1998 s70 tape around spark plug cover

JRev · Post by **JRev** » 24 Jun 2015, 05:09

I'm starting to now do all my own work when I can and I lifted up the spark plug cover and found a little oil underneath and it looks like the seal to the oil cap is bad, but I just wanted to check that no oil was leaking under the spark plug cover so lifted up a couple of the covers and found them wrapped in black tape which is crumbling to peices! Why would a garage have done that? as I had a garage do my last service and what reason would be there for wrapping the covers in tape?

obayha · Post by **obayha** » 24 Jun 2015, 07:38

Replacing the cap is always a good thing on these cars. I would also check the PCV system to see if it has any problems. Sealing off a pressure relief could cause other problem you don't need.
The tape is just a mystery that may not be solved unless you can get a straight answer from the service person. A guess would be that is a way to keep oil from entering the plugs instead of fixing the problem.
It's great that you want to do your own work. It can save a lot and allow you to do more maintenance. Good information in this forum. Just ask and someone will know the answer.
Shane

JRev · Post by **JRev** » 24 Jun 2015, 07:46

obayha wrote:Replacing the cap is always a good thing on these cars. I would also check the PCV system to see if it has any problems. Sealing off a pressure relief could cause other problem you don't need.
The tape is just a mystery that may not be solved unless you can get a straight answer from the service person. A guess would be that is a way to keep oil from entering the plugs instead of fixing the problem.
It's great that you want to do your own work. It can save a lot and allow you to do more maintenance. Good information in this forum. Just ask and someone will know the answer.
Shane

Thanks Shane, I did think maybe they put tape there to stop oil but that's abit of a shoddy fix! especially as they didn't mention it to me? but it looks like duct tape wrapped around the plastic part of the spark plug cover and its obviously rock hard now from the heat and is disintegrating into pieces, but was curious if its a known temporary fix for anything but am going to remove all the tape as its not meant to be there.

JRev · Post by **JRev** » 24 Jun 2015, 09:49

Took all that shoddy tape off, cleaned up the covers and hoovered inside the spark plug holes as bits had come off and just fired up the car to check everything ok. This is the sort of thing that makes you want to do your own work as at least you know your not going to do dodgy fixes!

obayha · Post by **obayha** » 24 Jun 2015, 11:30

I would still do the glove test or balloon test on the PCV system, as a leaking oil cap can be an indication of problems, other than old cap.
Don't waist money on aftermarket caps. Go blue box and save some time. I don't know how I know that.

Shane
How many miles on your '98?

JRev · Post by **JRev** » 24 Jun 2015, 11:45

obayha wrote:I would still do the glove test or balloon test on the PCV system, as a leaking oil cap can be an indication of problems, other than old cap.
Don't waist money on aftermarket caps. Go blue box and save some time. I don't know how I know that.
Shane
How many miles on your '98?

Coming up to 140,000.

I have an oil/filter change to do and would be a good time to do other jobs so you think I should test the PCV system?

And Shane, don't worry, I hear the warning about aftermarket, I avoid them where possible and try to stick with Genuine or brands like Febi, Gates, Sachs etc.

obayha · Post by **obayha** » 24 Jun 2015, 12:15

Simple test, rubber glove and rubber band over removed oil cap hole. If it inflates, it could be signs of a problem. Write ups are on here and it's not a hard job to do.
@jblackburn did a good writeup on this. Read twice and do the job once. Not read once and do the job twice or more. Don't ask.

Learning curve.
Shane

JRev · Post by **JRev** » 24 Jun 2015, 12:27

Many thanks. I found this vid - which is the test you mention, so will report back if there is a problem, but was thinking it was going be complicated, but I'm sure I can spare a latex glove!

obayha · Post by **obayha** » 24 Jun 2015, 14:30

Yep; That's rspi here on this site. Does a lot on Volvo's. He was traveling around parts of the US, but is usually on here lots.
Shane

Post by **JRL** » 24 Jun 2015, 14:58

You may need someone else (ie a GOOD mechanic) to do the breather, it's not for the inexperienced and I would guess about 110% that it needs to be done ASAP, not later, but now.
You don't need to test it, if there's any amount of oil up there, it's clogged.

And, you don't replace the complete oil cap, it's just the $3.00 seal you replace.