need some urgent advice; spark plugs were taken out to be changed to bosch platinum. 3 out of the 4 plugs fit all the way. One doesn't however. they are all the same size plug. I don't get it. I used antiseize on this "stuck" plug. It looks like it is not all the way in when I have turned the plug as much as possible. starting the car is fine, runs fine, but at idle, the RPM are erratic. Now the check engine light has come on. what can I do? any tips or trick? Thanks in advance
spark plug; check engine light; urgent advice needed
- Thread starter Cutehumor
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check the threads
the computer's probably going nuts because the one cylinder is getting no compression.
the computer's probably going nuts because the one cylinder is getting no compression.
Sounds like someone before you had some spark plug trouble and "made" the old ones fit. Depending on the engine and how much working room you have, starting plug threads can be very tricky and finicky. May have to re-thread. Check the old plug and see if the threads look stripped.
Tap and die time
It's really easy to cross thread a spark plug on transverse V6s for the back cylinders.
I hope it's not stripped. this is the first time I am putting plugs in the car. it's my g/f car; 96 pontiac sunfire 2.2 liter 94k miles, I took them out thinking they were 100k miles plugs but weren't. they were just regular AC delco plugs; so someone else changed them earlier in the car's life. if the threads are stripped because of someone else, this would be the second time I think a mechanic error has caused a fault. She had the serpentine belt changed at a quicklube havoline place, a few weeks later her alternator bearings are screaming. I tell her that the serpentine belt was put on too tight causing the alternator bearings to go out.
Well you got it in partway so the threads aren't totally trashed.
Check your auto parts store, or maybe even Sears, for a spark plug thread cleaner. Grease it up real good and GENTLY work it through the threads. Go 3/4-turn forward, 1/4-turn backward. If you are very careful you will probably be able to straighten the threads well enough to keep using them without a Helicoil.
Take your time, don't force it, and for the love of God don't cross-thread the thread cleaner.
Cheers, 3MP
Check your auto parts store, or maybe even Sears, for a spark plug thread cleaner. Grease it up real good and GENTLY work it through the threads. Go 3/4-turn forward, 1/4-turn backward. If you are very careful you will probably be able to straighten the threads well enough to keep using them without a Helicoil.
Take your time, don't force it, and for the love of God don't cross-thread the thread cleaner.
Cheers, 3MP
Just got out the stuck spark plug, it was a bear getting it out but I finally did. My hands are red to prove it. the spark plug last two or three threads are completely gone. it's like the layer of thread came off. I hope the threads in the cylinder block are ok. I went to autozone to get a spark plug thread chaser, they only had one in stock and it says for use with 13/16" deep socket. I didn't remember what size socket I used on the spark plug so I got it. When I got home, I looked at the spark plug socket it says 5/8. time to go see if this thread chaser will fit. I'm paranoid that I will cross thread, I will take as much time as possible.quote:
Originally posted by 3 Mad Ponchos:
Well you got it in partway so the threads aren't totally trashed.
Check your auto parts store, or maybe even Sears, for a spark plug thread cleaner. Grease it up real good and GENTLY work it through the threads. Go 3/4-turn forward, 1/4-turn backward. If you are very careful you will probably be able to straighten the threads well enough to keep using them without a Helicoil.
Take your time, don't force it, and for the love of God don't cross-thread the thread cleaner.
Cheers, 3MP
[ June 18, 2003, 02:56 PM: Message edited by: Cutehumor ]
These serpentine belts cannot be overtightened. They use an idler pulley to keep tension on the belt so there is no way to tighten the belt. Alternator bearings are a common thing to fail on these small cars and a tight belt is unlikely to cause this. It was probably just a coincidence that they failed soon after, they may have been on the way out and caused the belt to fail. Often where bearing go bad, they cause a big drag on the engine. I saw one seize up to the point it stall the engine. Guy said he heard a loud screech and the motor stalled. It would not turn over so I went to tow him back. I looked under the hood and could smell burnt rubber. Touched the belt and it was HOT and frayed. Took a knife and cut the belt, truck started right up and he drove home.
ok, I get the spark plug thread chaser. I use a 13/16 socket, I apply grease. I use it in the spark plug thread hole. I felt some resistance doing it, but didn't press it. I turned 1/2 to the left and 1/4 to the right two to three times. got some grime out. well, I try a new bosch platinum plug and I still feel resistance. I get fed up, and I put back all four of the old ac delco plugs. The old plug was still hard to get in and I didn't feel like I got it in all the way. the car fires right up, no erratic rpm at stop lights at all. car runs fine. check engine light is still on, so I disconnect the battery for 15 minutes, and reconnect, start the car. drive for 20 miles no check engine light to be seen. have I gone crazy or is it possible the bosch platinum plugs caused this?
It's possible. Some cars don't like platinum plugs.
Cheers, 3MP
Cheers, 3MP
although some cars dont like plats, that would be no reason for them to be hard to put in.
LOTS of troubles in our shop were cured by REMOVING Bosch plats. Same is true for Splitfire, they send computers nuts.
Get the plugs the manfacturer installs, chase the threads, a little anti-sieze and you should be good. If not it sounds like heli- coil or insert time. If done right the heli-coil is my preference.
Good luck.
Get the plugs the manfacturer installs, chase the threads, a little anti-sieze and you should be good. If not it sounds like heli- coil or insert time. If done right the heli-coil is my preference.
Good luck.
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