Saturn SL Oil is leaking into spark plug well Inspection at your home or office.

Our certified mobile mechanics come to you 7 days a week between 7 AM and 9 PM.

Estimate price near me

Service Location

Customer Ratings

(31)

How A Diagnostic Works

Instantly book a certified mobile mechanic to come to you

Mechanic diagnoses the problem and quotes necessary repairs

Your vehicle is ready to go

Fair, upfront & transparent pricing for all services

Our certified mobile mechanics can come to you now.

Customer Ratings

(31)

Oil is leaking into spark plug well Inspection Service

How much does a Oil is leaking into spark plug well Inspection cost?

On average, the cost for a Saturn SL Oil is leaking into spark plug well Inspection is $95 with $0 for parts and $95 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
1992 Saturn SLL4-1.9LService typeOil is leaking into spark plug well InspectionEstimate$114.99Shop/Dealer Price$124.99 - $132.49
1993 Saturn SLL4-1.9LService typeOil is leaking into spark plug well InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
2002 Saturn SLL4-1.9LService typeOil is leaking into spark plug well InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
2001 Saturn SLL4-1.9LService typeOil is leaking into spark plug well InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$104.99 - $112.48
1995 Saturn SLL4-1.9LService typeOil is leaking into spark plug well InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.02 - $112.55
1998 Saturn SLL4-1.9LService typeOil is leaking into spark plug well InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
1994 Saturn SLL4-1.9LService typeOil is leaking into spark plug well InspectionEstimate$99.99Shop/Dealer Price$109.87 - $117.28
1991 Saturn SLL4-1.9LService typeOil is leaking into spark plug well InspectionEstimate$99.99Shop/Dealer Price$110.24 - $117.94
Show example Saturn SL Oil is leaking into spark plug well Inspection prices

Oil leaking into the spark plug wells is an indictor of a fairly serious problem that should be inspected and repaired immediately. It is almost always due to a failing gasket or O-ring but can also be the result of a failing piston or worn valve guides.

Oil making its way into the spark plug wells will drastically affect the engines performance, leading to misfires, increased oil consumption and blue exhaust. In extreme cases, it can even lead to an engine fire. If the vehicle is exhibiting any of these symptoms, the spark plugs should be inspected immediately.

How this system works:

his issue involves two systems, the spark plugs and the engine lubrication system.

The main function of a spark plug is to ignite the fuel/air mixture in the combustion chamber. Electrical energy is transmitted through the spark plug where it jumps the gap and the spark ignites the gasoline and air mixture. Spark plugs also pull heat out of the combustion chamber, working as a heat exchanger, it pulls thermal energy from the combustion chamber and transfers it to the cooling system.

Engine oil is used to lubricate the moving parts of an engine. The constant moving of the engine parts generates heat, as well as wear and tear. Engine oil helps to minimize the friction and dissipates the heat generated by the engine.

The oil pan is where engine oil is stored. A typical oil pan will hold up to 6 quarts of oil. When the engine starts, the oil pump pulls oil from the oil pan through a part called the pickup tube. The oil then moves to the oil filter, which removes dirt and debris before it is sent to the various parts of the engine via spurt holes. Eventually it heads back to the oil pan to start the process over again.

Common reasons for this to happen:

  • Leaking Valve Cover Gaskets: The valve cover is a metal part found on the top of the engine, which seals the engine and helps prevent oil leaks. Between the valve cover and the engine are gaskets that tend to fail over time. Due to the high temperature of the engine the gaskets can get brittle, and start to leak. It is possible for the oil to leak into the spark plug wells. Leaking valve cover gaskets need to be repaired as quickly as possible, failing to do so can lead to further damage to the engine.

  • Failing O-Ring Seals: There are O-Ring seals at the bottom of the spark plug wells and if a seal starts to fail, oil can leak past these seals and into the spark plug well. Again, this issue should be repaired as soon as possible and the spark plugs should be changed as well.

