Spark Plug Blew Out - Need Advice

[Mike97gt]

Do the timesert, works fine.. I have done it to several modulars and a few 3.0 DOHC V6 motors..

Paying to replace the head is a rip off and the old way to repair this. If I tried to replace a head under warranty for this I would have the warranty police at my dealer giving me a beat down.

 

[mrvax]

The mechanic I spoke to Saturday told me to cancel the TimeSert right away. He can do helicoils or inserts. I told him "no helicoil". He assures me with his full machine shop, that he can do the repair with an insert that he already has if he can see the spark plug hole.

So, I bring it to him tomorrow evening.

BTW: I rented a 2006/7 Chevy Aveo5. Total POS. With the a/c on and trying to merge into heavy traffic, the car screams to 6000rpms and goes no where. It's basically a golf cart. It does have a surprising amount of room inside. I'd hate to be in an accident in this shoe box.

 

[Mike97gt]

the problem with standard inserts/helicoil is the spark plug location changes slightly and detonation can be caused if any of the insert is in the chamber.

 

[mrvax]

the problem with standard inserts/helicoil is the spark plug location changes slightly and detonation can be caused if any of the insert is in the chamber.

Yikes, what do I suggest to this mechanic? He's an older gent with many years experience.

 

[Gearbanger 101]

The problem with a lot of older mechanics is they like to do a lot of things by "eye" or by "feel" like it was done back in the day. Precise measurement and high tech tools are less a priority and more an unnecessary annoyance and expense to them. What many don’t realize (or care to realize) is that today’s engine tolerances and complexities are much more precise than the old 350 Chevy or 302 Ford they put together 20 or 30-years-ago.

Not to mention so many hate to admit as they get older, their judgment and eyesight tends to deteriorate. Usually, any sort of constructive criticism or inquiry does little more than insults and irritates them, so just keep that in mind when you bring any sort of delicate work to one of those “old school” mechanics.

 

[68stang351]

The problem with a lot of older mechanics is they like to do a lot of things by "eye" or by "feel" like it was done back in the day. Precise measurement and high tech tools are less a priority and more an unnecessary annoyance and expense to them. What many don’t realize (or care to realize) is that today’s engine tolerances and complexities are much more precise than the old 350 Chevy or 302 Ford they put together 20 or 30-years-ago.

Not to mention so many hate to admit as they get older, their judgment and eyesight tends to deteriorate. Usually, any sort of constructive criticism or inquiry does little more than insults and irritates them, so just keep that in mind when you bring any sort of delicate work to one of those “old school” mechanics.

You're right. Lol, old timers- I have to deal with them everyday at work, and you're exactly right.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

The mechanic I spoke to Saturday told me to cancel the TimeSert right away. He can do helicoils or inserts. I told him "no helicoil". He assures me with his full machine shop, that he can do the repair with an insert that he already has if he can see the spark plug hole.

It has to be a TimeSert. NO HELICOIL! As Mike said Helicoil will cause pre-ignition in the chamber.

A lot of times you can recoup some of your TimeSert kit cost by selling off the tool after you use it.

 

[mrvax]

It has to be a TimeSert. NO HELICOIL! As Mike said Helicoil will cause pre-ignition in the chamber.

A lot of times you can recoup some of your TimeSert kit cost by selling off the tool after you use it.

Mr. Trout: TimeCert is a company that sells a kit to install inserts for your spark plugs. My mechanic is going to install (actually already has) installed an insert using another company's tool to install an insert.

He found another plug that was very tight, so I told him to just R&R all the plugs, if one falls out, just slap an insert in there. May as well do it now & get it over with. The one done today is drying overnight with Loctite Red on it.

The discription of an older mechanic above is funny but very true. You can learn a lot from them.

 

[mrvax]

OK, here's the update:
I picked the car up this evening from the mechanic's shop. He put an insert in it. He found a lot of crap on the threads of the other plugs probably from the anti-sieze I used. Maybe it was a crap brand?

Anyway, he chased all the threads on the remainding 7 and installed new plugs. His cost: $350. So that plus the rental car was a LOT cheaper than I had originally thought.

Car runs good, and I'm real glad to have it back on the road.

 

[Skud]

Cool!!

I'm glad to see there was a happy (well, all things considered anyways) ending!!

Riley

 

[AmBo]

Glad everything worked out for you!

 

[damacman]

Interesting how many 'stangers report this problem. It is obviously a design flaw on Ford's behalf. By not standing behind this, I wonder if Ford has considered the possibility of a class action lawsuit - this certainly has the makings for one.

 

[Mike97gt]

Interesting how many 'stangers report this problem. It is obviously a design flaw on Ford's behalf. By not standing behind this, I wonder if Ford has considered the possibility of a class action lawsuit - this certainly has the makings for one.

NTSB already investigated and came back with a ruling that a small percentage of engines have suffered this problem. From what I have seen in the field that might just be true.

I know this sounds like BS, because of the amount of people we read about having these problems, but there is SO MANY modulars out on the road so even if all mustang blew a plug that would not even make that much of a impact on the numbers, because 90 percent of these motors were installed in trucks and the NTSB considered them in the numbers as well.

 

[mutchock]

one thing with older mech is they also toat alot of exp under there belt they may know tricks you never even thought of and if thear older and still in buisness then they must be doing something right

 

[Gearbanger 101]

and if thear older and still in buisness then they must be doing something right

Sure...there are still plenty of old school OHV's running the streets for them to work on.