Cross threaded spark plug

[nieko]

I bought this car a few months ago and for some reason i havent changed

the spark plugs, well i decided to check them out because ive been

running rich lately so i pulled the first 3, looked perfectly normal, i pulled

the 4th plug and this plug wasnt even all the way screwed in. so i put a

new plug in and start threading it in and it goes almost all the way and

then it stops right where the old one stopped... i could probably keep

screwing it in but im afraid i might strip it completely. any suggestions?



I was thinking maybe tap it out but then its going to leave metal shavings,

and i dnt think the shavings are magnetic are they? Vacuum them out?

Crappy thing is, i have an event saturday. Well, give me some suggestions

you guys, thanks.




PS. This is a KA24E

[luisgonz]

I would suggest to run with it that way if you, Its not the best way. But if you tap the spark plug thread shaving could get in between the piston and piston wall, Could make life hell for you. Best way to do it is to take off head and check if its really stripped/ cross threaded. Any way you look at it, You will need to take off the cylinder head. Best of luck

[KAZA]

i think the sell spark plug thread sleeve...if u stripped it...and if the shaving fall in the block its ok, when the spark plug ignites it will disinegrate the shaving to dust and come out of the exhaust.

[Addicted2Kouki]

If it is really crossthreaded... Helicoil that bitch.

I had to deal with that problem when I first bought my car.


Youre lucky, my spark plug flew out,
it broke the spark plug, broke the boot for the spark plug wires, and put a dent in my hood.

[motonagam]

Put some white lithium grease on the tap... most of the metal shavings should stick to the grease. And also make sure the piston isn't at TDC when you run the tap in, or you risk damage if the tap contacts the top of piston.

[burnsauto]

yeah i'd skip the event this upcoming weekend if you're worried about something like this happening. I know it sucks:( but you want to make sure the car is reliable before you bring it to a track and let her rip. Driving home on 3cyl's isnt fun.

IMO - take of the head, either re-tap it yourself, or bring it to a reputable machine shop and have them do it for you.

I'm not sure if a helicoil will work in this case.. just because the helicoil is made out of another metal (other than aluminum) so it will expand at a different rate, and COULD cause a problem (just in my thinking, but i've been wrong before...anyone to confirm/correct this idea?)

[nieko]

Its kind of sad that i couldnt tell that it was like this, ive already done one

event with it like this and i bought the car about 3 or 4 months ago, it

seems to run fine but not as good as my old KA, thats why i decided to

check it out, it seems like the plug goes almost all the way in but there is

probably about 5 or 6 threads left... is this a good idea?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=97277

[mifesto]

not lithium grease but i'd use antiseize as it will withstand the heat somewat better. just dont put alot, alittle goes a long way.

[mjjstang]

tap, grease, done. its a ka who cares.

[TanaMU]

aluminum head = not magnetic ;)

[mjjstang]

oh, I was also going to say, why dont you use a compression tester, that way you can tell if it threads enough for proper seal, if so dont worry. yah its a bandaid but who cares.