Spark Plug help desperately needed

dirtyhall · Dec 30, 2007

So here's the scenario....

According to the maintenance manual on the wife's '03 Sentra GXE, the spark plugs should be changed at 100,000 miles. These are the same plugs from when the car was bought with 25 miles on it. Well we bought some new plugs to change them out at around 86,000. Her car has been running a little funny like it's misfiring. Today the check engine light came on and so we had the code read and it was engine misfire. I have the right spark plug socket. Let the motor cool for about 2 1/2 hours. Changed out 2 plugs and was noticing that they looked a little rusty on the threads. Got to the 3rd plug and it was hard to turn. So I stopped not wanting to f' anything up. Tried to change out the 4th plug, same thing. Discussed with wife and she says to keep trying so I apply a little more pressure and the plug breaks off in the threads.

So I have about half the threads stuck. Anything I can do to get the rest out? Recommendations???

CoWBoY! · Dec 30, 2007

PB Blaster!!!!
sold at all most all auto parts stores like
AutoZone,Napa, or Schucks (sucks)
any how hope this might help a bit
-Jeff

mthompson223 · Dec 30, 2007

Remove the cylinder head.

pokey · Dec 30, 2007

so its just the threads in the head? The hex part is broken off? If so and you dont want to remove the head(best choice) then soak it with the PB blaster and use a large ez out. You might have to drive it in but it should be able to grip the sides. If you get it out this way be sure to blow out th e cyl real good to get all the material out before you turn the motor over. Your still not likely to get it all hence the reason taking the head off is the best choice.

Drifter · Dec 31, 2007

open the intake valve to that cylinder and put air pressure into the intake this will help keep it clean.

blackcj71 · Dec 31, 2007

mthompson223 said:
Remove the cylinder head.

DO NOT GO THIS FAR!

Try different lubricants to get them out... If ou can get it out but the threads are damaged tow it to a respectable mechanic and they can retap the threads. Next time use antiseize on the spark plug threads.

dirtyhall · Dec 31, 2007

blackcj7 said:
DO NOT GO THIS FAR!

Try different lubricants to get them out... If ou can get it out but the threads are damaged tow it to a respectable mechanic and they can retap the threads. Next time use antiseize on the spark plug threads.

I didn't put the plugs in that I am having trouble with. Factory did.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. The wife just wants to take it to a shop. I guess I'm a :looser: now....:booo:

War-Jeeper · Dec 31, 2007

blackcj7 said:
DO NOT GO THIS FAR!

Try different lubricants to get them out... If ou can get it out but the threads are damaged tow it to a respectable mechanic and they can retap the threads. Next time use antiseize on the spark plug threads.

in other words if you get stuck take it to this guy he'll help ya out:awesomework: :;

mthompson223 · Dec 31, 2007

blackcj7 said:
DO NOT GO THIS FAR!

Try different lubricants to get them out... If ou can get it out but the threads are damaged tow it to a respectable mechanic and they can retap the threads. Next time use antiseize on the spark plug threads.

Even if he does get the spark plug out, the threads are going to come out with it. Retapping is not an option. Putting in a thread repair insert is, but requires filling the cylinder with metal shavings. Want it done right? Take off the head. On-the-car spark plug thread repairs are hack.

mthompson223 · Dec 31, 2007

blackcj7 said:
hack? OK:jerkit:

Way to be disrespectful to someone you don't know over the internet. I guess you win because I'm not going to be like that to you.

Go ahead and do an on-the-car rethread, chances are it'll probably be a successful repair. Hell, the spark plug is probably a foot down in there. I'll admit I do them in my shop with the explicit understanding that I do not guarantee any repair durability or subsequent damage from the metal shavings or repair insert failure. Deciding to do an on-the-car spark plug thread repair needs to be an informed decision. You must understand that there's a chance you'll turn a cylinder head repair into a complete overhaul or perhaps you'll be taking the cylinder head off anyhow if something goes wrong. I've seen a few gouged cylinder walls in my day from on-the-car spark plug thread repairs, despite techs employing the usual cleaning measures. Don't forget the repair coil can blow out too and if that happens you're buying a replacement cylinder head.

The most durable repair is done by removing the cylinder head and taking it to a machine shop to be repaired. Unfortunately, this is also the most expensive/time consuming method too.

Drifter · Dec 31, 2007

put air pressure in the intake and drill it out. this works good. make sure that the intake valve is open.

Fordzuki · Jan 4, 2008

If you can get it out with an easy out, and the threads look a little fawkered up, Mac and Snap-on sell a spark plug thread chaser that expands once inserted, and you chase the threads out instead of in. This brings any shavings to the outside, instead of dropping into the cylinder.

JOOP · Jan 5, 2008

Ok once you do get the plug out make sure you put OE plugs back in it. What kind of plugs do you have in it now?

Nissan's are real picky about what plugs they run. Have to be OE plugs. Yours are most likely NKG Iridium's.

We had an Infiniti in the shop for a tune-up, put some autolite DP's in and had random misfire. Put NKG's in and the missfire went away.

Pook · Jan 5, 2008

If you do the helicoil repair, do the air trick with the valves and/or put grease on you drill bit and then the tap. It'll keep alot of the shaving stuck to the drill.

Then blow out the cylinder with air. I even attached a small hose to my shop vac hose and try to vacumn out anything that got left inside.

Had to repair the threads on my old 4runner, put another 25,000 miles on it after the repair with no issues before I had the motor fully rebuilt.

TigTorch · Jan 5, 2008

PB blaster is O.K but the real fo-schizzy is LIQUID WRENCH.

Flood it on the liquid wrench and let it sit 24 hours, then give her a shot.

Bunk1 · Jan 5, 2008

beatupyj said:
The wife just wants to take it to a shop. /QUOTE]

Anyone catch this part?

dirtyhall · Jan 5, 2008

Found out the head gasket was cracked. Trying to get the extended warranty to cover the repair but it doesn't cover spark plugs they say. I say the plugs are collateral damage caused by the head gasket cracks. We'll see what happens on monday.

Thanks to all that gave help. I will remember these tips if I run into this again.