94 Escort 1.9 L broken spark plug
Ron21
11-25-2008, 05:25 PM
I was changing the plugs in my 94 Escort when the plug in cyc 2 snapped off even with the hole. The threaded part is still in the engine but the hex part is broken off. Any ideas on how to get the threaded part out? The piece in the hole still has some of the insulator material in it and if it gets in the cyclinder will it do damage? The car has 340k on it so I really don't want to pull the head off.
Any ideas/help would be appreciated
:uhoh:
Any ideas/help would be appreciated
:uhoh:
denisond3
11-25-2008, 09:37 PM
Yes, the ceramic and metal tip at the lower part of the plug will cause damage if it gets into the cylinder (and you run the engine). I would try fishing the bits out with a strong magnet and long tweezers for the ceramic bits. Of you can get those pieces out, you might be able to unscrew the threaded part of the plug with an easy out - on the end of a 3/8" extension. I would use duct tape to keep the easy-out in the end of whatever size socket it takes to hold it on the end of the extension.
However, if the plug broke off at the threads, it could be badly damaged plug threads. In which case it likely wont come out using the easy out. Be sure to soak the threads with some penetrating oil - maybe for a day or 2 or 3.
If you get the broken piece of the spk plug out, you should use a spark plug thread tap to clean the plug threads up, and should probably do this for each of the 4 plugs.
I not too hopeful you will be able to get the broken threaded portion out. My experience is that such a situation happened because something already went bad inside the cylinder.
If little pieces of ceramic fall into the cylinder, and you get the threaded part out, put a copper tube into the cylinder and blow air into the tube, to blast anything loose out of the cylinder. The higher the air pressure you can use, the better. I would think 100 psi or more.
Good Luck.
However, if the plug broke off at the threads, it could be badly damaged plug threads. In which case it likely wont come out using the easy out. Be sure to soak the threads with some penetrating oil - maybe for a day or 2 or 3.
If you get the broken piece of the spk plug out, you should use a spark plug thread tap to clean the plug threads up, and should probably do this for each of the 4 plugs.
I not too hopeful you will be able to get the broken threaded portion out. My experience is that such a situation happened because something already went bad inside the cylinder.
If little pieces of ceramic fall into the cylinder, and you get the threaded part out, put a copper tube into the cylinder and blow air into the tube, to blast anything loose out of the cylinder. The higher the air pressure you can use, the better. I would think 100 psi or more.
Good Luck.
mightymoose_22
11-25-2008, 09:43 PM
The chances of you getting the rest of the plug out with an easy out or by any other means are slim. It would most likely just break apart at this point.
Though you don't want to do it, the most reasonable thing to do is to pull the head off to prevent any internal damage.
Though you don't want to do it, the most reasonable thing to do is to pull the head off to prevent any internal damage.
rhandwor
11-25-2008, 10:00 PM
I use a tool that looks like a 1/2 inch allen head with left hand threads. I use a socket with a magnet in it and get it tight. I then use a 1/2 inch ratchet and 1/2 inch socket. After soaking it with P-B Blaster I give it a quick jerk if it moves it will come out. http://www.ntxtools.com sell a special tool for this. I would use a small magnet and get the stuff out. Save it all and make sure.
I use a tool like this one. http://www.autopart.com/tools/toolsmain/tool/T_98141.htm Use red permatex on the insert and antiseeze on the plug. Make sure your on the compression stroke so metal shavings don't get on the valves. Hold your finger over the plug hole when cranking when you feel air stop. Use a small hose rapped with duck tape and vacuum out the hole. Way2old says some police cars have 50,000 on these repairs.
Greese the tap
CTA tool numbers are 2365 and 2364 for the removal. Use yahoo search CTA New tools Then click new tools for picture as they are expensive look and see if you can make something. The set I use I think are Calvan.
I always found the plug broke flush and the porceline was in the plug socket. I used long needle nose pliers pulled out everything before I started. On Tritons the plug usually blows out and breaks the coil, the insert comes with the plug.
I use a tool like this one. http://www.autopart.com/tools/toolsmain/tool/T_98141.htm Use red permatex on the insert and antiseeze on the plug. Make sure your on the compression stroke so metal shavings don't get on the valves. Hold your finger over the plug hole when cranking when you feel air stop. Use a small hose rapped with duck tape and vacuum out the hole. Way2old says some police cars have 50,000 on these repairs.
Greese the tap
CTA tool numbers are 2365 and 2364 for the removal. Use yahoo search CTA New tools Then click new tools for picture as they are expensive look and see if you can make something. The set I use I think are Calvan.
I always found the plug broke flush and the porceline was in the plug socket. I used long needle nose pliers pulled out everything before I started. On Tritons the plug usually blows out and breaks the coil, the insert comes with the plug.
Ron21
11-27-2008, 10:02 PM
Thanks for the good ideas.
I spent a good part of the day trying to get the piece out but no luck. I have used a easy out and lots of penetrating oil but can't budge it. Going to take the car to the garage next week.
:banghead:
I spent a good part of the day trying to get the piece out but no luck. I have used a easy out and lots of penetrating oil but can't budge it. Going to take the car to the garage next week.
:banghead:
denisond3
11-28-2008, 10:08 AM
I must admit that both times I had a plug snap off rather than unscrew, it turned out there was either a broken valve or broken valve seat -- and the head would have had to come off anyhow.
I hope you let us know how it turns out.
I hope you let us know how it turns out.
Ron21
12-05-2008, 03:41 PM
Took the car to the garage and he got the plug out after an hour and half with a easy out and a bit of heat. Threads were ok.
Thanks for the help
Thanks for the help
Davescort97
12-06-2008, 11:29 PM
Heat and easy out. I'll have to remember that one. Haven't had one break on me yet, btw I always let the head cool down at least 30 minutes before trying to remove a plug.
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