Oil Question - not about viscosity or the "Best"

Last year did a plug change on the '06 Tacoma and the '02 Trailblazer, both had a bit of engine oil in the plug wells.

I know where the oil comes from, seeping valve cover gasket, and how to cure.

My question is....

What is the detriment of a bit of oil in the plug wells?

I'm trying to judge the "importance" of this repair in the list of all the other projects in my charge.

 

I'll be interested to see what others chime in with. I guess it would depend on quantity of a little, and then figure how long has it been since you looked down in there?
I think most of the GM vehicles that new have 100k mile plugs.
The Tacoma not, but still.
Point is, I say blow that hole out (should be done prior to removing plugs anyway) then go a couple months and take another look.
Better idea of quantifying it anyway.

 

As long as it doesn't reach the coil boot it will probably be fine but if it's enough to get up to the coil boot it will swell up the boot and eventually cause a misfire.

 

Here’s the thing it’s only going to get worse. You could try a high mileage oil since it’s supposed to help swell seals. It may not work though.

 

Thanks. I didn't notice the oil in the plug wells until the plugs were out. Kinda hard to see in the hole. Most of the plug removal/install is done blindly using feel. I just let the oil drip into the cylinder to be burned off. I don't think the volume was much, never witnessed any blue smoke.

I'm not a fan of products the "swell" seals. This just means ALL the seals in contact with the product will be damaged by swelling. Then the problems are compounded.

The plugs in the Tacoma were Autolites, so I know they had been changed, although don't know at what point. The '02 Trailblazer was on OEM plugs, about 115+ kmiles. That inline 6 is a bugger to reach the rear 2 plugs....... Need to lay on the engine with the hood latch getting friendly with my favorite organ.

Irony about both of these rides is the valve cover gaskets are less than $20, but my labor will be a batch of molasses cookies for the Trailblazer. Tacoma labor......a smile knowing a job will be well completed.

I guess these 2 tasks need to be moved up in priority on my "honey-do" and "to-do" list.