Spark Plug 'Metal Surround' Raised

[OJM]

Has anyone ever come across this before, and more importantly, do you know what has caused it etc...

When I was down at ThinkMINI approx. 1 month ago, Adrian checked my spark plugs for me. When taking out number 4, he noticed that the metal surround in the chamber was raised about 5mm. He's never come across this before, and noticed some oil around the plug as well. He cleared the oil, and gently hammered the metal back down, so it was flush with the top.

Anyway, a month on (considering my car has been in a repair shop for a month, so has probably only had 2 weeks driving in this time), and I noticed the metal has raised up again. Doing the same as Adrian, I gently knocked it back down.

Just checked today (knocked down on Sat), and it seems to still be down, but does anyone know what this is, and what problem I might have?

The BMW repair shop did mention they found yellow sludge in the radiator, so mentioned my head gasket may be on the way out (no sludge on the oil filler cap though). Could this be linked?

I've attached a pic to show the metal I'm talking about - the pic is with the HT lead pulled off the spark plug, but not all the way out.

Help!

Cheers!

[OJM]

This is the post in regards to yellow sludge;

http://www.mini2.com/forum/faults-fi...-radiator.html

[OJM]

Does anyone have any ideas? I'm wondering if the kind of yo-yo effect is being caused by this - ie, loss of pressure at that spark plug.

[OJM]

Here's a pic of it raised - not great quality, unfortunately.

[Lucky Dave]

The part that has lifted is the spark plug tube.

Its not part of the plug or lead, its just there so you can access the plugs.

They are part of the head and are either pressed and or bonded into it.

Its very fixable, just remove the plug leads, intercooler and the rocker cover, then it is exposed.

It could then be removed, cleaned up and re fixed into place.


Give me a call if you need to discuss it further..........Dave

PS you wont loose pressure, the problem is if it lifts enough oil from inside the rocker cover will soak the plug top and lead.

[OJM]

Cheers Dave! When you say rocker cover...would it be best to use a new gasket when replacing it?

Do you have any pics on how the spark plug tube is connected / attached by any chance?

[Lucky Dave]

I will get the camera out on Monday

[OJM]

Brilliant! Cheers Dave

[OJM]

Dave, did you manage to get any pics of how the tube is attached? Will I need a new gasket when putting the cover back on? Cheers!