25 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHSpark plug tube replacement
Reported or suspected cause
o rings
Reported cause
No successful repair reported for this finding.
1
Identified cause
0
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that report identifying a cause
1
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0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Reported cause
There have been a few bad tubes, but the most common cause is the O rings.
Leading evidence: 'o rings' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'o rings' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Clean oil off the plugs' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
When the tubes are out, clean the surface on the cam cover very good, lube the new o-rings fitted on new tubes with oil our something of that nature to allow for proper installation.
Install properly they will sit flush into the cam cover
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
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Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
When installed properly they will sit flush into the cam cover.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I had already purchased new tubes and o-rings so I installed the new tubes.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
When I replaced plugs at 90K, I found 3 tubes that had oil in them and all 3 had cracks in the tube causing the leaks.
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0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
When the tubes are out, clean the surface on the cam cover very good, lube the new o-rings fitted on new tubes with oil our something of that nature to allow for proper installation.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
When the tubes are out, clean the surface on the cam cover very good, lube the new o-rings fitted on new tubes with oil our something of that nature to allow for proper installation.
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
I use a device that goes into the tube and expands, then you twist and pull the tube out, by using this method the tubes break/crack about 50% of the time, IMO they should be replaced everytime regardless, its plastic!!.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
25 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
0 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Generation: 20261027T075545Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
I swapped out my plugs this weekend and notice three of the six tubes had minor leaks. I need to order some replacements, but I have two questions:
a) Can I replace the tubes without removing the spark plugs (just being lazy since I just replaced them)
b) I didn't remove the exhaust to do the plug change. Will I need to remove it for the tubes or is there enough clearance?
Thanks,
Shawn
Most likely the leak is from bad O rings. New ones can be purchased from the dealer or you can pick up O rings of the same size at a hardware store.. There is a TSB issued for the O ring problem. Plugs must be removed for access of tubes.
You can pull the spark plug tubes with or without the plugs installed, that is the least of your worrys though, as pulling the spark plug tubes is alot easier said then done most of the time. I use a device that goes into the tube and expands, then you twist and pull the tube out, by using this method the tubes break/crack about 50% of the time, IMO they should be replaced everytime regardless, its plastic!!. Another method is to use a screw driver or pry bar to try and lever them out, but the tight clearances in this area make this method a pain in the butt for most. Some will come right out and some will fight you. Be very carfull not to break the tubes to the extent that plastic debri falls into the cam housing, this could be very bad!! When the tubes are out, clean the surface on the cam cover very good, lube the new o-rings fitted on new tubes with oil our something of that nature to allow for proper installation. When installed properly they will sit flush into the cam cover. Good Luck
Yes you can, but it is a lot easier to have the plugs out so you can grab the inside of the tube farther down to pull out so you don't break them. It also allows you to clean the oil off the plugs.
I replaced my tubes today. I took out the spark plugs and one did break and I cant account for 1/8 around piece of the plastic tube. I look for it but could not find it. What should I do. Should I be worried?
Thanks
I was worried about breaking part of a tube and not being able to fish it out so I used a 1 1/16 tap if I remember correctly to grab the tubes from the inside. I'll check to make sure I have the size right if anyone is interested. In any event, exhaust on, spark plugs in, screwed tap in until whole tube spun. Grabbed end of tap with a pair of vise grips and using a long screw driver as a lever popped them right out super easy. Have photos too if anyone is interested. O rings bad on three tubes. Anything over 3500 rpm and it looked like I was fogging for mosquitos. Would be willing to share and or mail the tap with anyone who wants to use it to do likewise.
Pictures of tap and how I used it to pull the tube and the inside of a tube after removal. Sorry that picture quality isn't the greatest. Not much of a photographer. You can see that the tube doesn't get to stressed from cutting some light threads inside. They could be reused. I had already purchased new tubes and o-rings so I installed the new tubes. Tubes not cracked just bad o-rings.
Boat plug is a good idea. I own a machine shop so just grabbed what was lying around. Heard some just pry out with screwdriver. Didn't want to risk breaking anything that might be hard to retrieve.
I have a 2004 996 C2 and the right side cam cover area is oily with a few drops a week noticeable on my garage floor. I would like to replace the spark plug tubes/O rings first as many have suggested. However, on a related post, someone mentioned a MK2 996 must have the cam cover removed to replace the tubes/o rings...is this correct?
Only under warranty. TSB's identify a
non safety issue
for dealers and tech's and describe the procedure to correct it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technical_Service_Bulletin
