Saturn SL1 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

(109)

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

(109)

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 SL1 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
1991 Saturn SL1L4-1.9LService typeOil is leaking into spark plug well InspectionEstimate$114.99Shop/Dealer Price$124.99 - $132.49
1997 Saturn SL1L4-1.9LService typeOil is leaking into spark plug well InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
1999 Saturn SL1L4-1.9LService typeOil is leaking into spark plug well InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
1998 Saturn SL1L4-1.9LService typeOil is leaking into spark plug well InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$104.99 - $112.48
2002 Saturn SL1L4-1.9LService typeOil is leaking into spark plug well InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.02 - $112.55
1996 Saturn SL1L4-1.9LService typeOil is leaking into spark plug well InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
1993 Saturn SL1L4-1.9LService typeOil is leaking into spark plug well InspectionEstimate$99.99Shop/Dealer Price$109.87 - $117.28
1995 Saturn SL1L4-1.9LService typeOil is leaking into spark plug well InspectionEstimate$99.99Shop/Dealer Price$110.24 - $117.94
Show example Saturn SL1 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

(109)

Rating Summary
99
6
1
0
3
99
6
1
0
3

Joshua

27 years of experience
709 reviews
Joshua
27 years of experience
Saturn SL1 L4-1.9L - R&R shift cable - Vallejo, California

Jason

17 years of experience
429 reviews
Jason
17 years of experience
Saturn SL1 L4-1.9L - Serpentine/Drive Belt - Livermore, California
Jason is an incredible asset to 'Your Mechanic". Be good to him, he is a keeper! He was working in the rain, came prepared, had a tent to cover car so he could work. He is unflappable. He perseveres till the job is done. I am certainly recommending 'your mechanic to friends'. Keep up the good work, it will be rewarded. Jason is A++++. Thank you Jason.

Joel

21 years of experience
987 reviews
Joel
21 years of experience
Saturn SL1 L4-1.9L - Serpentine/Drive Belt - Jacksonville, Florida
This is my second time using Your Mechanic with Joel as my technician. He was prompt and very professional and knowledgeable. I have gotten to the point, that Joel will always be first choice.

Joel

21 years of experience
987 reviews
Joel
21 years of experience
Saturn SL1 L4-1.9L - Starter - Jacksonville, Florida
Joel was prompt and very friendly. I've had an extremely bad experience with another mobile mechanic. I pledged not to ever use another . Your website had a melting point, but Joel made me a believer. I most definitely will be a repeat customer.

Excellent Rating

(109)

Rating Summary
99
6
1
0
3
99
6
1
0
3
Number of Saturn SL1 services completed
1199+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT Saturn MECHANICS
700+
experts on our platform

Recent articles & questions

P0078 OBD-II Trouble Code: Exhaust Valve Control Solenoid Circuit (Bank 1)
P0078 P0078 code definition Exhaust Valve Control Solenoid Circuit (Bank 1) What the P0078 code means P0078 is a generic OBD2 code indicating that the Engine Control Module (ECM) has tried to control the Bank 1 exhaust valve control solenoid,...
Child Seat Safety Laws in Michigan
Motor Motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death in the state of Michigan, for adults, and children as well. Adults are required by law to wear seat belts, and they are also required to make sure that...
How to Remove a Broken Car Key From the Ignition
After After many years of use, your car key may break off in the lock. When this happens, it renders the lock unusable until you can get the broken piece out. If your car was already locked when the key...

How do I adjust the height of the head restraints?

The correct height of the head restraints ensures comfort and proper positioning to prevent fatigue and strain on your neck and backs, which is especially important for long trips. The correct positioning is with the center of the head restraint...

Car vibrates/shakes when sitting still in idle (in gear or in neutral).

This sounds as if you have a low idle condition. I can say your car isn't likely to suffer a catastrophic failure because of this. With a condition such as this, it is normal for it to run rougher (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-idle-is-rough-inspection)...

Reputable aftermarket A/C compressor brands

Hey there. The first thing you need to determine is if it is the clutch that is making the noise or the compressor. If the compressor is noisy internally, replacing the clutch won't fix your problem. There are many aftermarket...

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 (855) 347-2779 · hi@yourmechanic.com