HELP...Spark plug shot out of engine!! (Resolution)
03-15-2005, 12:01 PM
#16
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Very risky driving car with an open spark plug hole. Fire hazard from fuel mixture vapors. You should have made sure the spark plug wire was insulated (wrap open end with electrical tape) so it couldn't arc to ground and ignite the vapors. My friend had an engine fire due to this exact thing in a VW bug many years ago.
03-15-2005, 12:10 PM
#17
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Not sure how your case is.. but Perhaps teh threads are just loose maybe it just turned out from vibration and pressure. Perhaps a new one with a little loctite or something? Not sure if loctite is ok?
03-15-2005, 12:21 PM
#18
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Originally Posted by dmanderson
Dan,
This just occurred to me 2 weeks ago with my 16 valve Jetta. I was able to gingerly thread the plug back in. There was some damage to the top of the threads but it went in. I was unable to get it in all the way, but I was able to drive the 40 miles home. At home, with the engine still warm, the plug went in the rest of the way. The next day I pulled it out to look at it and it came out well. My friend, a VW tech, said the absolute best way to go is to do nothing. I was asking about alternatives, and he said they all can result in problems and if the dealer has to guarantee the work, they replace the head. I put a little antisieze compound on the threads and was actually able to thread it 3/4 of the way in with just my fingers. I do not know if you have tried threading it in, but doing so gingerly should not cause any additional damage. It sure beats pulling the head. Good luck.
This just occurred to me 2 weeks ago with my 16 valve Jetta. I was able to gingerly thread the plug back in. There was some damage to the top of the threads but it went in. I was unable to get it in all the way, but I was able to drive the 40 miles home. At home, with the engine still warm, the plug went in the rest of the way. The next day I pulled it out to look at it and it came out well. My friend, a VW tech, said the absolute best way to go is to do nothing. I was asking about alternatives, and he said they all can result in problems and if the dealer has to guarantee the work, they replace the head. I put a little antisieze compound on the threads and was actually able to thread it 3/4 of the way in with just my fingers. I do not know if you have tried threading it in, but doing so gingerly should not cause any additional damage. It sure beats pulling the head. Good luck.
Stan- How did yours happen? Ws your head stripped?
JDeitz951- I removed the whole wire from the dist cap before starting home.
yieldsign2 - thought about loctite too but don't know if it would be good... Anybody? Wish there was a liquid aluminum or something that you could pu t on the threads of the plug and insert that would harden and form new threads. Oh well...
03-15-2005, 08:12 PM
#19
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Spoke to local Porsche mechanic. Said he can helicoil it for 75 to 100 dollars. Said he can do it with the head still in the car. Guy has great reputation and does good work.Tow to shop around 150 from towing company he recommends.
03-15-2005, 08:51 PM
#20
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Originally Posted by Brett944Cab2
The plug holes on my S2 are down *deep*. If I remember on a Timesert, there's an adapter that you drive the insert with. If that's not 4+" long, I'm not sure how you would get to the plug threads, much less see what you were doing down in the deep, dark hole.
03-15-2005, 09:15 PM
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Looks like Skunkworkz and I are on the same wavelength here, you don't HAVE to remove the head, only if you just insist on doing so. Put the grease on the tap and I'd about bet that you have only buggered the top threads and a chase with the tap will solve the problem. Grease on the channels of the tap will catch any loose chips. You can also put a greasy patch of cloth down the hole to help catch any chips. You don't have to remove the head, unless you just like wrenching or paying hans und fritz.
03-15-2005, 10:32 PM
#23
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Just found out the my roadside assistance will cover the $150.00 towing fee. Free for me (I love Geico). When all said and dine this whole fiasco can cost between 75-100 dollars. That's cheap in my book.
03-15-2005, 10:39 PM
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I sold a spark plug hole rethreader kit today. i work at napa. the part number escapes my mind right now, but it's made by balkamp. It's called save a thread or somethign along those lines.
03-15-2005, 10:45 PM
#25
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Originally Posted by hitbyastick
I sold a spark plug hole rethreader kit today. i work at napa. the part number escapes my mind right now, but it's made by balkamp. It's called save a thread or somethign along those lines.
03-15-2005, 11:08 PM
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Originally Posted by jeeper31
JDeitz951- I removed the whole wire from the dist cap before starting home.
.
03-17-2005, 10:50 PM
#27
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Resolution
Had the car towed in to the shop to the tune of $75.00, not the $150.00 i was originally quoted. $100.00 labor to install the insert and 25.00 for a new wire. He ran me through the process down to the grease to catch the filings. Place called PSH - Porsche Spoken Here did the work and they are great there. Very knowledgable and willing to help. Feel like a got away lucky. Now to get the hood fixed!!!
