Cross-Threaded spark plug

philje123 · 17-07-2008, 15:21

Hey there guys... had this problem for a while now... and now that i'm going to be changing spark plugs etc soon i was wondering if there is a way to sort it out... having a look down the hole i can't really see where/how bad its cross-threaded but the plug itself looks ok so must be the block itself thats causing the problem... the plug will go in pretty far but not all the way which i reckon may be causing her to splutter lately.

Any input much appreciated!

Lummox · 17-07-2008, 15:22

Remove plug and helicoil I would think.

philje123 · 17-07-2008, 15:39

Just looked into that... very clever stuff! lol

Would it be diyable or would i just be better off ringing round by the time i've bought the kit myself etc.

Phil

cheezemonkhai · 17-07-2008, 16:27

If you're handy with a spanner, how much is a decent head from a breakers and a new head gasket?

Boris the Mad · 17-07-2008, 21:47

its not difficult in theory. its whether you trust yourself. it requires drilling out to helicoil tapping size. tapping the helicoil thread. then inserting the helicoil. ok if you used to this sort of work. but i wouldn't recommend doing it without experience.

Lummox · 17-07-2008, 21:50

TBH as the monkhai says its probably just as easy to swap the head.

Boris the Mad · 17-07-2008, 21:59

agreed

vRSLen · 17-07-2008, 22:13

Just grind or cut along the thread of an old spark plug (across the threads) so it looks like a tap.

That should clean the threads up

cjb · 17-07-2008, 22:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by vRSLen

Just grind or cut along the thread of an old spark plug (across the threads) so it looks like a tap.

That should clean the threads up

If you do try this, slather it in grease so the swarf sticks to it: swarf in the cylinder wouldn't be good.

rigsby · 17-07-2008, 22:24

I would just run a tap down the hole first to clean up the thread. If you find the threads are to badly damaged , then go down the helicoil route, I just cleaned the threads on one a couple of months ago and its still going strong

anewman · 18-07-2008, 00:14

Will post a link to these as I have come across them before
Sealey Spark Plug Thread Chaser 14 & 18mm, VS525 at Tool Shop Direct
Sealey Spark Plug Thread Chaser 10 & 12mm, VS524 at Tool Shop Direct
Can't remember off hand the spark plug thread size though. Also no idea if these are any good.

KenONeill · 18-07-2008, 12:50

All plugs are one of 10, 12, 14 or 18 mm, so one of those will fit. Determining which is left to those who have a Felicia for reference material.

philje123 · 18-07-2008, 21:01

Might see about getting a new head and changing head gasket etc.

Will also get chance to put on the new inlet manifold gasket i've got to put on too!

17-07-2008, 15:21	#1
philje123 Nelly the Felly Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: York Posts: 1,644 Thanks: 48 Thanked 82 Times in 78 Posts	Cross-Threaded spark plug Hey there guys... had this problem for a while now... and now that i'm going to be changing spark plugs etc soon i was wondering if there is a way to sort it out... having a look down the hole i can't really see where/how bad its cross-threaded but the plug itself looks ok so must be the block itself thats causing the problem... the plug will go in pretty far but not all the way which i reckon may be causing her to splutter lately. Any input much appreciated! __________________ 96 Felicia Laurin & Klement 1.3 spi Hatchback (Now with Auto Headlights) -New timing chain -MOT passed with flying colours (again) 10/2008 -73,000 miles and counting!!

17-07-2008, 15:22	#2
Lummox U18 Automotive Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Newport Pagnell Posts: 21,805 Thanks: 22 Thanked 658 Times in 554 Posts	Re: Cross-Threaded spark plug Remove plug and helicoil I would think. __________________ Unit 18 Automotive Services now open Servicing, repairs, modifications you name it we do it. Cupra console bushes at special price, PM for a very competitive quote.

