Plastic piece fell into the spark plug hole #1...

[phoenix arsenal]

Well, I was doing a simple spark plug change and installing the spark wires in when a small piece of plastic from the spark wire holder broke off and fell into spark hole #1. I tried retrieving it with the new spark plug installed, but its wedged down in there pretty good. These are the only two possible scenarios i could think of to get it out:

1. risk losing it in the cylinder after uninstalling the new spark plug, but i dont know how much damage, if any it would cause to the motor.

2. say the hell with it, install the spark wire and shut the hood, although im almost sure it would melt in there from the heat and cause a huge issue down the road.

If you have any other ideas, solutions, or can help alleviate my stress on one of the above two scenarios it would be greatly appreciated as i have to drive to work tomorrow morning.

 

[Alex42590]

how big of a piece? can you see it? try to fish it out with a clothes hanger maybe?

 

[phoenix arsenal]

forgot to mention....in my attempt to fish it out with the only thing flat enough (cleaned oil dipstick) to wedge itself between the wall and spark plug, i now have 2 smaller pieces...

 

[Alex42590]

what about some tape attached to it?

 

[phoenix arsenal]

as another idea, since the plastic is pretty brittle and old, would it be a good idea to just keep breaking it up until its very tiny pieces, take out the spark plug, clear out the hole and let the engine take care of the rest next time i start it?

it seems the only thing i can do is just keep breaking it at this point.

what about some tape attached to it?

thats a good one. ive got double sided tape here, so that might work fine.

 

[ilco187]

OR! modify a vacuum in someway to get in the hole and suck it out.

 

[Eeeeky]

This might sound a little funny, but try some good ole fashion chewing gum. I once dropped a valve stem cap down the spark plug hole (dont ask how), and tried everything. Running out of patience, i took a coat hanger and bent the end in a tight U shape, and stuck the gum to it after chewing it for a minute. First try, out came that bastard valve stem cap, and it worked perfectly. Might help, might not. Just my .02! Good luck. If they are small parts, You might take the turbo off, and see if you cant get the car to spit them out. Surely you dont want that kinda crap getting into the turbine housing.

I guess it also helps that i had a friend with a snake camera, that would fit down the spark plug hole, so i knew where the cap was. . If youve got a buddy in the heating/AC buisness, you might hit him up, they usually keep handheld snake cameras with a 20" neck to spot problems inside air vents.

 

[urmomsaniceguy]

Use a vacuum. Loosen the spark plug slightly, stick the hose of the vacuum over the hole and it should come out. If you have to get the intake or exhaust valve to open so air will flow through the cylinder wall, and pass the spark plug.

 

[romeen]

as another idea, since the plastic is pretty brittle and old, would it be a good idea to just keep breaking it up until its very tiny pieces, take out the spark plug, clear out the hole and let the engine take care of the rest next time i start it?

I would not recommend this. If a piece gets wedged between the valve and valve seat it could cause a lot of damage.

This might sound a little funny, but try some good ole fashion chewing gum. I once dropped a valve stem cap down the spark plug hole (dont ask how), and tried everything. Running out of patience, i took a coat hanger and bent the end in a tight U shape, and stuck the gum to it after chewing it for a minute. First try, out came that bastard valve stem cap, and it worked perfectly. Might help, might not. Just my .02! Good luck. If they are small parts, You might take the turbo off, and see if you cant get the car to spit them out. Surely you dont want that kinda crap getting into the turbine housing.

What if the gum falls down in there?

 

[JusMX141]

Start the engine for a second or two with the plug removed...it will likely blow out the spark plug hole.

 

[Eeeeky]

I would not recommend this. If a piece gets wedged between the valve and valve seat it could cause a lot of damage.




What if the gum falls down in there?

When i did it, i bent a U shape in the hanger, and hooked the gum. You wouldnt use a piece that youd have to force through the hole.

 

[1990whitetsiawd]

Have you tried blowing it out with an compressed air ex. Air compressor or dust off?

 

[ilco187]

Compressed air with air pistol?

 

[phoenix arsenal]

got everything out. the tape idea, fyi, wasnt so great. i almost lost double sided tape in the engine...

 

[Alex42590]

good job the gum idea was pretty good too

 

[mnelsen]

i woulda just used the little metal claw spring thingy from the tool section at autozone.

 

[DSM1G90]

Claw device works wonders.

buy one and keep that unit in your toolbox...