172 Cylinder head exploded spark plug. please help

[TOGUSA]

Right guys.

Somehow i have had a sparkplug explode its self from my current cylinder head. It has taken the thread clean away from the block so i can no longer fit a new plug into the head.

what are my options...

• Is the block scrap?
• can it be repaired on/off the car?
• what sort of price am i looking at for a second head fitted?
• are 172 and 182 heads the same? can i do a straight swop?
• would it be cheaper and easyer to just to get the whole engine refurbed? or new lump?

any ideas i would really appreciate it

Cheers again Guys

 

[Jonny1*2]

How bad is the spark plug thread? can it be salvaged?

1)The block "should" be fine, but you'll only find out when you take the head off (unless you can scope the engine).
2)Head would have to come off to repair, but the block could stay in situ.
3)Refitting a new head, with new belt kits, probably circa £800ish at a guess.
4)heads are the same, but the breather plates vary on top. You can put any head on the F4R block.
5)Second hand engine would be ~£600, less if you're lucky, and then just labour costs for fitting.

 

[TOGUSA]

there litraly is no metal left in the threads for a thread to be salvaged. it looks like somone run a drill down it and removed only the thread

 

[Jonny1*2]

new head it is then. I'm not sure what you're closest specialist is, but give them a ring and see which is the cheapest option. For me, it's either, new head, refurbed, fitted and new belt kits, or just get a second hand lump and chuck it in.

 

[Riley!]

I have seen stuff like this be repaired before, mainly from cross threading though. Get a specialist who deals with this sort of thing to have a look before you write the head off

 

[TOGUSA]

yea i was hoping that it could be welded up and re cut.

 

[MicKPM]

As above, the head is not scrap yet. I'm just repairing Judes that did exactly this now... I've got to post some photos for him later as his timing belt was fitted incorrectly by the last muppet that worked on it so I'll stick some up of the repair I've done to.

In short DO NOT use a "Heli-coil" wire repair as they're no good for spark plugs. What you need is a "Time sert" or "Tappex" putting in. Pics to follow later.

Mick

 

[sideways danny]

it will need a timesert, or if it's taken a lot of metal out, a bigsert

 

[Adey.]

I did all 4 on mine in situe after they blew out on the dyno, but I'm pikey and would of then stripped it if it didn't work. Lots of grease helped but if it wasn't mine the head would be off to do the job

 

[bmh.01]

I did all 4 on mine in situe after they blew out on the dyno, but I'm pikey and would of then stripped it if it didn't work. Lots of grease helped but if it wasn't mine the head would be off to do the job

Balls of steel turning that over after!

Hows the oil consumption .

 

[Adey.]

Lol tried it after each one, 10k on with the sc fitted and it doesn't use a drop

 

[TOGUSA]

with this timesert thing will it be a case of tapping the block to take the thread and then using somthing to clean out the loose debres inside?

 

[bmh.01]

with this timesert thing will it be a case of tapping the block to take the thread and then using somthing to clean out the loose debres inside?

Head off then do it really, best option would be to remove the head and take it to a place that specialises in this sort of thing. You've only really got one shot at it.

 

[TOGUSA]

ok cool ill have a look out for people that can do it, cheers it looks a much cheaper option atm

 

[MicKPM]

Here you go - Judes head from earlier:

Time-sert kit:

Standard thread after a clean:

Repaired thread with time-sert:

 

[Sam@NP]

If you need a head give us a call. We have plenty.

 

[Paddy_g46]

I did all 4 on mine in situe after they blew out on the dyno, but I'm pikey and would of then stripped it if it didn't work. Lots of grease helped but if it wasn't mine the head would be off to do the job

LOL! did you get a hoover in there after each 1?

 

[TOGUSA]

This is what iv done to mine

 

[Martin_172]

spark plug 3 by any chance?

my mate helicoiled his and it lasted 10k hard miles unitl he sold it, still goes about this day

 

[-KarL-]

spark plug 3 by any chance?

my mate helicoiled his and it lasted 10k hard miles unitl he sold it, still goes about this day

mine was number 3!

 

[john lloyd]

I had my old 106gti group coiled when a plug rattled loose and knackered the thread, lasted a few years no problem but what the above mention looks a better solution.

 

[TOGUSA]

would you belive it was the last cylinder on the right. i think its number 1

 

[Juude]

It's like a new head <3

 

[MicKPM]

Yeah I gave it a quick go thru the parts washer for you. I also ditched the 1" thick layer of silicone the previous mechanic used to stop the end caps and dephaser solenoid spewing oil everywhere before re-sealing the cam covers for you. I think you'll be very happy with it cos it flys once more

 

[Jonny1*2]

Yeah I gave it a quick go thru the parts washer for you. I also ditched the 1" thick layer of silicone the previous mechanic used to stop the end caps and dephaser solenoid spewing oil everywhere before re-sealing the cam covers for you. I think you'll be very happy with it cos it flys once more

Sorry for the stupid question Mick, but what conditions does the part washer work under? Temp? cleaning solution etc?

 

[TOGUSA]

just a quick update, hole repaired with timesert final cost £73.00 car runs sooooooooo much better and quiter. things must have been braking down for a long time

 

[stevescort172]

hi guys my sparkplug popped out cylinder 3 and had to get it helicoiled last year sometime, its still running fine but i can see that it is raised more than the others the ht lead sticks up more has this been done correctly!!!! i gonna get the cambelts done in few weeks is this gonna be a problem at all, im taking it to kech to get the work done.
i have a spare head that i bought of flea bay shud i get this refurbed maybe dont know wat to do help please

 

[MarcoB]

I wouldnt worry tbh.

 

[Fred@BTM]

hi guys my sparkplug popped out cylinder 3 and had to get it helicoiled last year sometime, its still running fine but i can see that it is raised more than the others the ht lead sticks up more has this been done correctly!!!! i gonna get the cambelts done in few weeks is this gonna be a problem at all, im taking it to kech to get the work done.
i have a spare head that i bought of flea bay shud i get this refurbed maybe dont know wat to do help please

there's a renault specialist in Bicester incase you didn't know! http://www.barrieplant.co.uk/ Neil plant - very good tech, knows his renaults!

 

[stevescort172]

there's a renault specialist in Bicester incase you didn't know! http://www.barrieplant.co.uk/ Neil plant - very good tech, knows his renaults!

thanks for the reply fred.
got so many problems need to get sorted
everytime i go over a indent or bump in the road i get a knocking noise from the wheel area feels like my steering aint connected, theres so many potholes around my area that happen to b next to a island in the middle of the road.
also getting a creaking noise when creeping in traffic can hear it more when i lift of clutch or turn steering wheel cant hear anything at higher speeds, im thinking driveshaft any info would be great.