General Snapped spark plug

[jammydodger87]

Hi, well my spark plugs were getting a change; first three, no problem, last one...snapped as trying to loosen it out
I was just wondering if I am going to have to get a new engine, or if it is at all possible to get the bit stuck in, out? If so, any ideas how much a garage will charge? Thanks

 

[SlinkyCinqi]

can you get a picture of where the spark plug has snapped? would help to analyse your situation.

Lenny

 

[chaos]

If it's only the ceramic that's broken you should be able to get it out with a suitable socket no problem.

 

[SlinkyCinqi]

:yeahthat: thats what i was thinking, why I wanted to see a picture lol

 

[jammydodger87]

can you get a picture of where the spark plug has snapped? would help to analyse your situation.

Lenny

I shall try and get a pic tomorrow, in daylight...
the bit that is stuck in the hole still is the entire threaded bit...if that helps?

 

[chaos]

I shall try and get a pic tomorrow, in daylight...
the bit that is stuck in the hole still is the entire threaded bit...if that helps?

What about the hex part? Is that still intact?

 

[jammydodger87]

What about the hex part? Is that still intact?

It broke beneath the middle hexagonal part of the spark, leaving only the threaded part of the spark in there


http://www.ted-kyte.com/3D/Pictures/Spark Plug.jpg
The bit that came out, is above the gold washer looking thing...all of that is out, so only the bottom bit is still in there :S

 

[Brooky]

jesus thats not good atall,probs a new head needed

 

[jammydodger87]

jesus thats not good atall,probs a new head needed

Bugger...any ideas to how much that'll be?

 

[SlinkyCinqi]

it an 899 or a 1.1 sporting?

 

[jammydodger87]

it an 899 or a 1.1 sporting?

It's an 899

 

[chaos]

How the hell did you manage to break it there?

You may be able to drill it out/cut a slot in it but if you had to put THAT much effort into it I'm wondering whether the plug has cross threaded in the head - that'll mean it would probably be easier and cheaper to just get a new head compared to getting the existing head helicoiled etc.

 

[SlinkyCinqi]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FIAT-CINQUECE...ryZ10382QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

they don't come much cheaper than that, plus the price for a head gasket kit, then i skim. Thats assuming you could fit it yourself?

Lenny

 

[jammydodger87]

How the hell did you manage to break it there?

You may be able to drill it out/cut a slot in it but if you had to put THAT much effort into it I'm wondering whether the plug has cross threaded in the head.

I have no idea...it was really quite tough to get out, a this silly old man, ex mechanic/next door neighbour of where I was doing it, said no it'll be fine, and therefore went for it, and snap, it went...
Anyone want Cinq, with slight running problem, bargain at £500, haha

 

[SlinkyCinqi]

How the hell did you manage to break it there?

You may be able to drill it out/cut a slot in it but if you had to put THAT much effort into it I'm wondering whether the plug has cross threaded in the head - that'll mean it would probably be easier and cheaper to just get a new head compared to getting the existing head helicoiled etc.

:yeahthat: although you could take it somewhere and have it removed and the hole helicoiled at the same time as having the head skimmed, your local motorfactors should be able to point you in the right direction, and if you buy the head gasket kit from them at the same time you might even be able to wangle a discount!

 

[jammydodger87]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FIAT-CINQUECENTO-CYLINDER-HEAD-899CC-1993_W0QQitemZ270163001657QQihZ017QQcategoryZ10382QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

they don't come much cheaper than that, plus the price for a head gasket kit, then i skim. Thats assuming you could fit it yourself?

Lenny

My friend is a mechanic, and I'm sure he'll fit it. How long do you think it would take...just wondering how many beers to buy him, haha...shall I steal a Carlsberg truck?

 

[Brooky]

if i was the guy fixing it i be more than happy with 20 carlsberg,which is £10 from asda.

P.S. please dont send me a cylinder head + a crate thru the post

 

[Ralf S.]

Blinkin' flip! Relax fellas.

If the plug snapped just leaving the threaded portion in the hole, then that's noting you did wrong. Normally the ceramic bit breaks off (if you twist the socket away from dead vertical) which leaves the hex' bit in there, which you can still get a socket on.

Anyway, all you need to do it take the head off and get the remains drilled out. There's these things called "easy outs" that screw into a stuck bolt anti-clockwise and act like a big corkscrew. Any decent mechanic will have some.

At worst, the thread won't shift or the head will be damamged during removal but I don't see why it should be. You can repair any damage to the head with a helicoil insert but frankly if you had to go to all the trouble of dismantling it, you may as well fit a replacement.

However... if you get lucky, someone may be able to get an Easy-Out into the plug without lifting the head. It's a nuisance.. but not toooooo bad.


Ralf S.