1994 530i has oil on spark plugs

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txguy07 - 20 Apr 2006 05:07 GMT

I was changing the spark plugs for the first time on my 94 BMW 530i, I
just got it about 9 months back, and this is mt 1st BMW so I wasn't
sure what to expect. Well when I got the covers off I saw oil on and
around the spark plugs and in the slot the spark plugs go in and was
confused. I don't know whether it is supposed to be like that or
whether it doesn't affect anything or whether something is wrong with
the car and if so what is wrong with it? I just got an oil change like
4 days ago and was thinking that maybe thst has something to do with it
because the oil on the spark plugs looked new. And after I changed the
spark plugs it smoked quite a bit, but I figured that it was from the
oil on the spark plugs that it was burning.I would really appreciate
any help that I can get, I really hope that nothing serious is wrong
with my car. Thanks alot in advance.

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Stand Up Old - 20 Apr 2006 06:52 GMT

>I was changing the spark plugs for the first time on my 94 BMW 530i, I
> just got it about 9 months back, and this is mt 1st BMW so I wasn't
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> any help that I can get, I really hope that nothing serious is wrong
> with my car. Thanks alot in advance.

sounds like someone spilled some oil when filling up.

the smoke was from the oil going into the cylinders when you took the plugs
out.

just keep an eye on things

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John Burns - 20 Apr 2006 11:47 GMT

You need to change the valve cover gaskets unless it's just a tiny
amount. This is a surprisingly awkward job on the V8. There's a good
article on www.e38.org.

> I was changing the spark plugs for the first time on my 94 BMW 530i, I
> just got it about 9 months back, and this is mt 1st BMW so I wasn't
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> any help that I can get, I really hope that nothing serious is wrong
> with my car. Thanks alot in advance.

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Fred W - 20 Apr 2006 12:48 GMT

> I was changing the spark plugs for the first time on my 94 BMW 530i, I
> just got it about 9 months back, and this is mt 1st BMW so I wasn't
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> any help that I can get, I really hope that nothing serious is wrong
> with my car. Thanks alot in advance.

This is a common situation on the V8 engines. The rubber valve cover
gaskets harden with age. You will need to remove and replace them.
There is a large outer one and a smaller inner one on each head. Also
each bolt has a rubber donut that will need to be replaced. It's not
that hard of a job, just time consuming.

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-Fred W

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Mike - 24 Apr 2006 03:58 GMT

not a serious problem so long as it's caught in time.....it's a valve cover
gasket. can develop into a very $ problem if not renewed right away. Mike

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