first post- blown spark plug.

mattchester · November 4, 2011

I have been lurking around on here getting lots of good info, but this is my first post.
My Wife's '02 Explorer just blew a (second) spark plug. 4.6l V8 162000 miles. The first time we were on the road and had a mechanic throw in one of those Napa/Dorman repair kits:
http://www.amazon.com/Dorman-42025-M.../dp/B000TYVU1U
Seemed to work fine, haven't given it a second thought 10,000 miles later.

A few days ago, a different spark plug blew.
Now this time, I thought I would do it myself. I followed directions, used a high temp thread-locker.
When I put the repair "sleeve" in, it seemed to go all the way. I tried to be very careful not to over-tighten it. Unfortunately, it just spins in the hole, I cant spin it with my fingers, but it will turn easily with the ratchet wrench. I cant tell if it supposed to or not (my guess is not). I am letting the thread-locker cure overnight and hopefully it will hold.
Anybody else have experience with this repair?
TIA

EXPLORER04 · November 5, 2011

With those kinds of kits, the adapter is not supposed to turn at all. Thread locker is not going to do much if it is already stripped. The proper repair now would be to pull the head, drill out the spark plug hole and insert a helicoil

mattchester · November 5, 2011

Yeah I was afraid of that...

matt0248 · November 7, 2011

http://www.timesert.com/html/triton_repair.html

Time sert. The set is spendy but works very well and no need to pull the head.

mattchester · November 7, 2011

I would try the timesert, but I can't get the insert from the other kit out now. It just spins in place.

mattchester · November 26, 2011

cal van

I went with the Cal Van kit. I like the idea that it uses JB weld to help hold the insert in place.
Installation was pretty straight forward, even with my cheap Harbor Freight compressor and limited mechanical skills. I felt so good about the install, that I decided to replace the doorman repair sleeve that the mechanic did this summer. Good thing too, as there were carbon streaks up along the side of the sleeve indicating that it was not sealing well and probably about to blow again. I haven't fired it up yet, I need a new spark plug boot. I am hoping all goes well.
A few days before the spark plug blew, I was hearing a loud "clicking" noise. I used a mechanics stethoscope, but couldn't figure out which cylinder it was coming from. Now I realize it was probably coming from all of the cylinders. So I went ahead and replaced all of the plugs for good measure.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cal-Van-389..._Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr&hash=item27bf805874

rocco123 · April 16, 2013

I just had my first plug blow out 150 mi from home. I used the dorman 42025 kit, but knew it wasn't sealing well. When I got home I pulled the adapter back out and found it wasn't seated because the corners of the adapter flats were hitting before the adapter was able to fully thread in (corners hitting plug bore). Ground off the flats about 1/2 inch back and reinstalled using JB weld. Felt the threads cutting as it went in and now no more blow-by. Quick & easiest fix by far, but now have to buy the HT1 plug but how often will I need to pull the plug anyhow. New accel coils on order. Just want to get the word out that if the Dorman kit doesn't seem to seal the hole, remove it and see if you need to fit the adapter by grinding off the corners a bit.

first post- blown spark plug.

mattchester

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EXPLORER04

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mattchester

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matt0248

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mattchester

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rocco123

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