Help! Stripped a plug.

[jackh707]

Was changing the spar plugs on the caterham, has a 1.8 zetec e. Upon taking off the spark plug cover noticed water around the heads of each

[lesstatt]

So whats the issue.................the water or the plug, whats stripped, the thread in the head or the thread on the plug or both ?

[jackh707]

Of the plugs. Anyway, drained the water using a bit of sponge taped to a screwdriver then took the first one out no problem.
On the 2nd one, I stripped the collar off the plug, was being gentle but they had rusted.

How do I get the plug out? Any help appreciated.

[Pontoneer]

Are spar plugs the ones you get in a well known chain of convenience stores ?

Seroiously , if the new plugs don't screw nicely in , you might be looking at helicoils .

[Clivew]

It sounds like you have rounded off the hex of the plug rather than having stripped the threads. Am I right? If so I would think you are using the wrong size of plug spanner. Get the correct spanner and try removing the plugs when the engine is hot.

[lesstatt]

jackh707 said:

Of the plugs. Anyway, drained the water using a bit of sponge taped to a screwdriver then took the first one out no problem.
On the 2nd one, I stripped the collar off the plug, was being gentle but they had rusted.

How do I get the plug out? Any help appreciated.

Well if they are rusted in solid its prob a chemical reaction between the alloy head and steel plug, plus gas for a day or so keep suquirting it on, if that doesnt work, prob brute force but if the thread is stripped in the head you used to be able to buy a thread re cutting type tool ie a tap as below

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Spark-Plug-Thread-Repair...

this only good if the thread is slightly damaged though, if its FUBAR then its a helicoil job

[VR6 Turbo]

heat will help if they are corroded. alloy expands more than steel and faster. so run the car up the best you can. loads of penetration fluid as stated above, plus make sure you have the right size spark plug socket.

VR

[VR6 Turbo]

lesstatt said:

jackh707 said:

Of the plugs. Anyway, drained the water using a bit of sponge taped to a screwdriver then took the first one out no problem.
On the 2nd one, I stripped the collar off the plug, was being gentle but they had rusted.

How do I get the plug out? Any help appreciated.

Well if they are rusted in solid its prob a chemical reaction between the alloy head and steel plug, plus gas for a day or so keep suquirting it on, if that doesnt work, prob brute force but if the thread is stripped in the head you used to be able to buy a thread re cutting type tool ie a tap as below

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Spark-Plug-Thread-Repair...

this only good if the thread is slightly damaged though, if its FUBAR then its a helicoil job

wouldn't this require the head off? I wouldn't fancy all that swarf in my bores, pun intended.

VR

[jackh707]

I think i explained badly, I was using my iphone which didn't help. Here's a picture to help clarify...
the 1st spark plug came out looking like this, then when i though the 2nd plug was coming out, only the collar on the right came out.

[lesstatt]

Its only meant for a light clean up as such and wont actually cut anything much at all, lots of grease on the tap and any swarf should stick to it and not fall down bore hopefully

I did it once on a ford orion............. years ago, it did work

[VR6 Turbo]

jackh707 said:

I think i explained badly, I was using my iphone which didn't help. Here's a picture to help clarify...
the 1st spark plug came out looking like this, then when i though the 2nd plug was coming out, only the collar on the right came out.

whats the access like ? I am guessing they are at least 100 down inside the head?

also is that collar sheared off or unscrewed from the plug? if the latter loads of retaining lock tight and thread it back on let it set and then try to undo the hole plug?

VR

[lesstatt]

jackh707 said:

I think i explained badly, I was using my iphone which didn't help. Here's a picture to help clarify...
the 1st spark plug came out looking like this, then when i though the 2nd plug was coming out, only the collar on the right came out.

Oh................... err blimey, sorry havent a clue on that one then, as said access is the issue really

[Xenocide]

Head off and drill 'em out I think chap

[lesstatt]

This sort of thing maybe

http://blog.bt-andf.com/blog/toolman/toolman

Or hammer some smaller tube over the top and see how that does, really not a lot of options for you im afraid

[jackh707]

There has been a complication




The centre of that plug has come out now, but the outer threaded part remains, probably easier to get out, thinking of an 'easy out'.



oh dear oh dear.

[shunaphil]

You can try an easy-out , otherwise its head off, drill and helicoil I'm afraid. Apply heat first though.

[guru_1071]

if your going to try an 'easy-out' make sure its a very good quality one.

one of those cheap ones will just snap off like a rotten tooth, then you really are in trouble!

[VR6 Turbo]

shunaphil said:

You can try an easy-out , otherwise its head off, drill and helicoil I'm afraid. Apply heat first though.

yep lots of heat, give an easy out a crack, if that goes Pete tongue its head off any way.

[AdeTuono]

VR6 Turbo said:

Pete tongue

[SystemParanoia]

a new 1.8 ztec engine can be had for not alot of money cant they?

just get another one, and keep this one for future practice