Can You Still Drive If Engine Oil Gets Into the Spark Plugs?
2 Answers
It is not recommended to continue driving if engine oil enters the spark plugs, as it can lead to difficulties in starting, poor acceleration, increased fuel consumption, and other issues. Immediate inspection and replacement of the spark plugs are necessary. Steps for replacing spark plugs: Open the engine hood, remove the plastic cover of the engine, and detach the high-voltage distributor wires. Mark each cylinder's position to avoid confusion. Use a spark plug socket to remove the spark plugs one by one. While removing them, check for any external debris like leaves or dust and ensure they are thoroughly cleaned. Place the new spark plug into the spark plug hole, hand-tighten it a few turns, and then use the socket to tighten it further. Reinstall the removed high-voltage distributor wires according to the firing order, and then secure the cover. Methods to determine if a spark plug is damaged: Remove the spark plug and observe its condition based on the following appearance colors. A normal spark plug's insulator skirt and electrode should appear gray-white, gray-yellow, or light brown. A properly functioning spark plug will have a reddish-brown insulator skirt, with an electrode gap between 0.8-0.9mm and no signs of electrode burn. If the spark plug is contaminated with oil or deposits but is otherwise undamaged, it can be cleaned and reused. If the spark plug is severely damaged, showing signs like blistering, black streaks, cracks, or melted electrodes, the cause of the damage should be identified. After troubleshooting, replace the spark plug with a new one. Additionally, if the spark plug appears black as if smoked, it indicates the wrong heat range was selected or the air-fuel mixture is too rich, causing oil to rise.
It's quite common for spark plugs to get contaminated with engine oil. Having driven for over a decade, I can tell you that you must never continue driving when this happens. Oil leakage significantly weakens the spark plug's ignition capability, causing engine shaking, stalling, and even cylinder seizure leading to engine failure. This usually occurs when oil seeps through worn piston rings or damaged gaskets. Once, I neglected this issue and kept driving for a while, which resulted in black smoke from the engine and an expensive overhaul - a complete waste of money. Now I regularly inspect spark plug wells and oil cap seals to prevent leaks. My advice: if you spot oil contamination, stop immediately and have a professional workshop clean or replace the components. Never risk driving further and compromise safety.
