Help......spark plug in wrong!!!!
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 687
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, NV
Help......spark plug in wrong!!!! Well, I decided to change my plugs today and the passenger front spark plug is cross threaded in. I have no clue how it got that way. I have done about 10 plug changes and never messed one up. Although, I did not change that side, a friend did. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="gr_images/icons/mad.gif" /> How do I get it out? Do I have to pull off the head to do it and get it retapped? I hope not. Please help. I need to get this taken care of. Thanks in advance. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
TECH Addict
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,907
Likes: 1
From: Bergen County, NJ
Re: Help......spark plug in wrong!!!! If you access to the plug area, pull the plug, bring the piston to TDC, oil a thread tap, tap it, blow the cylinder out with compressed air and see how well the plug fits. If it holds you're lucky, if not you can sleeve the threads but that will require real good access to the plug area.
Re: Help......spark plug in wrong!!!! You better hope that plug isn't all the way in so some of the threads are still in tact. I would very gingerly try to remove that plug. I'd spray on a LOT of WD-40 or something like that to help ease out the plug. Use a thread chaser to dress up the damaged threads. Be SURE you have got the tool into the ORIGINAL threads and not the PHANTOM threads before you run the thread chaser all the way home. I'd remove the thread chaser several times during this process to wipe off metal filings which you sure don't want finding their way into the combustion chamber. I wouldn't torque this plug up to the factory spec. after the thread repair. I'd be extra careful when tightening the plug down or you will strip the remaining threads. If the threads are already damaged beyond repair you will need a heli-coil. If you can pull that one off with the head mounted and managed to not get any metal filings into your cylinder you must have Mother Thersa as you gardian angel. I'd pull the head and send it to a machine shop if a heli-coil is needed.
Re: Help......spark plug in wrong!!!! question, is the new spark plug or the old spark plug cross threaded???
i would suggest you pull the head and repair. if not this may become a maintance nightmare everytime you even think about changing plugs. inspect the plug and see how badly damaged, if very light, just repair but if its boogered -pull it.
i would suggest you pull the head and repair. if not this may become a maintance nightmare everytime you even think about changing plugs. inspect the plug and see how badly damaged, if very light, just repair but if its boogered -pull it.
Re: Help......spark plug in wrong!!!! Did you tighten it up all the way or just like 4-5 revolutions?
I've seen two instances were someone was cross threading #1 and in both cases... we squirted a little oil, and then backed the plugs out. I always put a little oil on the plug threads, and then I hand tighten the plugs... I visually check angle. In both cases there was no lingering problem. For some reason #1 can go in crooked really easily.
I've seen two instances were someone was cross threading #1 and in both cases... we squirted a little oil, and then backed the plugs out. I always put a little oil on the plug threads, and then I hand tighten the plugs... I visually check angle. In both cases there was no lingering problem. For some reason #1 can go in crooked really easily.
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 687
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, NV
Re: Help......spark plug in wrong!!!! It is the old plug. I ran it at the track today with it like that and pulled a new best on the motor. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" /> But I tried to hit the N20 and I get a misfire code, so I know it not helping me there.
I think it is all the way in. I did not install the plug, a friend did it about 10,000 miles ago for while I did the other side. So I have no clue on how far it is in or anything. I am affraid to pull it out because I need my car. Damn, I do not know what to do. I guess pull the head off. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Sad]" src="gr_sad.gif" />
By the way, do you think the TNT n20 could have maybe pushed the plug out or made it that way? A few of us think that might have done it. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" /> What do you all think? Thanks for all of the help. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
<small>[ December 07, 2002, 04:42 PM: Message edited by: TransAm2002 ]</small>
I think it is all the way in. I did not install the plug, a friend did it about 10,000 miles ago for while I did the other side. So I have no clue on how far it is in or anything. I am affraid to pull it out because I need my car. Damn, I do not know what to do. I guess pull the head off. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Sad]" src="gr_sad.gif" />
By the way, do you think the TNT n20 could have maybe pushed the plug out or made it that way? A few of us think that might have done it. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" /> What do you all think? Thanks for all of the help. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
<small>[ December 07, 2002, 04:42 PM: Message edited by: TransAm2002 ]</small>
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'
Brett Foote
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?
Pouria Savadkouei
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
TECH Addict
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,907
Likes: 1
From: Bergen County, NJ
Re: Help......spark plug in wrong!!!! One way or the other the plug is going to have to come out. You'll probably want to plan for the car being out of action then try to remove it and clean up the threads. If that doesn't work then you'all probably have to take the head off. AS stated above, tring to do a helicoil job on the car will probably take an awful lot of luck.
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 687
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, NV
Re: Help......spark plug in wrong!!!! Ok, thanks. Looks like I am SOL. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Sad]" src="gr_sad.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="gr_images/icons/mad.gif" />
