Odd spark plug question....

[VaSteve]

I was out driving this morning...stopped for gas.

When I got back in the car, it seemed to be missing. I checked the plug wires and #3 was disconnected. I put it back on but couldn't get it to click in place. It ran much better When I got home, I checked and found the "nipple" on the end had backed off and all that was left was the threads.

I dug around in there with a magnet but no luck.

I'll just go buy a new plug and take off the nipple, but what ill efffects might the nipple floating around in there cause? I'm imagine it would be OK, because if you break a head stud, they float around with no problem (other than the broken stud ), but I want to make sure..

Thanks

[TerryH]

I'd want to ensure the spark plug terminal isn't sitting at the base of the plug so that it could possibly enter the head if the plug was removed. Chances are it came off with the wire and ended up in the street, but better to be safe than sorry.

I would think if the wire was attached securely, the terminal should still be in the plug wire. But then, if the wire was attached properly, it wouldn't have been able to spin itself free either....

When I saw I had to install those terminals on each plug when I changed mine recently, I snugged each one with a pliers.

[VaSteve]

Originally posted by TerryH
I'd want to ensure the spark plug terminal isn't sitting at the base of the plug so that it could possibly enter the head if the plug was removed. Chances are it came off with the wire and ended up in the street, but better to be safe than sorry.
.

Nope. This happened. I saw it and tried to get it out with a magnet and must have knocked it in.

I'm f*cked.

[patkeefe]

VaSteve:
Try filling your cylinder with oil, and put your magnet in and stir it around. The oil will push the terminal end around and eventually you'll get it. You may be able to get it with a vacuum. The oil gives it a medium to move through.

Yes, I used this maneuver once. You have nothing to lose.

[TerryH]

Originally posted by VaSteve
Nope. This happened. I saw it and tried to get it out with a magnet and must have knocked it in.

I'm f*cked.

Man Steve, I'm sorry to hear that! You haven't ran the car since the piece disappeared? I think those terminals are aluminum = non magnetic. Hope there's an easy solution to this quandary. Lighted scope with grabber tool attachment? They use them in surgery....

[Steve87-911]

Originally posted by VaSteve
Nope. This happened. I saw it and tried to get it out with a magnet and must have knocked it in.

I'm f*cked.

Oh man. That sucks bigtime. I hope you can find someone to help you do TerryH's Lighted scope with grabber tool trick. Or maybe even patkeefe's vacuum deal. I can feel your pain all way over here.

[VaSteve]

Upon a second, final, closer inspection I found that I actually knocked some dirt and crap on top of the tip. I screwed the plug back in and 45 frustrating minutes later was able to extract the tip with some racer's duct tape wrapped around my finger - the only tool that I was able to reach it with. [whew!]

[pa911]

The vacuum idea sound good!