I replaced the coil on my #8 spark plug - looked like it was shorted out from oil residue. I pulled the plug after 1000 miles and there is a small amount of residue starting to build up again.

1) Should I attempt to replace just the spark plug tube seals on the one side, and re-use the valve cover gasket, grommets, etc.? I am not experiencing any missing on any of the other cylinders like I experienced before/after I lost my coil. Should I use the ultra grey gasket goo in addition to the gasket? Is experiencing the problem on one cylinder worth removing the covers and replacing all the gaskets? Definitely an all day job for me... Should I base my decision to replace all the gaskets in the opposite engine bank on how much residue I find in the other (first side) spark plug wells?

I replaced my Engine with a low mileage salvage Engine that I believe to be an AJ27 because of the electrical connector coming out of the valve cover. My vehicle VIN is approx. 36042 which may have been an AJ26 previously(?) My replacement engine was advertised for '99-2001 and my quick evaluation of what it would take to read my engine code is grim...

2) Can I safely order a valve cover gasket set for a 2000 based on this info? Do I need Valve cover gaskets, Spark plug tube seals, bolt and pin grommets?

I suspect the mechanic doing the engine swap may have reused the spark plug seals and grommets due to the cost and availability of the complete set vs. just the valve cover gaskets and now I'm paying the price...

Yes I replaced the complete tensioner kit on my replacement 32K mile engine. Losing my first engine at 78K miles may have been a factor in that decision.. OF course if the things didnt lose thermostats and overheat every other year it might not be as much of a problem...

Of course I'm venting - I love my Jag!

 

I had a similar oil leak on one plug the RH bank of my 2001 XK8 4.0 ltr. Got the gaskets for both sides but only did the RH to fix the leak because I was pushed for time.



Two years later when I sold the car, there were no further leaks on either side and the unused LH gasket set is still in the garage.

Advice is - don't go looking for trouble!

The rubber cover gasket is designed to compress as the cover is tightened down. It doesn't require any sealant.

Graham