Avoid Engine Damage: 6 Must-Know Symptoms and Fixes for Antifreeze in Spark Plug Hole!

The spark plug in your engine must be untouched by antifreeze. However, if you find antifreeze in your spark plug hole, take the recommended actions quickly to preserve your vehicle’s performance and longevity.

Antifreeze in a spark plug hole indicates a leaked cylinder head gasket, cracked engine cylinder head, leaked spark plug tube seal, etc. It can lead to misfires and costly engine damage. So, stop driving your vehicle and take prompt action to save your engine. Diagnose the issue immediately. Repair or replace the damaged components.

Discovering antifreeze in a spark plug hole is an automotive mystery. It’s a situation where the familiar becomes perplexing. Let’s find out how you can address the issue accurately.

How To Confirm The Presence Of Antifreeze In Spark Plug Hole

You can confirm if antifreeze leaks in your spark plug hole through a manual check. To do it:

• Take out the affected spark plug.
• Diagnose and identify the deposited material accumulated on it.

If the deposited material is ashy or white-colored, it must be burned residue of engine coolant/antifreeze. This identification confirms that antifreeze leaks in your spark plug hole.

You can also take a look for an antifreeze leak inside the engine if you detect an antifreeze smell coming through the vents or smoke coming out of the vents.

What Are The Reasons Of Entering Antifreeze In Spark Plug Hole

A coolant or antifreeze leak in the combustion chamber is the main reason for the issue. When the antifreeze seeps into the combustion chamber, it contaminates the spark plug too.

This leak is caused due to the following issues:

1. Blown/Busted Engine Head Gasket

The head gasket seals between the cylinder head and engine block. It seals the internal combustion chamber. This way, it also prevents antifreeze/coolant and fuel from leaking outside.

If it is blown or develops a leak, antifreeze can flow into the combustion chamber and then into the spark plug hole.

Symptoms Of A Blown Head Gasket

• Engine overheats
• The exhaust pipe emits white smoke
• Unexpected coolant loss, but no leaks
• Bubbling in engine radiator and antifreeze reservoir

Solution

* If the gasket is slightly damaged, apply a chemical repair using a high-quality head gasket sealer.
* Replace the highly damaged gasket with an expert.

2. Cracked Engine Cylinder Head

A cracked cylinder head can also help antifreeze enter the combustion chamber. So, the presence of antifreeze in the spark plug hole could take place.

Symptoms Of A Cracked Engine Cylinder Head

• Engine overheats
• Oil and antifreeze mixes
• The tailpipe emits white smoke or steam
• Coolant leaks and low coolant level
• Misfiring in the combustion chamber
• Presence of combustion gas in the cooling system

Solution

* Repair small cracks by pinning.
* Repair large aluminum cracks through TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding.
* Repair large iron cracks through furnace welding or flame spray welding.

3. Cracked Engine Block

A cracked engine block allows coolant to seep into the combustion chamber. Then, it mixes with the fuel-air mixture, leading to the presence of coolant in the spark plug hole.

Symptoms Of A Cracked Engine Block

• Engine overheats
• Low engine compression results in poor engine power
• Smoke comes from the engine and exhaust pipe
• Coolant leaks and low coolant level
• Oil leaks

Solution

Repair cracked engine blocks by applying welding and brazing, cold metal stitching, etc.

4. Leaking Intake Manifold Gasket

It doesn’t occur commonly. A faulty intake manifold gasket can result in coolant leaking into the combustion chamber.

Symptoms Of A Leaking Intake Manifold Gasket

• Coolant leaks and low coolant level
• Engine misfires
• Rough idling
• Engine overheats

Solution

Remove the leaking gasket, apply high-quality RTV sealant to the edge of the gasket, dry it, and place it on the intake manifold again.

5. Leaked Spark Plug Tube Seal

The issue can happen due to a leaked spark plug tube seal. The spark plug tube seal prevents antifreeze from getting into the spark plug hole. If the seal is damaged, it can’t keep antifreeze away from the spark plug hole.

Symptoms Of A Leaked Spark Plug Tube Seal

• Oil on the spark plug and ignition coil
• Misfiring in the combustion chamber
• Rough idling or stalling
• Poor engine performance

Solution

Replace the damaged spark plug tube seal with an expert.

6. Engine Overheating

Sometimes, overheating causes damage or leaks to the head gasket or cylinder head. The damage or leaks allow coolant to enter the spark plug holes.

Symptoms Of Engine Overheating

• High-temperature gauge reading of the engine’s coolant
• The car front feels and smells hot
• Reduced engine performance
• The engine makes a characteristic sound
• Coolant leaks and low coolant level
• Steam comes out of the hood

Solution

* Find out the issue that’s causing your engine to overheat
* Consult an expert mechanic and take the required steps to fix the issue

Consult A Professional Mechanic If You Are Not An Expert

You need to take the required actions immediately to avoid any damage to your engine from the issue. Consult a professional mechanic to assess and address the problem if you are not an expert.

Addressing and fixing this problem requires a careful and precise approach. This problem occurs due to underlying internal issues. Attempting to fix it without proper knowledge could lead to more severe consequences.

So, the wisest action is to consult an expert, professional mechanic. He has the skills and equipment to diagnose the extent of the problem accurately and apply fixes accordingly.

Can Antifreeze Damage Spark Plugs?

To get the answer to this question, you have to understand what antifreeze is.

Antifreeze is a colored liquid substance that is used in vehicle engines. It helps regulate engine temperature in extreme conditions.

Its entrance into the spark plug hole hinders the spark plug’s function. Its presence contributes to conditions that reduce the spark plug’s effectiveness. The spark plug can’t generate a strong spark, resulting in poor engine performance.

Antifreeze itself doesn’t directly damage spark plugs. However, a prolonged misfiring issue, combined with other factors such as high temperatures, can damage the spark plug in the long run.

Conclusion

The antifreeze in the spark plug hole looks like a minor issue. But it can result in big damage to your car’s engine if left unsolved. So, I’ve enlisted the symptoms and underlying causes of the issue in a comprehensive manner. And included the best solutions to the issue.

I want you to get the most comprehensive and reliable guide to your automotive issues. So you can experience a highly satisfactory driving experience.