#7 plug hole stripped
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,526
Likes: 17
From: Santa Fe TX
I had this exact thing happen and IT WAS THE SPARK PLUG!
So if you haven't already, try another plug (even an old one).
I went and changed out the spark plug at the parts store and it threaded in fine and tightened down.
There was NO VISIBLE difference between the bad plug and the good plug. I guess the threads were a little off or bent or something, but you couldn't tell by looking.
Here's the post: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...post1576507765
So if you haven't already, try another plug (even an old one).
I went and changed out the spark plug at the parts store and it threaded in fine and tightened down.
There was NO VISIBLE difference between the bad plug and the good plug. I guess the threads were a little off or bent or something, but you couldn't tell by looking.
Here's the post: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...post1576507765
Last edited by jedblanks; Jan 31, 2011 at 09:01 AM. Reason: link to thread
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,100
Likes: 17
From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 218
Likes: 11
From: Portland Maine
I'm just really afraid of not getting the thread chaser at the correct angle....since it is #7 i really cant see what im doing...its all by feel. my twin brother came up with a brilliant idea tho...he said to shove a tampon down in the hole and put alittle oil (not water obviously) to get it to expand....then use the thread chaser with grease. since it is only the first couple of threads the tampon should keep any shavings from going into the cylinder...then i can just use a shop vac to suck the tampon out...
what do you guys think?...alittle crazy ? or do-able?
what do you guys think?...alittle crazy ? or do-able?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 31
From: Silver Spring MD
Unless #7 is having a period don't do that
I'm just really afraid of not getting the thread chaser at the correct angle....since it is #7 i really cant see what im doing...its all by feel. my twin brother came up with a brilliant idea tho...he said to shove a tampon down in the hole and put alittle oil (not water obviously) to get it to expand....then use the thread chaser with grease. since it is only the first couple of threads the tampon should keep any shavings from going into the cylinder...then i can just use a shop vac to suck the tampon out...
what do you guys think?...alittle crazy ? or do-able?
what do you guys think?...alittle crazy ? or do-able?
Don't trade that for a cylinder with something jammed in it.
I also agree with the poster saying your plug may be at fault. I too have found a plug or 2 out of the 8 that is very hard to thread.
Take out #1 or #3 and try using it.
I had a car where the plugs came out but the holes were so tight you couldn't put a new plug in. Bought one of those chasers (look like a tap) and threaded it in several times. Cleaned out the thread just fine.
I had to grind down some of the metal following the threads because it was too thick to go into the recessed plug hole.
I ALWAYS use a piece of windshield wiper hose to remove and rethread all plugs by hand to make sure I don't crossthread it. After breaking the plug loose with a socket and before tightening it up the plug it should turn by hand. If not you really will have problems getting a new one in.
BIGHANK
Last edited by bighank; Jan 31, 2011 at 09:43 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 218
Likes: 11
From: Portland Maine
ok....the more i think about it.....i would more likely stick feminine products in the spark plug hole of my 95 chevy 4X4 than in the love of my life (the vette...NOT my wife...haha) oh well...it sounded like it just may work...it is afterall... "outside of the box" hehe
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Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 218
Likes: 11
From: Portland Maine
Thank you all so much by the way... you all calmed me down for sure. im going to tackle that this afternoon. I just baught the thread chaser. Its nice to know that im not alone, and it isn't the first time this has happened....
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
The wheel liner on C5/C6 are GLUED to the frame. That bad boy is NOT going to come out short of destroying it. SORRY!
If it were me,,, I would ask a mechanically inclined friend to come over and try to install the sparkplug. It may be that you just do not have the correct angle. Try that before you mess with the threads.
Remove the coil pack, disconnect the brake booster vacuum line and disconnect the AIT check valve and move the hose. That will give you some extra room to work..
Grease on the clean out chaser will do the job of catching any trash/metal. You should be fine there.
Good luck
Bill
If it were me,,, I would ask a mechanically inclined friend to come over and try to install the sparkplug. It may be that you just do not have the correct angle. Try that before you mess with the threads.
