Hi, I was just about to replace my spark plugs a leads but found the spark plug and cap furthest to the left to be covered in oil, also there is oil on the back left of the engine from the stop. Do I have an oil leak from the rocker cover or is it possible it could be oil spilt, last oil change was about a year ago?



Any ideas?

Pictures don't really do it justice!

Thanks Carl

It's almost certain to find oil in the No 1 plug hole. It's due to spills from the oil filler just above. Equally it's unusual to find one of these cars that isn't leaking from the rocker cover.
Tip for putting plugs back. Use a foot of garden hose to get them in and started. You'll have much more control and less risk of crossing threads.

Yeah, cheers mate, I think it is from split oil and remember spilling quite a lot previously as it what my first oil change.

Good idea I was trying to work out the best way to it earlier!

crossing threads, im certain thats a myth i've worked on plenty and never had this so-called issue of cross-threading. unless you are really careless then make sure you got a superglue to glue it back in, no one will ever know

Use a cheapo supermarket funnel next time for filling

Or an empty soft drink bottle with the top cut off.

If you put the plugs back in with your fingers until you can feel the threads engaging and don't overtighten, the plug threads will be fine.

If you get a Wide Capped Lucozade bottle, its a nice fit

if you get the narrow "bottle cap" style, it'll be worse and flop about

But a heavily leaking rocker cover - which alot do do, it'll slowly fill plugs up if it isn't burnt off when running

ziggy

also remember to pour it in slow, 8V's are buggers for spitting it back out if you pour too fast

dave said:

also remember to pour it in slow, 8V's are buggers for spitting it back out if you pour too fast

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Taking dipstick out i find helps

The car can then burp a little easier

Ziggy

dave said:

also remember to pour it in slow, 8V's are buggers for spitting it back out if you pour too fast

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The old bravas/Os 16v were the best for that they used to gurgle then spit the oil back out at you

Slightly off topic but your alternater belt looks past it's best as it looks to have a crack between the ribs. For the price of the belt best to do it whilst you are doing the service.

darashen said:

Slightly off topic but your alternater belt looks past it's best as it looks to have a crack between the ribs. For the price of the belt best to do it whilst you are doing the service.

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Idealy yes - it does need replacing, but you tend to find alot of punto's on original belts at like 80K
Hardly ever get changed, hardly ever break or slip

When the slip - you know about it

Ziggy

darashen said:

Slightly off topic but your alternater belt looks past it's best as it looks to have a crack between the ribs. For the price of the belt best to do it whilst you are doing the service.

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my alternator belt is far worse than his and still going strong as we speak!

flisko said:

my alternator belt is far worse than his and still going strong as we speak!

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give that another 12 months or so and itll be a half of belt then youll know about it

change your avatar pic it is scary

when alternator belts do go they often smash cam belt cover and jam cam belt at the same time, stop being tight and change them.

dave said:

when alternator belts do go they often smash cam belt cover and jam cam belt at the same time, stop being tight and change them.

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how you know

flisko said:

how you know

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i'm old i know lots of things

It's a well known issue in renault engines that the aux belt can take out the cambelt when it brakes up. Renault engines are interference so it wrecks the top end of the engine and costs at least £500 at an independent garage. Not worth the risk for the sake of a few quid and 5 minutes work

Obviously less of a risk on the 8v fire engine as non interference so just retime and put new belts on but still a pain.

darashen said:

Obviously less of a risk on the 8v fire engine as non interference so just retime and put new belts on but still a pain.

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you missed out get out of broken car in fast lane, get breakdown truck out to take car home, wait in dark and rain for the truck to arrive get car home too late to work on it, find a way to get to work and get parts with no car, then just retime and fit new belt