Stripped out sparkplugs !!! HELP

Diesel_mp5 · 06-25-2005, 12:26 PM

I was changing the plugs on my 911 901/01 2.o today. The #6 plug came out in like three turns and I looked at the threads.. Alum....

The plug will not go back in right and I dont want to make it worse.

Is there a fix for this with out pulling the head? I was hoping they can do it in the car.

Any suggestions? Thanks

KNS · 06-25-2005, 04:40 PM

bump.

jacko241 · 06-25-2005, 05:53 PM

You can buy a kit with spark plug thread inserts, and the tool to install them at most auto parts stores. The tool cuts the hole for oversize threads, and then you just put thread locker on the insert then screw it in.

Zeke · 06-25-2005, 08:44 PM

Pull the motor. It would take a genious with a lot of luck to fix that in the car. I think there are some here that posess those attributes, but not many. Pull the motor. Even if you can do it with the head on, being able to work squarely in front of the hole would be a big advantage.

I have done similar work on a VW using a lot of grease on the tap and blowing air in the intake port all the while to prevent any shavings from entering the cylinder. This is with the exhaust closed so all the air comes right back at you through the hole.

I'd try a clean up of the threads first and a helicoil 2nd. Watch your eyes.

fred cook · fred cook's Garage

Zeke is probably right, pull the motor. But, if you are really desperate, try the following:

Take a shop rag and cut it into one long strip by cutting in a circle around the edges working to the middle. Soak the rag in oil and then feed the oily rag into the plug hole. Then you can go thru the regular steps of rethreading and inserting a helicoil in the plug hole. the last step is to use a pair of long nose pliers to grasp the end of the rag and pull it back out. The oily rag will catch the metal chips and leave a nice clean combustion chamber!

I have done this successfully before on other engines with aluminum cylinder heads. You will have to be very careful to make certain that the taps are going in straight or you could make the damage worse.

Good Luck!

cgarr · cgarr's Garage

Dont the 911 heads have a steel plug thread in them? The 912 heads have a steel insert from the factory, do the 911 plugs really only thread into the aluminum??

Craig

Paulporsche · 06-26-2005, 05:07 AM

Are you sure it wasn't aluminum antisieze compound you saw on the threads?

Early_S_Man · 06-26-2005, 10:56 AM

The early 911 heads used a Helicoil insert for the sparkplugs!!!

What you found on the plug was aluminum? Are you sure it wasn't a portion of, or complete, Helicoil that backed out?

Engine needs to come out to assess damage and effect the repair ... as Zeke said!

Diesel_mp5 · 06-26-2005, 03:44 PM

First of all I want to thank everyone for posting, I was worried that no one was interested. Ill try to answer the questions now.

Here is a pic of the motor. Got it in last weekend.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads5/Picture+0011119828980.jpg[/img]

Yes I think something is wrong. There is a difinate resistance when I thread the plug in. The plug also has messed up threads. I tried 2 plugs. Here is what they look like.

Here is a shot... the best I could get of the hole and the insert from what you guys said.

[img][img]

Well from the responces... Ill go ahead and pull it...

When I have it out of the car what do I do next, I have never messed with helicoils is there an easy way to remove them? Or should I bite the wallett and to take it to the Porschaus?
Thanks RIck

Diesel_mp5 · 06-26-2005, 04:52 PM

Ok, I read the thread and decited to pull the motor out. Damn shame that's 2 gallons of black gold in there...

here its in.

Now its out. Gotta love P-cars, try that with a chevy....

Here is the motor drivers side...

Here is that plug installed.

Here is the plug and some more metal.. I think it was the thread of the plug.

yasir · 05:56 PM

Why would it take you 20 minutes to pull that motor out

i know a Friend of a friend who can do it in 8 minutes ( of course i am joking )
I guess it would take me that long to just get comfortable under neath the car let alone pulling the motor out,some people are just plain gifted,i am jealous

Btw didn't know the older Porsche motor can fire the tennis balls

Diesel_mp5 · 06-26-2005, 06:22 PM

Well I didnt pull the tranny... I just slid it out the back.. If it had that late style pull clutch I dont think it would go that well. I got a little practice swapping my 912 street motor and the race motor I had.

Im think im going to stick it in the back of the chevy and take it to the DR.

yelcab1 · 06-26-2005, 07:46 PM

I think you are pulling our legs. Who would work on engines wearing a watch and a ring?

To really do this right, you remove the head and put in an Insert, not a coil.

Diesel_mp5 · 06-26-2005, 08:23 PM

Thats funny... you should see the crystal on that watch, I dont really mind though and the ring. I dont take that off. Being and engineer the stuff my hands see makes greese look like cake frosting.

My only question would be? Early s man stated that the plug had coils in from the factory. Would it need to get an insert or just a new heli coil.
Im am trying to stay away from pulling the head, next thing you know I would be twin plugging it and looking wether to change the chain boxes and cam towers.

Diesel_mp5 · 12-03-2005, 06:58 PM

Got the motor back. I had them put an insert in and then reinstall the plug.

The motor runs good and im glad I took all the good advice.

Ill be posting on my other page to see it run.

Instaling a Oil Tank into a 912 66

Thanks Agin.