Spark Plug Tube Seal

pshdars · Post by **pshdars** » 05 May 2025, 10:55

I recently discovered that I have oil in the spark plug tubes for my 2012 Volvo S60. I have purchased replacement seals and I am wondering what techniques people use to remove the oil from the spark plug tubes before replacing the seals and spark plugs?

dikidera · Post by **dikidera** » 05 May 2025, 11:38

I personally use thing rags and a long screwdriver. Then I push in the rags or some end of them inside and it works mostly ok.

pintomerit · Post by **pintomerit** » 07 May 2025, 01:11

I insert the rags or a portion of them, and it functions fairly well.

hu5ker555 · Post by **hu5ker555** » 07 May 2025, 07:03

Had to do this on my '99 Lincoln Navigator a few years back. The cylinder was way out of reach and visibility. Used a gun cleaning rod with a Q tip on the end. Went through at least 100 Q tips. Ugh

Post by **volvolugnut** » 07 May 2025, 08:15

If there is liquid oil, a small tube and a hand vacuum pump can be used to pump out the oil. Most hand vacuum pump kits have a catch tank. Just another use for these very handy tools.
volvolugnut

Vova585 · Post by **Vova585** » 07 May 2025, 08:42

Depends on how clean and fast you would like this job to be. All above suggestions are valid options. In a shop setting mechanic would most likely use compressed air method. Long thin tube attached to the trigger handle and inserted into tube. Place a good absorbing rug on top of the tube and let's the air do it thing. Quick and effective. After removing spark plug(if desired) one can use rug on screwdriver to quickly wipe remaining oil on the walls of the tube and it would be it. If you paid by the book telling you how long this or that job should be taking-you would try to optimize where possible.