Plug keeps walking...

ponygt · May 3, 2011

i have a 2000 gt, about two weeks ago i heard a tick coming from the motor (sounded like it was coming from the bottom end).. i already knew it was from the plug(s) and immediately checked them, a couple were loose. re-tightened, and tick went away. just a few days later the tick came back, so i pulled the little ****er out and doing so, it pulled the damn threads out with it.. uhg. had it fixed on wednesday (timesert) and just today another one was loose but i pulled it out and the threads were okay.. what should i do?

Deleted member 38176 · May 3, 2011

I just had one of mine walk on me last week. The only thing I could recommend is to 1.) make sure the plug well, head threads, and plug threads are completely clean 2.) tighten the plugs when the heads are as hot as possible (as hot as you can safely manage) 3.) torque them down to the proper specs

If they continue to back out after that then there could be a problem with the threads in your heads.

midnightdriver · May 3, 2011

Nightfire said:
I just had one of mine walk on me last week. The only thing I could recommend is to 1.) make sure the plug well, head threads, and plug threads are completely clean 2.) tighten the plugs when the heads are as hot as possible (as hot as you can safely manage) 3.) torque them down to the proper specs

If they continue to back out after that then there could be a problem with the threads in your heads.

I though you were only suppose to change the plugs when the engine was cold, ice cold?

If I were you I would buy some new plugs and add some anti-seize to them and see if that helps. How are you tighting them? Suppose to be between 11 and 14ft-lbs IIRC.

Could you use high temp lock tight? I honestly don't know, might take the whole head off when you change the plugs next time. But plugs backing out is a warning sign.

Rick 91GT · May 3, 2011

Pulling plugs out while warm is ok, but you should install cold to prevent any accidental cross threading.

Antiseize will help future removal, but not help retain them. Is it possible you didnt have them tight enough?

Timesert is a good repair, that damn repair kit is expensive I picked it up a few years ago.

98COBRA281 · May 3, 2011

Nightfire said:
tighten the plugs when the heads are as hot as possible (as hot as you can safely manage)

NOO! thats the worst thing you can do, we only have very few weak aluminum threads and they will pull out extremely easy when the engines warm!

Maxpowers · May 3, 2011

Always perform plug changes on a cold motor. Let it sit overnight.

What did you torque them to?

98COBRA281 · May 3, 2011

Maxpowers said:
Always perform plug changes on a cold motor. Let it sit overnight.

What did you torque them to?

13ftlbs, or 156 INlbs, its more accurate at lower TQ specs

Maxpowers · May 3, 2011

That was a question for the op.

Deleted member 38176 · May 3, 2011

Oops ya I had it backwards. COLD COLD COLD!

ponygt · May 5, 2011

Maxpowers said:
Always perform plug changes on a cold motor. Let it sit overnight.

What did you torque them to?

15lbs

and thanks guys for your help.
its just so annoying.
The problem came when i changed the plugs. Im the second owner and the first had it for over 9 years. i dont think the A hole ever changed the plugs lol the car is incredibly clean in and out so i assumed he took excellent care of it.. anyways.. I changed the plugs a few months ago and they were tighter than the lugnuts on a foxbody running radials. im assuming that f'd it right there.. they were damn near welded in there. After that i've had nothing but problems with them, #3 had a timesert last wednesday..

ponygt · May 5, 2011

btw i did them cold, i know better than that lol

duuscru2 · Jul 20, 2011

up here in the mountains we have that problem alot. how hard has this engine been run under load? I see at least 4 or 5 4.6s a year that this happens to . ... heilcoil

Noobz347 · Jul 20, 2011

Blue Lock-Tite, preferably the paste.

Plug keeps walking...

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