Heli-Coil Spark Plug Port.

[Juude]

Okay so on the way back from FCS a spark plug came loose blowing it out of the port chewing up the HT lead and royally putting a downer on a mint day...

After hours of messing around, help from Donny and Mandy I got towed from just outside Rockingham to Corley Services on the M6, a whole 40 odd miles, untill we gave in and rang the RAC to recover me for a nice hefty fee.

Turns out the owner before replaced the spark plug and tightened it up too much stripping the threads inside the head on port 2...

It's a 02 plate RS 172.

Anyway... Rang Fred @ BTM this morning and even though they where mega helpful, they seem to be mega busy so I was wondering if there was anywhere quite close to the Stafford area that I could get my head heli-coiled?

How much money am I looking at to get it done? My friend said he has seen all four ports done for under £500? Am I looking at a 1/4 of the price or am I being spoon fed some s**t...

The other 3 ports seem to be fine but I wouldn't mind getting a specialist to look over them just to make sure they aren't going to do the same thing...

I don't mind waiting for BTM to do it but Sam told me they are preping a car for le mans so I guess they are fully booked for some time! Just want my 172 back to normal

Any help would be majorly helpful! Thanks!

 

[MicKPM]

You must've been the person Don left a voice mail for me about... silly Android phones eat batteries so didn't get it until I got home other wise i'd have stopped by on my way home.

I've seen this happen to a few F4R heads when people have gone silly with the plug socket. You might get away with re-tapping the thread but I personally don't trust heli-coils as they can unwind and you need to let any future garage working on your car know its been Heli-coiled to. Another option is a threaded bush insert such as "tapex" as these are bit stronger as they're not wire based and are normally bearing locked or "locktite'd" in place. Personally though, I would steer you toward a replacement head as they're cheap enough.

 

[Juude]

Yes Mick! H just sent me a message saying he's got in touch with you. No worries about not being able to get in touch or coming past. Can't be helped!

How much would I be looking at for a replacement head? Would you be able to fit one for me? Should I send you a PM about this?

 

[Gt rob]

how much for new head? if 'juude doesnt read the thread before tomorrow il text him.

 

[Gt rob]

sorry mate didnt realise you were online! thought you were napping!

 

[Juude]

I wish I was nappin pal! If you sent me a text it's because it ran out of battery due to it being a piece of s**t...

 

[MicKPM]

PM recieved and replied to

Mick