My spark plug is being forced out.

[Tiny]

I started my car the other night after I got out of class and it sounded like it was knocking. So i popped the hood and it sound like it was comeing from the head so I proceeced to touch the plug wires and i felt it on the wire. So I messed around with it by moveing the plug wire around and it stoped. I did notice that that plug wire was not sitting as low as the rest, so I havent messed with it anymore afraid of what might be the outcome. Any advice would be apreciated..

 

[97gsxIA]

Are you saying the plug its self is backing out? Take the plug out and check the threads, replace it if necessary. I try to avoid thread lock on spark plugs, but if it becomes an issue after replacing the plug, then you might have to. Did you possibly over tighten the plug into the head previously? You could probably stick a "mirror on a stick" (those cool dentist tool things everyone should get) and check the threads in the head to make sure theyre not foul either

if the plug isnt backing out, just replace your plug wires and plugs and i garuntee you wont have a problem with it.

 

[GRAVEDIGGER]

Take the plug out, inspect it and the threads in the cylinder head (if possible), and reinstall all new plugs if everything else seems okay. Give it a try and see what happens.

 

[Tiny]

Ok i will take it out this evening and replace them all. but what shall i do if it happens to be stripped?

 

[GRAVEDIGGER]

If the threads are stripped you can use a heli-coil or time sert to repair it.

 

[Tiny]

Will ethier of these methods require a bigger spark plug or the same size?

 

[etowaru]

Ooo. No bueno. You can get a helicoil brand thread repair kit at any Oreilly auto parts. It's a m14 spark plug repair kit. Every Oreilly should have one in stock.

 

[etowaru]

With the helicoil kit, you can use the same spark plug.

 

[arrowhead]

You have to pull the plugs out if not, how are you going to know, maybe it was just never tighten properly.

Take a look at the threads on the plug, see if they look normal or it has any signs of aluminum on them.

From here it gets sticky if any aluminum present, You may be able to clean the thread with a spark plug thread chaser they come in all sizes, but make sure that somehow you get some rags in the hole into the cylinder and start very slowly.

Get a new plug with anti-seize dab on it, and TORQUE to spec, if it takes the TORQUE, you are in luck.

If not, then you may have to take the head off, or an insert but all of these are risky.