tubes. But if they're damaged they're only about $7 each. So far, mine are doing fine. I only reused mine because I was short on time. Didn't want to wait till Monday to see if they were even in stock.

quicksilvr · Post by **quicksilvr** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 2:32 am

turbodudey wrote:The tubes are pressed directly into the head. There is not a separate gasket sealing the bottom of the tubes. When you hammer the tubes into the head they are deformed at the bottom end, so naturally when you pull them out they will need to be relpaced. You could try turning them upside down and pressing the fresh end into the head, but then the top end would be the smashed end and might not seal in the VC...

I could swear there are seals at the bottom of the tubes....what am I picturing if there aren't?

Predator · Post by **Predator** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 10:46 am

I think they are, maybe for just the 2000-2001 model because I got this valve cover gasket kit that comes with the valve cover gasket, spark plug tube seals and grommets... The one I got before was for the wrong year and onlt had the valve cover gasket and spark plug tube seals, it was only $20. This one I am getting is $32... So I assume there is something at the bottom of the tubes, the grommets?

nate-00neon · Post by **nate-00neon** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 12:50 pm

for my 2000 there are no seals.
one day 3 of my tubes decided that they wanted to get loose and spray oil all over my hood.
i thought that it was just the valve cover gasket at first but when i take the cover off the 3 tubes come with it.
this was during the week so we called the dealer and they said that they SHOULD be replaced.
im sure if they seem to be fine then you could leave then like others above did.
but they said nothing about any seal down there. they are just pressed in. i carefully took a rubber mallet and tapped them in. i havent had any problems sense.
$7 for a tube

good luck, shouldnt be too hard to fix

Predator · Post by **Predator** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 12:38 am

Oh yeah I took a look at a picture of what I am getting and I know what the grommets are for, they are for the bolts. Yeah it shouldn't be hard to do this, just need to pick up some loc-tite. Thanks guys!

nate-00neon · Post by **nate-00neon** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 12:42 am

np. i hope it works out for you...i havent had any problems yet and its been 6000 miles or more

infil · Post by **infil** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 1:55 pm

none of the neons run an actual seal at the bottom of the plug tube, its an interferance fit.

When you pull em out, make sure you get all the oil residue off teh tube with brakleen, solvent or something similar, dry them thoroughly, and use a high quality anerobic sealant on the bottom of the tubes, them smack em into the head with either a rubber dead blow or block of wood on the top of the tube with a ball peen.

Hondabond, Copper RTV or the mopar bedplate sealant work quite well and will make sure the oil problem is solved.

If the tubes are bowed at the top, whcih does tend to happen pretty regularly, spend the 10 bucks and get a new set of tubes from the dealer.

Predator · Post by **Predator** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 3:46 pm

Actually I decided not to pull the tubes and just made sure they were tight and replace all the other gaskets, tube seals, valve cover gasket and the grommets for the bolts. Though this is all very good information to have, thanks guys!

nate-00neon · Post by **nate-00neon** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 5:28 pm

were the tubes loose when you pulled the valve cover off?

Predator · Post by **Predator** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 5:29 pm

No, they were nice and tight.

nate-00neon · Post by **nate-00neon** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 5:31 pm

but they were leaking oil?
was there oil on your spark plug tubes (the part that oes into the head)?

Predator · Post by **Predator** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 12:26 pm

Oh well that oil came from the tube seal on the top of the valve cover, now I got nice new ones the create a nice tight seal.

nate-00neon · Post by **nate-00neon** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 3:17 pm

ahh
see i had a simmilar problem where my actual tubes came loose and then made me leak oil cuz it came in from the bottom of the tubes lol
not the seals on the valve cover.

you had the easier fix

Post by **occasional demons** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 3:30 pm

I would still check the plugs every oil change, they can still leak through the bottom even if they're snug.

kicknaoffroad · Post by **kicknaoffroad** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 10:39 pm

just my 2 cents on using loctite, but even though the fsm says to use red loctite, i would recomend using (loctite 648 press fit). i'm sure the red stuff which is the high strength works fine. but it is intended for use on threads. the 648 (which is green) is made for for a press fit and would better suit our application. its good stuff we use it at work all the time in situations like this. so if you dont already have red and need to go out and buy some loctite anyway it might be worth the extra assurance to get the 648

Predator · Post by **Predator** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 8:32 am

Hey good idea Kickanoffroad thanks for the information!!

nate-00neon · Post by **nate-00neon** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 10:40 am

hmm i did not know that...im hoping mine done come out again