Do i need a head gasket after changing spark plugs

its advisable since usually spark plugs get fouled up from coolant or oil

The spark plugs do no thave gaskets they are a tapered fit into the cylinder head. Do you mean the seals (2.0 DOHC) that keep oil out of the plug wells, if so you must remplace the valve cover gasket, a very simple job on this engine.

The engine can burn alot of coolant before you see any smoke.
And having a cooling leak in the engine could cause it to run hot at times.
If you are adding coolant every week and don't see any leaks, the engine has to be burning it. Most of the time it is a blown head gasket and cracked head or block.

To reliably check the head gasket without costing you a cent, idle the car hot, to opperating temp. then one by one loosen the spark plugs.

It is very important that you dont take out all the spark plugs at once.

Start with cylinder 1

Loosen the sparg plug
Have a mirror nearby (one that will fit over the plug hole closely)
Remove the spark plug
and then quickly place the mirror over the spark plug hole
after 3-4 seconds quickly check on the mirror if there is any sign of moisture.
If so the head gasket is blown on that cylinder

When the head gasket blows moisture escapes into the combustion chamber wich will mist up the mirror glass.

Repeat this processe with the other cylinders

we usually replace head gaskets when there is an overeating problem or leak problem, if you saw coolant in the spark plugs or if the misfire come with a thick white smoke from the tail pipe, then this is reason enough to do the head gasket job.


for random misfire we got spark plug wires high resistance,
weak coil,
bad fuel,
weak fuel pump.
bad injectors.

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/flavio_517b938f50183b92

You have a blown head gasket or cracked head. Have the head pulled and look for gasket breaks. If no gasket breaks, have the head tested for cracks. If good, also check for surface warping and reinstall with new gasket. let us know if you need more help.

possible intake manifold gasket leaking into engine

you have a bad valve cover gasket/ spark plug o-ring i assume the plug is set in the head with valve cover above it since there is oil in the cover gaskets and o rings are used to seal in oil remove and replace gaskets be sure to find the right torque spec for the cover bolts also remember to start with the center bolts and work your way evenly to the outside

HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY DAUGHTERS CAR---CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS AND OIL IN THE HOLES OF THE SPARK PLUGS WIRE TOPS--- CHANGED THE VALVE COVER GASKET AND ITS BEEN CLOSE TO 4 MONTHS AND NO OIL AT ALL IN HOLES---IF YOU LOOK AT THE GASKET YOU CAN TELL IT LET THE OIL OUT---THE GASKET SITS INSIDE THE VALVE COVER VERY SNUGLY--THE OLD ONE WAS VERY LOOSE---AS FAR AS OIL GOING INTO THE SPARK PLUG CYLINDER IT WILL BLOW WHITE SMOLE FOR ALITTLE WHILE BUT EVENTUALLY BURN OFF---HOPE THIS HELPS---DENNIS

sounds like a blown head gasket or a cracked head