17-07-2008, 15:39	#3
philje123 Nelly the Felly Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: York Posts: 1,644 Thanks: 48 Thanked 82 Times in 78 Posts	Re: Cross-Threaded spark plug Just looked into that... very clever stuff! lol Would it be diyable or would i just be better off ringing round by the time i've bought the kit myself etc. Phil __________________ 96 Felicia Laurin & Klement 1.3 spi Hatchback (Now with Auto Headlights) -New timing chain -MOT passed with flying colours (again) 10/2008 -73,000 miles and counting!!

17-07-2008, 16:27	#4
cheezemonkhai Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 14,723 Thanks: 91 Thanked 412 Times in 383 Posts	Re: Cross-Threaded spark plug If you're handy with a spanner, how much is a decent head from a breakers and a new head gasket? __________________ Cars make CO2 and trees absorb CO2. By driving your car you're feeding a tree and helping the environment.

17-07-2008, 21:47	#5
Boris the Mad Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Edge of Fens Posts: 11 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Cross-Threaded spark plug its not difficult in theory. its whether you trust yourself. it requires drilling out to helicoil tapping size. tapping the helicoil thread. then inserting the helicoil. ok if you used to this sort of work. but i wouldn't recommend doing it without experience.

17-07-2008, 21:50	#6
Lummox U18 Automotive Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Newport Pagnell Posts: 21,805 Thanks: 22 Thanked 658 Times in 554 Posts	Re: Cross-Threaded spark plug TBH as the monkhai says its probably just as easy to swap the head. __________________ Unit 18 Automotive Services now open Servicing, repairs, modifications you name it we do it. Cupra console bushes at special price, PM for a very competitive quote.

17-07-2008, 21:59	#7
Boris the Mad Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Edge of Fens Posts: 11 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Cross-Threaded spark plug agreed

17-07-2008, 22:13	#8
vRSLen Bully Bully :) Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 5,071 Thanks: 169 Thanked 178 Times in 123 Posts	Re: Cross-Threaded spark plug Just grind or cut along the thread of an old spark plug (across the threads) so it looks like a tap. That should clean the threads up __________________ Current car: Black MKII Octavia vRS Combi Previous: Black MKI Octavia vRS Combi Black Fabia Elegance 100 BHP

17-07-2008, 22:24	#10
rigsby Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: DONCASTER Posts: 1,043 Thanks: 16 Thanked 108 Times in 105 Posts	Re: Cross-Threaded spark plug I would just run a tap down the hole first to clean up the thread. If you find the threads are to badly damaged , then go down the helicoil route, I just cleaned the threads on one a couple of months ago and its still going strong __________________ I DONT WANT TO DIE A GROWN UP!!!

18-07-2008, 00:14	#11
anewman Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Leeds Posts: 2,512 Thanks: 984 Thanked 222 Times in 205 Posts	Re: Cross-Threaded spark plug Will post a link to these as I have come across them before Sealey Spark Plug Thread Chaser 14 & 18mm, VS525 at Tool Shop Direct Sealey Spark Plug Thread Chaser 10 & 12mm, VS524 at Tool Shop Direct Can't remember off hand the spark plug thread size though. Also no idea if these are any good. __________________ 94 Favorit GLXIe Estate

18-07-2008, 12:50	#12
KenONeill Briskodian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Normally somewhere in Scotland! Posts: 10,381 Thanks: 56 Thanked 491 Times in 482 Posts	Re: Cross-Threaded spark plug All plugs are one of 10, 12, 14 or 18 mm, so one of those will fit. Determining which is left to those who have a Felicia for reference material.

18-07-2008, 21:01	#13
philje123 Nelly the Felly Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: York Posts: 1,644 Thanks: 48 Thanked 82 Times in 78 Posts	Re: Cross-Threaded spark plug Might see about getting a new head and changing head gasket etc. Will also get chance to put on the new inlet manifold gasket i've got to put on too! __________________ 96 Felicia Laurin & Klement 1.3 spi Hatchback (Now with Auto Headlights) -New timing chain -MOT passed with flying colours (again) 10/2008 -73,000 miles and counting!!

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