Spark plug mystery, what did I just do??

[Investigator759]

Hi Guys, this is an embarrassing yet honest post. I was changing the spark plugs in my newly acquired 80 SC last night when I got to the front plug (closest to front of car) on the passenger side. I removed the old plug without a problem.

For years I have been installing plugs by hand with a piece of fuel line pushed on the front of the plugs to start it. Well this time I dropped the plug in with the fuel line attached and realized the fuel line was to short to grab by hand. Here is the problem, the plug and fuel line are gone !!!! Yes gone, what did I do ? Where did the plug and line go? is it possible on that front cylinder to drop the plug into a different location ???

Please help

Tom

[ant7]

Hi Tom,
Dont worry, it will be there somehwhere, just have a good look down under the heat shields etc, let us know when you find it!

Originally Posted by Investigator759

Hi Guys, this is an embarrassing yet honest post. I was changing the spark plugs in my newly acquired 80 SC last night when I got to the front plug (closest to front of car) on the passenger side. I removed the old plug without a problem.

For years I have been installing plugs by hand with a piece of fuel line pushed on the front of the plugs to start it. Well this time I dropped the plug in with the fuel line attached and realized the fuel line was to short to grab by hand. Here is the problem, the plug and fuel line are gone !!!! Yes gone, what did I do ? Where did the plug and line go? is it possible on that front cylinder to drop the plug into a different location ???

Please help

Tom

[RSTarga]

Use a strong magnet to try and fish it out

[NYNick]

Mirror and flashlight should help you look.

[Investigator759]

Ok. I just used a mirror and flashlight. Plug and fuel line are not near the threads in the head. Where the heck could it have gone? I see a cooler near that plug hole. I wonder if I fished it down there. This is ridiculous.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Investigator759

This is ridiculous.

You have not searched hard enough. Strong focused light beam. Mirror on a stick. Move around a lot.

Get a long flex grab tool and a magnet and be very patient. I drove an hour to help a guy that did the same thing. Took me close to two hours to get it out once I found it.

[NYNick]

Sometimes these DIY jobs just suck because you're the only one who can figure it out. I'm afraid this is one of those cases. Once you become ticked off enough, you'll work at it until you find it.

Happens to all of us. Sorry for your loss(t) plug.

[T77911S]

i had one get wedged in back there. #6. that sucked.

either use the factory spark plug tool or use what i do.
i have 13/16 craftsman sparkplug socket welded to a swivel welded to a short extension.
the socket holds the plug. you have to keep them securley attached or the socket can come of inside thehead.
i do use both BTW

[mikehinton]

The factory tool works best for me. In fact it was the only tool that would allow me to remove #6 on my '87 Carrera.

[Investigator759]

three hours and 4 beers later I got it. What a PITA. Thanks for everyone's help

[john walker's workshop]

The valve cover could have been removed to speed things up. 10-15 minutes max.

[Reiver]

The factory tool is great for the hand tightening/loosening withdrawal.
For tightening I prefer the proper socket and an extension that fits 'in' (just so the tip is exposed as that will clear everything).
I drilled a hole thru the socket head and the extension and safety wired it...no worries about separating at the wrong time.
Change plugs most ricky tik.

[Walt Fricke]

Reiver - I like your safety wire system, as I use a magnetic socket and the shortest 3/8" extension for this job. Though I have grippers and magnets and even a borescope to deal with dropped plugs or tools for the infrequent times this happens.

I'll have to see how a wired socket plus extension will fit in my toolbox system. I have the knurled wheel ratchet for the 3/8" stuff, so that would allow me to remove my wrench when the plug feels loose enough for finger twisting, and replace my well worn rubber hose for reinsertion preliminary turning.

[Joe Bob]

L O N G hemostats......every toker/wrench has a set.....or more.

[Zaz]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

The valve cover could have been removed to speed things up. 10-15 minutes max.

^^^ yep been there and removing the cover(s) makes it easy.

[jlex]

I feel your pain. a couple months ago, I removed the intake manifold on my BMW X3 to fix a vacuum leak at the gasket. Had it back on and was replacing the fuel rail when a fuel injector dropped into the engine. Lost an hour and a half looking for it. It's always something...