Remove the coil pack, disconnect the brake booster vacuum line and disconnect the AIT check valve and move the hose. That will give you some extra room to work..
Grease on the clean out chaser will do the job of catching any trash/metal. You should be fine there.
Good luck
Bill
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 628
Likes: 4
From: Columbia SC
Very unlikely that a couple tiny aluminum shavings, if they get loose, will do any damage. They will almost certainly blow out the cylinder. Worst case would be one getting caught at the seat and "welded" there, but that's not probable.
Good advice from the responders. Also examine any thread chaser/tap that you are looking to buy carefully for good sharp threads with a decent taper/lead-in, maybe check out more than one brand/type. Take off whatever you can to gain more clearance around the hole, as you must start that chaser just right of course.
All of us are looking forward to hearing back from you, saying that your problem is taken care of. Good luck.
Good advice from the responders. Also examine any thread chaser/tap that you are looking to buy carefully for good sharp threads with a decent taper/lead-in, maybe check out more than one brand/type. Take off whatever you can to gain more clearance around the hole, as you must start that chaser just right of course.
All of us are looking forward to hearing back from you, saying that your problem is taken care of. Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,003
Likes: 89
From: Indy IN
If you use a thead chaser, clean, clean, and clean it again with a swab and alcohol, and then use some neversieze on the plug. The tampon thing with some cleaner on it, screw it into the plug hole and back out to make sure there isn't any aluminum in the threads, and again some neversieze is mandatory. A little care here is cheap insurance....
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 218
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From: Portland Maine
WOW what a difference...the thread chaser worked!!! i disconnected the egr air tube and gained all the clearance i needed. with a tiny mirror i got the chaser started perfectly with a bit of grease on it. Since it was only the initial few threads i stopped as soon as the chaser became easy to turn. backed it off, blew out the shavings with an air gun, put the anti-seize on the new plug and got it to grab on the 2nd try. it started slow but then became real easy and turned all the way in with no issues at all. coneected the plug wires, put the egr back together, and started it up!!! no issues....idles a whole lot better and didnt throw any codes after letting it warm up a bit.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. what started out as a head ache and my worst nightmare turned into a 30 min easy fix...even being the #7 cylinder....it really wasnt too bad.
I can NOT say thank you enough for all your responses...
Don
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. what started out as a head ache and my worst nightmare turned into a 30 min easy fix...even being the #7 cylinder....it really wasnt too bad.
I can NOT say thank you enough for all your responses...
Don
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 406
Likes: 1
From: Tulsa OK
Lisle has spark plug thread chaser tool for 7 bucks, get that, than you 2 choices
1> greased up thread chaser tool and go only couple threads back out, clean the thread chaser tool and use ear cotton swab dipped in oil, insert in plug hole wipe as much as you can but dont go too deep, repeat couple time with different swab.
than try new spark plug try thread with fingers only, still no go than repeat above procedure and again go only couple threads more.
2> Bring the piston up and use chaser tool DRY with no oil or grease must be dry, go few threads and back out, now vaccumed out or use air blow (if you have compressor) if not use keyboard compressed duster.
If both methods dont work or afraid to do, than pull the heads, take it to machine shop let them drill tapped and use heli coil, or just tap re-thread and go from there.
at the worst head gasket, new head bolts for one head only and your labor. BTW pulling head and install is not that bad, weekend job with most hand tools only.
1> greased up thread chaser tool and go only couple threads back out, clean the thread chaser tool and use ear cotton swab dipped in oil, insert in plug hole wipe as much as you can but dont go too deep, repeat couple time with different swab.
than try new spark plug try thread with fingers only, still no go than repeat above procedure and again go only couple threads more.
2> Bring the piston up and use chaser tool DRY with no oil or grease must be dry, go few threads and back out, now vaccumed out or use air blow (if you have compressor) if not use keyboard compressed duster.
If both methods dont work or afraid to do, than pull the heads, take it to machine shop let them drill tapped and use heli coil, or just tap re-thread and go from there.
at the worst head gasket, new head bolts for one head only and your labor. BTW pulling head and install is not that bad, weekend job with most hand tools only.
.