  • Failing Piston Compression Rings: The pistons in a car’s engine have compression rings at the top of the piston and the bottom. These rings are set in grooves in the piston and help scrape excess oil from the cylinder walls and prevent oil from getting into the combustion chamber. If these rings fail, oil can make its way into the spark plugs wells. Other symptoms of failing compression rings include increased exhaust that is blue and smells oily.

  • Failing Piston: A piston that is running too hot can develop a hole or crack. The most common symptoms of a failing piston include rattle and knocking noises while the car is running, excessive oil burning as well as a loss of power and engine misfiring. It can also lead to oil in the spark plug wells. This is an extremely serious condition that needs to be repaired as soon as possible.

  • Worn Valve Guides: Valve guides help to regulate air intake by keeping the valves in place while the engine is running. Over time, valve guides can become extremely worn and will require replacement. Blue smoke and oil or ash in the spark plug wells is a common symptom of failing valve guides. Worn valve guides can lead to more serious engine problems and should be repaired as soon as possible.

What to expect:

A top-rated mobile mechanic will come to your home or office to determine the source and cause of the Oil in Spark Plug Well issue, ​and will then provide a detailed inspection report that includes the scope and cost of the necessary repairs.

How it's done:

A mechanic will check your valve cover gaskets, O-Ring seals, pistons and other important components. The mechanic may need to crank the car and test drive it to pinpoint the cause of the leak and produce an accurate diagnosis.

How important is this service?

Oil in a spark plug well is a very serious problem that should be repaired as soon as possible. It can do extensive damage to the engine, such as broken or warped pistons and valves. Eventually, if not repaired, the head gasket can result in the fatal destruction of the engine. There is also the potential for an engine fire if the spark plugs ignite the oil.

Fast and easy service at your home or office

Backed by 12-month, 12.000-mile guarantee


Meet some of our expert Saturn mechanics

Real customer reviews from Saturn owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(31)

Rating Summary
28
1
1
0
1
28
1
1
0
1

Joe

43 years of experience
821 reviews
Joe
43 years of experience
Saturn SL L4-1.9L - Car is not starting - Largo, Florida
nice guy

Whitney

39 years of experience
783 reviews
Whitney
39 years of experience
Saturn SL L4-1.9L - Check Engine Light is on - Mountain View, California

William

17 years of experience
95 reviews
William
17 years of experience
Saturn SL L4-1.9L - Valve Cover Gasket - Denver, Colorado
Very knowledgeable mechanic

Joseph

20 years of experience
644 reviews
Joseph
20 years of experience
Saturn SL L4-1.9L - Valve Cover Gasket - Salt Lake City, Utah
He was fast and good, what more could you want?

Excellent Rating

(31)

Rating Summary
28
1
1
0
1
28
1
1
0
1
Number of Saturn SL services completed
341+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT Saturn MECHANICS
700+
experts on our platform

Recent articles & questions

Why Do Cars Have Different Oil Change Intervals?
Car oil change intervals depend on the make, model, and year of the car. The correct type of oil and how the vehicle is used makes a difference too.
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Door Mirror
If a side mirror has its glass broken, cannot be moved or adjusted, or has a heater that is not working, you may need to replace a door mirror.
Understanding Runaway Truck Ramps
Runaway truck ramps slow down and stop trucks that have lost control of their downhill speed.

New battery, no loose cable or corrosion. Car has completely no power. But will start later.

This is often times a sign of a short or a grounding issue. I would recommend checking the black negative battery cable that goes from the battery to the chassis of the car to be sure there is not a...

I've been smelling this urine smell through the air vents 2010 Hyundai Elantra

Hi there - your symptoms sound like you have a coolant leak from the heater core in your Elantra. Hot coolant can have an odd smell. I recommend a heater inspection (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/smell-in-the-car-inspection) performed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as...

Truck has a slight shake at idle in park or in drive at a stoplight

Hello, thank you for writing in. The vehicle is likely having an issue with one of its three main components: air, fuel, and spark. Most vibrations and shaking come from a misfire of some kind. You will want to check...

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (844) 997-3624 · hi@yourmechanic.com