Wobbly Spark Plug? - Saxperience

KelVTS90 · 12th January 2012, 22:31

My number one spark plug screws in but is a little wobbly so is aparently loosing compression?

does anyone know the best method to sort this without buying a head?

xXx

Gandi699 · 12th January 2012, 22:32

could try heli-coiling it but the heads gotta come off anyway. Threads are probably knackered in it

saxova · 12th January 2012, 22:33

threads probably going knackered.. helicoil kit..

Cam · 12th January 2012, 22:33

Sounds stupid but you havent got any crap on the thread proventing it going down more?

robster247 · 12th January 2012, 22:37

As above, helicoil is you easiest solution

KelVTS90 · 12th January 2012, 23:18

i think thats were gonna go and get a heli coil set does anyone know how much they are? i bought 4 new spark plugs and tryed one of them in it and its still wobbly and as far as we can see its goin all the way down.

car sounds pretty rough

shes poorly sick some said it could be injector seals so iv bought a full set just to be on the safe side once there done i know its right would anyone else do this or is it a waste of time?

xXx

DreamEater · 12th January 2012, 23:26

My spark plug shot out of the cylinder head a few months ago and took the thread with it, I spoke to a few places about heli-coils and they wanted £90 to fit one (it's basically a bigger hole with a thread inside for a new spark plug) plus I would have to take the head off myself.

Bought a 2nd hand engine for £65, took the head off it and swapped them over. Job done.

In my oppinion a heli-coil is just a professional bodge job, as they can come out, especially if the spark plug has been over tightened, so when you service the car you end up taking the heli-coil out, which leaves you in the same posistion you're in now.

Buy a 2nd hand engine and swap the heads over. Far simpler.

croftys · 12th January 2012, 23:40

second hand head is probably the best option, you might as well change the cam belt as well if it has not been done.

KelVTS90 · 15th January 2012, 01:13

cheers for everyones input. Crewe engines have said their gonna heli coil it for £18 and put the injector seals in for me which i thought was pretty cheap tbhf! so im going to go with that n if not go for another head.

But thanks for all ya help

xXx

stevo67 · 15th January 2012, 12:26

Try cleaning the thread where the plug goes.

saxova · 15th January 2012, 13:07

A mate/mechanic came to my house and charged me £40.. Would of cost that for a decent helicoil kit that I probs wouldn't use again. So paid someone I could blame if it went wrong

We left the head on.. Then after he helicoiled it, turned the car over with no plugs in, majority of swarf blew out.

Had no problems in 15k+ miles

saxo-parts · 15th January 2012, 13:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamEater

My spark plug shot out of the cylinder head a few months ago and took the thread with it, I spoke to a few places about heli-coils and they wanted £90 to fit one (it's basically a bigger hole with a thread inside for a new spark plug) plus I would have to take the head off myself.

Bought a 2nd hand engine for £65, took the head off it and swapped them over. Job done.

In my oppinion a heli-coil is just a professional bodge job, as they can come out, especially if the spark plug has been over tightened, so when you service the car you end up taking the heli-coil out, which leaves you in the same posistion you're in now.

Buy a 2nd hand engine and swap the heads over. Far simpler.

what a load of crap lol, helicoils aren't a bodge job if done properly at all, shouldn't come out when you take the plug out again, all i can say is that if they are good enough for aircraft use they are going to be more then good enough for saxo engines!

DreamEater · 15th January 2012, 21:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by mandyslover70

what a load of crap lol, helicoils aren't a bodge job if done properly at all, shouldn't come out when you take the plug out again, all i can say is that if they are good enough for aircraft use they are going to be more then good enough for saxo engines!

Ok, they may not be a bodge job, but they aren't exactly a decent fix, as they can come un-done, it is just a bigger screw with a hole in the middle.

I'd still recommend replacing the head instead of heli-coiling as you have to take the head off anyway to heli-coil (well, you don't have to, but you told me, and other mechanics it's not worth the risk keeping it on.)