Plug throwing?!

Pike · 07-10-2003, 03:26 PM

So when I finally think I have the radiator fan problem figured out, the car sneaks up and smacks me when I am not looking.

_ The car >just< started acting like it was not timed right, and seemed to be missing a bit. I thought that was odd, but not surprising.

_ The temp here is just under 100 and the car has been in the sun with the hood up. It has had a little problem because the fuel has been evaporating out of the lines between test runs. I figured that it had to get a few bubbles out of the system. But no, after a minute, the missing was still there, very prominent at low RPMs but not noticable at higher ones.

_ So I gave the engine another look over. I found that spark #2 was loose, the cable wiggled and so I pulled it out, and there was some gas/ soot residue on the inside of the wire. Got a plug socket and was able to unscrew it by hand.

_ Why? I am going to take a look at the others as soon as the block cools down a bit, but why would it get unscrewed? I am pretty sure this is totally unrelated to the overheating problem, but it is really wierd. I have never heard of this happening. If everything looks ok, I will put it back together tomorrow and see if the missing is gone. I am almost sure it will be.

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

You are having way too much fun.

Pike · 07-10-2003, 04:05 PM

_ Dude I know that, but now I am freaking out! I pulled the rest of the plugs and they all look ok on the end. All but #1 have the oily/ sooty stuff on the threads and the fat part below the nut. They all were also looser than I would have thought. What would cause this? This evening I should have our digital camera and will take pictures of the plugs.

Mark_944S2 · 07-10-2003, 04:10 PM

Spark plugs do not undo themselves. They work loose because whoever fitted them did not torque them up properly.

The dirt around your loose plug is combustion products leaking past the plug.

Tighten them all up to the correct torque and don't worry about it.

Mark

rben · 07-10-2003, 04:37 PM

Don't forget to use anti-seize compound on the threads.
rben

Pike · 07-11-2003, 11:35 AM

_ I cleaned and replaced the plugs this morning. I put dielectric grease on the threads to make them easier to remove. The car cranks but will not fire cleanly. It backfires occasionally but will not even turn over. There is gas getting to the cylenders because the exhaust smells pretty strongly of it.

_ Is this because the plugs are not firing? I took them back out and they all smelled of gas but did not look particularly fouled. I will try them again and then maybe find some new ones. Right now I am running Champions.

TSNAPCRACKLEPOP · TSNAPCRACKLEPOP's Garage

check wires posititons and coil wire