Can someone explain this phenomenon for me?

[surechap]

Recently, I did a valve cover job because oil was leaking into the spark plug tubes. 2 or 3 of the spark plug wires were drenched in oil so I cleaned them up the best I can and added 4 new spark plugs. Then I placed everything back, I knew the wires were still wet, but expected the oil to burn off eventually. 2 to 3 months later I rechecked if they were leaking.

All of the holes were dry, but one of the wires still remained wet (the inside of the wires socket). I knew it wasn't from another leak as the bottom of the hole was bone dry (oil fills from bottom up not top down). So the oil must've came from the leak I had before. It's my understanding that the oil shouldn't burn off because it's not where the combustion occurs, but I thought the high temperatures would still dry off the oil. Why is it still wet?

[xxxJohnBoyxxx]

Originally Posted by surechap

Recently, I did a valve cover job because oil was leaking into the spark plug tubes. 2 or 3 of the spark plug wires were drenched in oil so I cleaned them up the best I can and added 4 new spark plugs. Then I placed everything back, I knew the wires were still wet, but expected the oil to burn off eventually. 2 to 3 months later I rechecked if they were leaking.

All of the holes were dry, but one of the wires still remained wet (the inside of the wires socket). I knew it wasn't from another leak as the bottom of the hole was bone dry (oil fills from bottom up not top down). So the oil must've came from the leak I had before. It's my understanding that the oil shouldn't burn off because it's not where the combustion occurs, but I thought the high temperatures would still dry off the oil. Why is it still wet?

Oil will not burn off in that location. Clean the wire with brake cleaner or something that removed oil and evaporates quickly. Watch out for open flame or a hot motor so you don't start a fire when cleaning the plug wire.

Best, John Smith