Could a Air filter push a spark plug out?

[bennettxo]

So I have a after market air filter on my 1.2 mk3 fave lift clio just for a better induction noise. Anyway since yesterday my engine management light has been flashing for a few seconds then going off. So I was driving down the duels and the car started to slightly chudder and then a small sort of pop and then it sounded like my exhaust blew. Got out to see a spark plug had been pushed out. So I pushed it back it as far as I could(had no tools in my car) and was running fine. Could the air filter cause it to push out? Or was it simply not tightened when it went to the garage 2 weeks ago for gear box oil change because the gear box was notchy(they didn't know it was a oil change so they must of been looking around the engine etc)

Managed to get home was driving fine but having a look at it tomorrow due to it being dark. Should imagine I need new spark plug. And I hope it's not the thread on the engine.

Sorry for the long type up

 

[...]

It was loose , i doubt the garage sorting the gearbox touched it.
Threads could be shot and were when you bought it but it certainly wasnt the air filter

 

[Dan@SJM]

Previous spark plug change was either over tightened or under torqued.

 

[bennettxo]

Thanks for the replies guys,going to tighten it back when the rain stops

 

[bennettxo]

Right only now had the chance to look because the rain stopped,pulled it out and looked like this

Any idea how it's like this?

 

[Dan@SJM]

Yeh it's stripped some of the thread, but where the piston has been going up and down it'll have been blowing the plug up and sucking it down

 

[bennettxo]

Yeh it's stripped some of the thread, but where the piston has been going up and down it'll have been blowing the plug up and sucking it down

Makes sense haha,was confused why it got pushed up. Getting a new set for £15 tomorrow and will fit them hopefully all will go well

 

[Dan@SJM]

You might be lucky. DO NOT force it, if it won't screw in by hand get it retapped.

 

[Ianboom]

It doesn't look like it was threaded in very far for a while?? Plug gap looks a bit wide too!

Hopefully the plug threads are still ok, but would have thought the (alloy?) head would have stripped first??

 

[bennettxo]

It doesn't look like it was threaded in very far for a while?? Plug gap looks a bit wide too!

Hopefully the plug threads are still ok, but would have thought the (alloy?) head would have stripped first??

I have no idea but I've got my mother friend that's a mechanic looking at it tomorrow

 

[Michaelfoz]

that'll be fine. its obviously been under torqued then the engine vibrations have allowed it to come loose
when its got to the last two threads the engine compression has popped it out over the last two threads.
if the plug threads were in a good condition then that would suggest damage to the engine

as the plug is damaged its suggests the block should be fine.
(the softer material will be deformed)
the material that has been removed from the plug will PROBABLY have blown out of the chamber at the same time

long story short. put new plugs in and torque to correct value and everything should be fine!!

 

[bennettxo]

that'll be fine. its obviously been under torqued then the engine vibrations have allowed it to come loose
when its got to the last two threads the engine compression has popped it out over the last two threads.
if the plug threads were in a good condition then that would suggest damage to the engine

as the plug is damaged its suggests the block should be fine.
(the softer material will be deformed)
the material that has been removed from the plug will PROBABLY have blown out of the chamber at the same time

long story short. put new plugs in and torque to correct value and everything should be fine!!

Thanks for your help man

 

[Michaelfoz]

no problem

 

[MrDave]

Out if interest if you were to re tap the hole with the head in place how would you stop any shite falling into the engine?

 

[Ianboom]

Take the cylinder head off!

Seriously, would be interested to know how too.

Are the 1.2 steel or ally heads?

 

[bennettxo]

Take the cylinder head off!

Seriously, would be interested to know how too.

Are the 1.2 steel or ally heads?

I have no idea,been sorted and mechanic said its fine

 

[Dan@SJM]

Inlet manifold off, open inlet valves, adapt Hoover to fit inlet port and vacuum whilst drilling.