sparkplug crossthreaded

[jastermerrel]

One of my spark plugs is crossthreaded, when I go to back it out, it just gets really tight. Any way to possibly remove it without stipping the threads in the head and having to helicoil it? Also, can it be helicoiled with the head on, or will the head have to be removed?

 

[psychlow]

Whether or not it will strip the head depends on how hard you cranked it down.

It CAN be helicoiled with the head on, but you need to make positively sure to vacuum out all traces of shavings out of your cylinders. A shop vac will usually work well for this.

 

[Splitpi]

It CAN be helicoiled with the head on, but you need to make positively sure to vacuum out all traces of shavings out of your cylinders. A shop vac will usually work well for this.

I may be pointing out the obvious here, but you can make an attachment for your vacuum to get into tight places. You need a straw (fairly stiff), an asprin bottle (about the same diameter as the vacuum hose, any bottle will do) and some tape. Drill a hole in the bottom of the asprin bottle that is the same diameter of the straw. Tape or glue the staw to the bottle. Ensure it is sealed well. With the cap off, slide bottle into the vacuum hose and then tape it tight. You should then be able to insert the straw into small spaces and the smaller airhole will create alot more suction through the straw.

 

[steve]

One of my spark plugs is crossthreaded, when I go to back it out, it just gets really tight.

Is it just time to change the plugs or has something happened that might have mushroomed the plug like dropping a valve?

Steve

 

[jastermerrel]

Is it just time to change the plugs or has something happened that might have mushroomed the plug like dropping a valve?

Steve

its just time to change the plugs. the aspirin bottle straw trick sounds good. god, i'd hate to score the cyclinder walls. just had the block rebuilt 1k miles ago.

 

[Defiant]

Use grease in the threads of the Helicoil tap. It'll trap the chips. What few you miss will be blown out as soon as the engine turns over. They're not large nor hard enough to be concerned with.