BMW M3 Oil is leaking into spark plug well Inspection at your home or office.

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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 BMW M3 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
2011 BMW M3V8-4.0LService typeOil is leaking into spark plug well InspectionEstimate$114.99Shop/Dealer Price$139.99 - $158.75
1989 BMW M3L4-2.3LService typeOil is leaking into spark plug well InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$120.04 - $138.82
2005 BMW M3L6-3.2LService typeOil is leaking into spark plug well InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$120.03 - $138.82
2018 BMW M3L6-3.0L TurboService typeOil is leaking into spark plug well InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$104.99 - $112.48
2002 BMW M3L6-3.2LService typeOil is leaking into spark plug well InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$120.07 - $138.89
2021 BMW M3L6-3.0L TurboService typeOil is leaking into spark plug well InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
2001 BMW M3L6-3.2LService typeOil is leaking into spark plug well InspectionEstimate$99.99Shop/Dealer Price$124.69 - $143.22
2009 BMW M3V8-4.0LService typeOil is leaking into spark plug well InspectionEstimate$99.99Shop/Dealer Price$125.63 - $144.85
Show example BMW M3 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.

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Excellent Rating

(77)

Rating Summary
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5
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Nicholas

11 years of experience
303 reviews
Nicholas
11 years of experience
BMW M3 L6-3.2L - Pre-purchase Car Inspection - Spring, Texas
Mechanic was punctual, polite and did inspection as expected. Overall satisfied. Still I question his less than "very good" rating of brake fluid condition given that brake service had been completed 3,000 mi / 8 months prior to inspection.

Andre

16 years of experience
47 reviews
Andre
16 years of experience
BMW M3 L6-3.2L - Battery - Arlington, Virginia
Excellent and friendly customer service!

Calvin

22 years of experience
22 reviews
Calvin
22 years of experience
BMW M3 L6-3.2L - Pre-purchase Car Inspection - Loganville, Georgia
I booked everything online for a PPI. I was not there but received a full report.

Khoa

20 years of experience
402 reviews
Khoa
20 years of experience
BMW M3 L6-3.2L - Car is not starting - Saratoga, California
Khoa was professional, punctual, and very polite. He also noticed some worn belts that needed to be replaced. Unfortunately he misdiagnosed my issue. The battery was fine (but extremely low). The ground cable was shooting against the frame of the car. He noticed some sparks, but said the ground cable was fine. After buying a new battery at his recommendation, the issue did not go away. I pulled up a piece of rubber lining and saw that the ground wire was compromised in two places. Ended up costing me a couple of additional hours of work due to the misdiagnosis

Excellent Rating

(77)

Rating Summary
70
5
2
0
0
70
5
2
0
0
Number of BMW M3 services completed
847+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT BMW MECHANICS
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