spark plug blew out
Racer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 462
Likes: 123
From: Ozark Alabama
Mainly just subscribing to find out what happened. Is it possible that the plug was backed out for a while, the ticking was an exhaust leak as the plug got close to coming completely out and the threads have carbon built up in them from the plug being backed out. Where the threads on the plug that blew out damaged? Pics of the plug and head would also be great.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 159
From: Lafayette Louisiana
Had that happen on my '79 C3 right after an engine build. My guess is mechanic didn't tighten it well. Had to run a thread chaser and install a new plug. All was well then.It's a pretty shocking sound when a plug blews lit that! 
Moderator, Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 15,433
Likes: 3,981
From: Cape Coral, Florida
Heli Coil it !!...only way to fix it properly...BIG problem with the Ford 4.6, 5.4, and 6.8 Triton engines...blew out one on my old 2005 Escape daily driver. Design flaw !!
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
Plug chaser tap! Use plenty of grease on the tap to catch the dirt/carbon. If the plug was not tight on the head, the gasses would escaped around the threads and have contaminated the threads with carbon.
You MUST clean them or risk stripping them out. Use antiseize on the new plug with the proper torque so the taper seat seals against the head surface taper and the plug is properly tightened.
You MUST clean them or risk stripping them out. Use antiseize on the new plug with the proper torque so the taper seat seals against the head surface taper and the plug is properly tightened.
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Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Mainly just subscribing to find out what happened. Is it possible that the plug was backed out for a while, the ticking was an exhaust leak as the plug got close to coming completely out and the threads have carbon built up in them from the plug being backed out. Where the threads on the plug that blew out damaged? Pics of the plug and head would also be great.
Plug that blew out.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Mainly just subscribing to find out what happened. Is it possible that the plug was backed out for a while, the ticking was an exhaust leak as the plug got close to coming completely out and the threads have carbon built up in them from the plug being backed out. Where the threads on the plug that blew out damaged? Pics of the plug and head would also be great.
Moderator, Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 15,433
Likes: 3,981
From: Cape Coral, Florida
Well try it if you think it's good...if the plug feels like it's starting to cross thread you can try a tap. Just make sure you get any metal out of the cylinder...I used my blow nozzle. If it blows out again it's heli coil time. Dorman and OEM sells a kit. Pep Boys or Autozone might stock it.....just not try to be too far from home if it happens...I was 40 miles away !!
Last edited by C5 Diag; Jun 23, 2018 at 01:27 AM.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
heli coil day
Well try it if you think it's good...if the plug feels like it's starting to cross thread you can try a tap. Just make sure you get any metal out of the cylinder...I used my blow nozzle. If it blows out again it's heli coil time. Dorman and OEM sells a kit. Pep Boys or Autozone might stock it.....just not try to be too far from home if it happens...I was 40 miles away !!
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
heli coil day
Well I want to thank you all for telling me about the Heli coil. It worked and Vet running REAL Good now. I watched a video on how to put grease on the tap and only do about five turns at a time, then back it out, clean off shavings that stuck to grease. Re grease and do it over and over. It worked perfect. Appreciate your knowledge. Clayanna