Ok...Houston we have a problem....spark plug thread potentially buggered
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,604
Likes: 396
From: Austin, TX
Ok...Houston we have a problem....spark plug thread potentially buggered
All,
While installing a new plug I think I may have buggered the first thread or so on the front/passenger cylinder. I have tried several plugs and I cannot get them started. I believe one of my attempts may have "screwed" me.
Anyhow, I would like some advice ASAP as to how to proceed from here. I'm a DIY'er (although in this case I may regret it!) so this may be my project for the long weekend. Any advice is appreciated. :cry
While installing a new plug I think I may have buggered the first thread or so on the front/passenger cylinder. I have tried several plugs and I cannot get them started. I believe one of my attempts may have "screwed" me.
Anyhow, I would like some advice ASAP as to how to proceed from here. I'm a DIY'er (although in this case I may regret it!) so this may be my project for the long weekend. Any advice is appreciated. :cry
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,040
Likes: 0
From: Collin County Texas
Re: Ok...Houston we have a problem....spark plug thread potentially buggered (PewterC5)
Maybe go to one of the auto stores (Pep Boys, etc.) and they may have something for you to rent (or buy) to restart the thread.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,604
Likes: 396
From: Austin, TX
Re: Ok...Houston we have a problem....spark plug thread potentially buggered (PewterC5)
Looks like there are thread chasers out there than can be used to resolve my problem. Anyone used the type the expands in the hole and can be backed out to clean the first several threads?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
Re: Ok...Houston we have a problem....spark plug thread potentially buggered (PewterC5)
I haven't tried any of the thread "cleaners", but here are a couple of things to keep in mind:
1) Do your best not to get any metal pieces inside the cylinder. As you most likely already know, they can cause problems should they get lodged inside the cylinder.
2) Always insert a spark plug by hand. Starting them with a wrench can lead to a crossed thread situation as it is too easy for the wrench to overpower the thread. Once you've got the plug inserted and have turned it by hand for several turns, then put the wrench on it to tighten it.
Best of luck,
Steve
1) Do your best not to get any metal pieces inside the cylinder. As you most likely already know, they can cause problems should they get lodged inside the cylinder.
2) Always insert a spark plug by hand. Starting them with a wrench can lead to a crossed thread situation as it is too easy for the wrench to overpower the thread. Once you've got the plug inserted and have turned it by hand for several turns, then put the wrench on it to tighten it.
Best of luck,
Steve
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,426
Likes: 0
From: Canton Michigan
Re: Ok...Houston we have a problem....spark plug thread potentially buggered (BlackZ06)
Be careful with a thread chaser. Metal shavings and cylinder heads don't mix.
Steve's right. Never use anything but your hand to start a spark plug in an aluminum head.
You may have to remove the cylinder head to repair the bad thread. Been there, done that.
Good luck.
Steve's right. Never use anything but your hand to start a spark plug in an aluminum head.
You may have to remove the cylinder head to repair the bad thread. Been there, done that.
Good luck.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,199
Likes: 0
From: over ten thousand posts 7/10ths back
Re: Ok...Houston we have a problem....spark plug thread potentially buggered (c5freak)
If you have compressed air blow the hole out by sticking a hose into the cylinder. This way the air blows outward. Make sure the valves are closed.(TDC)
Next put alot grease on the threads and use a thread chaser.
Then insert a hose into the cylinder and blow air into the hose so the air blows out.
Spray with brakekleen and blow it again.
DONE
Next put alot grease on the threads and use a thread chaser.
Then insert a hose into the cylinder and blow air into the hose so the air blows out.
Spray with brakekleen and blow it again.
DONE
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,604
Likes: 396
From: Austin, TX
Re: Ok...Houston we have a problem....spark plug thread potentially buggered (PewterC5)
All,
Corvette184 gave me the tip of the century....see the tool here: http://www.starrproducts.com/newproducts.html called back-tap. It worked great. I had to drive 3hrs to get one (a Napa warehouse)...I couldn't sit around all weekend to wait for one to show up on Tuesday. She's up and running again...wheeeeww...what a sinking feeling that was. I've changed plugs hundreds of times...not sure how that happened....carelessness I guess. Now its time to go to my neighbors mud-bug boil and drink some beer. :party:
Corvette184 gave me the tip of the century....see the tool here: http://www.starrproducts.com/newproducts.html called back-tap. It worked great. I had to drive 3hrs to get one (a Napa warehouse)...I couldn't sit around all weekend to wait for one to show up on Tuesday. She's up and running again...wheeeeww...what a sinking feeling that was. I've changed plugs hundreds of times...not sure how that happened....carelessness I guess. Now its time to go to my neighbors mud-bug boil and drink some beer. :party:
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Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,703
Likes: 1
From: Defending the US Constitution in Northern CA
Re: Ok...Houston we have a problem....spark plug thread potentially buggered (PewterC5)
I guess I'll be picking that up for the shop.
It isn't like I bugger up plug threads or anything, but sometimes I get a call from a customer that has exactly the same delemma that you had.
I'm lucky, the napa regional warehouse is only one offramp away.
Great find.
It is like the Split Dies that I got off of the Snap-on truck that have a hinge built in, so you spread them open and place them down on the good threads, place a tapered socket over it, and back it off, correcting the screwed up threads. I use it almost every time I need to take Hotchkis sway bar end-links off.
It isn't like I bugger up plug threads or anything, but sometimes I get a call from a customer that has exactly the same delemma that you had.
I'm lucky, the napa regional warehouse is only one offramp away.
Great find.
It is like the Split Dies that I got off of the Snap-on truck that have a hinge built in, so you spread them open and place them down on the good threads, place a tapered socket over it, and back it off, correcting the screwed up threads. I use it almost every time I need to take Hotchkis sway bar end-links off.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,557
Likes: 0
From: Columbia MD
Re: Ok...Houston we have a problem....spark plug thread potentially buggered (PewterC5)
All,
Corvette184 gave me the tip of the century....see the tool here: http://www.starrproducts.com/newproducts.html called back-tap. It worked great. I had to drive 3hrs to get one (a Napa warehouse)...I couldn't sit around all weekend to wait for one to show up on Tuesday. She's up and running again...wheeeeww...what a sinking feeling that was. I've changed plugs hundreds of times...not sure how that happened....carelessness I guess. Now its time to go to my neighbors mud-bug boil and drink some beer. :party:
Corvette184 gave me the tip of the century....see the tool here: http://www.starrproducts.com/newproducts.html called back-tap. It worked great. I had to drive 3hrs to get one (a Napa warehouse)...I couldn't sit around all weekend to wait for one to show up on Tuesday. She's up and running again...wheeeeww...what a sinking feeling that was. I've changed plugs hundreds of times...not sure how that happened....carelessness I guess. Now its time to go to my neighbors mud-bug boil and drink some beer. :party:
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,604
Likes: 396
From: Austin, TX
Re: Ok...Houston we have a problem....spark plug thread potentially buggered (bowtiebandit)
Yep, it really saved my ****. Instead of grease I covered it real well with anti-seize as I was going to need some in the hole anyhow. :cheers:
