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Spark Plug Blew Out - Need Advice

  • Thread starter Thread starter mrvax
  • Start date Start date May 3, 2007
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Mike97gt

it doe snot
Founding Member
Jan 26, 1999
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the people's republic of massachusetts
May 5, 2007
#21
  • May 5, 2007
  • #21
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

Stay thirsty my friends
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
5,225
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79
SN Moderator: Orlando, Fl.
May 5, 2007
#22
  • May 5, 2007
  • #22
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

it doe snot
Founding Member
Jan 26, 1999
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the people's republic of massachusetts
May 6, 2007
#23
  • May 6, 2007
  • #23
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

Stay thirsty my friends
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
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SN Moderator: Orlando, Fl.
May 6, 2007
#24
  • May 6, 2007
  • #24
svttech76 said:
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.
Click to expand...

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

Gearbanger 101

Straight Outta Locash
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 10, 2002
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Ontario, Canada
May 6, 2007
#25
  • May 6, 2007
  • #25
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.
 
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68stang351

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May 16, 2002
850
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Savoy TX
May 6, 2007
#26
  • May 6, 2007
  • #26
Gearbanger 101 said:
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.
Click to expand...

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

Kilgore Trout

Fried or Broiled ?
10 Year Member
Mar 30, 2005
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May 7, 2007
#27
  • May 7, 2007
  • #27
mrvax said:
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.
Click to expand...
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

Stay thirsty my friends
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
5,225
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May 7, 2007
#28
  • May 7, 2007
  • #28
Kilgore Trout said:
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.
Click to expand...

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

Stay thirsty my friends
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
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May 9, 2007
#29
  • May 9, 2007
  • #29
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

Member
Sep 10, 2003
493
0
17
Saskatchewan
May 9, 2007
#30
  • May 9, 2007
  • #30
Cool!!

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

Riley
 

AmBo

Active Member
Feb 3, 2004
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36
New Jersey
May 10, 2007
#31
  • May 10, 2007
  • #31
Glad everything worked out for you!
 

damacman

Member
Aug 12, 2003
529
0
16
Phoenix, AZ
May 12, 2007
#32
  • May 12, 2007
  • #32
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

it doe snot
Founding Member
Jan 26, 1999
10,633
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the people's republic of massachusetts
May 12, 2007
#33
  • May 12, 2007
  • #33
damacman said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
M

mutchock

New Member
Mar 1, 2007
3
0
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May 13, 2007
#34
  • May 13, 2007
  • #34
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

Straight Outta Locash
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 10, 2002
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May 13, 2007
#35
  • May 13, 2007
  • #35
mutchock said:
and if thear older and still in buisness then they must be doing something right
Click to expand...

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