Oily Probe.

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Sun 11 Mar 2001 12:26
Oily Probe. - Andy Gordon
I have just e mailed HJ about my Probe - 94 24V 67K miles - which seldom gets used as I work in London and commute. I checked the last couple of services and the plugs had not been changed so i decided to look. easier said than done, they live at the bottom of very deep holes and I do not have the right tools, however the bottom of three of the plug cap "tubes" had oil on them?? The car does rattle initially on first start up after a week but goes quiet immediately. There is some blue smoke for about thirty seconds which then stops. I pulls like a train and haas never failed a ticket, is it doomed? any ideas where oil is from?

Oh nd what on earth type of tool do you need to get to the plugs?
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Sun 11 Mar 2001 15:58
Re: Oily Probe. - Andrew Moorey (Tune-Up Ltd.)
The oil is seeping into the plug tubes from the cam chests. It's going to take a fair bit of dismantling to solve the problems but is worth it as eventually the oil will cause misfiring.
To get the plugs out you will need more professional type tools, a slim plug socket and the correct length extension. Try Mac Tools, Britool or if you are feeling flush, Snap-On. Your local garage will have at least one of these franchises calling on a weekly basis to their premises. The little bit of oil smoke on start up is probably seeping past the valve stem oil seals and is nothing to be too concerned about yet. The rattle is simply the hydraulic tappets pumping up with oil, there is not much you can do about it, check that a genuine filter is fitted, but as long as the noise disappears instantly, don't worry.
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Sun 25 Mar 2001 12:31
Re: Oily Probe. - Andy Gordon
Thanks andrew,
probably seemed ungrateful but just lost the link on pc.

think what i will do is get quote from ford and maybe mazda to do whilst servicing. or take a few days off and prepare to get grubby.

Honest john reckens the valve stem seals may be worn too. but Ive heard that this is not a diy by any stretch - never mind it goes ok - very underrated motor.

thanks for your input andy
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