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Spark Plug Problem

Justin Fleming

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Worst imaginable morning for me. No good deed goes unpunished. I decided to do plugs on the perfectly running snow plow truck before winter for good measure. Its been 8 years since I replaced them last time.

Any help thought or ideas on how to get the rest of the plug out of the head would be greatly appreciated

1990 k5 cylinderspark plug failure.jpg #5
 
Can't see the picture because I have a free account. I assume that the spark plug broke in half and the threaded end is still in the block? If so, soak the whole area with penetrating oil, let sit for a day and then drill and use an easy out?
 
Yeah, that sucks. Is there anything sticking out enough to weld a nut to? If you start drilling, the center of the plug could come loose and potentially leave broken chunks of porcelain in the combustion chamber. Maybe move that piston TBD to work on it and when you're done hook a tube to your shop-vac to clean it out. Tiny flecks will likely just blow out of the exhaust valve, but you don't want stuff sitting on the ring to scratch the cylinder wall.
 
It definitely sucks but it looks like it could be worse. That piece of porcelain pictured appears to be the portion that protrudes through the threaded body to the electrode, meaning the only thing in the head is the hollow threaded part of the plug. I would think that a lot of penetrating oil and some patience might remove it out with an easy out.
 
yea the entire porcelain part came out..... so only the threads are stuck in there. Crazy part is they all were put in with anti-sieze and all the other ones once initially broke loose rolled out easily. So I don't this this is in there to tight. Whats your thought about applying heat with a torch?
 
yea the entire porcelain part came out..... so only the threads are stuck in there. Crazy part is they all were put in with anti-sieze and all the other ones once initially broke loose rolled out easily. So I don't this this is in there to tight. Whats your thought about applying heat with a torch?



Heating the head and cooling the plug would loosen it up. You could use a can of "electronics" compressed gas. Its used to remove dust from things like computer fans and stuff. But the gas that comes out is SUPER cold. You can freeze something by spraying it at close range or turning the can upside down. Without seeing pics, it really sounds like and easyout situation.

As far as the spark plug failure is concerned:

Counterfeit spark plugs are common, with some estimates suggesting that up to 60% of spark plugs purchased online are fake. Counterfeit spark plugs can be difficult to identify, and can pose serious risks to your vehicle's safety and performance. (Google)

The counterfeit spark plugs are made in China and often fall apart, break, crumble etc. I have ran across them before, and returned them for a refund. Its easy to make a cheap plug that almost looks genuine - but very difficult to duplicate them perfectly. So you will find small differences between the two.

For example:


 
1730149838225.jpegTheres a great example of salt belt rust! Not just confined to the northeast, but widespread through most of the northern states from eastern SD to ME.
 

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