Removing Snapped Spark Plug (using bolt extractor)

[wogstaa]

Hey Guys,

I somehow managed to snap a spark plug in the engine a few days ago.

It was really strange because I threaded the plug in with the socket by hand as I always do, it went in normally and I tightened it up hand tight.
I put my socket wrench on and gently turned it and bam no resistance, I pull the socket out and I see the broken plug.




I searched the forums here and I couldn't find anything on here about broken spark plugs.

I got it out fine after a bit of research and with the help of these

Because of the limited room on top of the engine to work I had to use a makeshift socket extension. I duct taped the bolt extractor onto a socket head, so it wouldn't move and fall and used a socket extension to get in the plug hole, no luck.

I decided to take the cam cover off so I could get a bit more room to work (I also decided to do valve clearances) I put the bit in again, this time I gave it a few taps with the socket wrench to seat it in, gave it a few twists and felt it come loose, I pulled the socket out and there it was.



One tip if you are going to use a bolt extractor to remove a broken spark plug, use one that is smaller than the thread in the engine head so you minimise the chance of the extractor fucking up the threads.

Anyways, that was my poor mans method of getting the plug out.

What experiences do you guys have with broken spark plugs?

[jlyall]

Nope but you have now made me paranoid that I might do the same :|

[rusty577]

Was it a old spark plug going in?

I usually replace the spark plugs after having them out.

Good job on getting it out. Nice work.

[wogstaa]

(06/12/2011 04:17)rusty577 Wrote:  Was it a old spark plug going in?

I usually replace the spark plugs after having them out.

Good job on getting it out. Nice work.

The plug was no more than 6 months old and had only done around 4,000km.
There was no signs of damage to it before I put it in.

[fatboy]

(06/12/2011 07:48)wogstaa Wrote:  

(06/12/2011 04:17)rusty577 Wrote:  Was it a old spark plug going in?

I usually replace the spark plugs after having them out.

Good job on getting it out. Nice work.

The plug was no more than 6 months old and had only done around 4,000km.
There was no signs of damage to it before I put it in.

First time I see a broken spark plug. I'd think a manufacturer's defect in this case, and nothing to do with the age of the plug, since the thread would give in much before you get a chance to shear a plug.

But a clean job of getting it out

[wogstaa]

It was the most random thing, but I reckon the look on my face when I discovered it broke would have been priceless lol.

I'm just glad I got it out easily enough and without having to spend too much money.

Every time I install spark plugs now I think I'm going to be paranoid about one breaking again.

[K916]

Same thing happened to me in 1995

I used an EZ-out to get the broken bit out

Was an absolute nightmare planning but was relatively easy to get out

[Beer Baron]

nice job on getting it out with the extractor mate. I reckon 50% of people who brake a bolt or stud (or spark plug) and go get an extractor end up with a fked thread, or sometimes a broken extractor sitting in the broken bolt! and they are FKING hard to drill out being super hard steel. you did well.

[nappa4eva]

the exact same thing happened to me last night. FFS I wanted to burn the MC22 down to the ground!

[Madman]

Nice work mate! Thumbs up from me