HELP i cant get a spark plug back in!!!

[Jimmy3716]

im only 16 and i took a spark plug out of my parents 2004 Dodge Caravan just out of curiosity and i cant get it back in!!!! the threads dont seem to catch. plz help!!!

[slantsixness]

Anti-sieze compound.
Put some on the threads. be patient, and remember they don't go in "Straight", but at a slight angle.
Use a rubber hose, or a used spark plug boot (push the boot/hose down over the insulator (the white part)) to start it. Sometimes if you try to start it with a socket and extension, you loose the "feel" of how it goes in and starts threading. Other times, using a socket and extension or ratchet to start threading can even damage the threads in the head.
Whatever you do, threading it in WILL NOT require FORCE!
After your crisis is over, tighten the spark plug(s) about 1/4 turn past "tight", and you'll be ok, as long as the plug isn't damaged.

[Jimmy3716]

thanx for the help but the situation was worse than i thought. i ended up cross-threading the engine block, i had a nieghbor come over and he helped me re-thread it with a spark plug from a lawnmower. anyway it works now but the engine sort of "skips" sometimes. any thoughts on this?

[onebadmust]

Originally Posted by Jimmy3716

thanx for the help but the situation was worse than i thought. i ended up cross-threading the engine block, i had a nieghbor come over and he helped me re-thread it with a spark plug from a lawnmower. anyway it works now but the engine sort of "skips" sometimes. any thoughts on this?

Yea beg for your parents forgiveness and if you don't already have a job get one, you might need it!

[slantsixness]

by skippping, Jimmy, do you mean it has an ignition miss once in awhile (not every rotation skipping once each time is another problem)?

Normally, that's caused by your ignition wires not being seated correctly on the plugs, or distributor.

Other common causes are:
distributor cap and rotor
Bad ignition wires

Try opening the hood, (at night when its dark) with the engine running, and disconnect the underhood light (if it still works!)
Now look at the ignition wires an plugs and distributor with the engine running, you should see an arc on the bad part(s) if you're lucky. Look carefully, but don't touch them when you find something, or you'll get an uncomfortable shock!

Then replace whatever seems to be causing arc, and your "skipping" should go away.

Lucky for you that your neighbor was able to help!

Slantsixness