helicoil spark plug holes

[autotrader]

hello,

i understand that blowing a spark plug is relatively common on the 172.

my question is, those of you who have had a spark plug hole helicoiled, was the car ok long term after wards or did it cause more issues down the line?

cheers

 

[.Ben.]

i understand that blowing a spark plug is relatively common on the 172.

Genuinely never heard that one before! :S

 

[stu-172]

Lots of 172's have had this done. Never heard anyone with a problem. The only other solution is to replace the head which would be extremely expensive.

 

[SteveS Cup]

Never heard of this either!

 

[c__w]

Can't see it being any more common than in any other cars (ie not very common!). Usually it's when they work loose then blow out ruining the thread. I've had a spark plug helicoiled in-situ in my 205GTi (plus was loose and it worked itself out then blew out wrecking the first few threads and a new plug wouldn't tighten up). It didn't cause any problems at all, when the helicoil was fitted the guy told me to start the engine with this plug left out to blow any swarf out through the plug hole.

 

[NOT! gary l]

A heli-coil will be no different to the standard thread in terms of durability.

No need to worry.

 

[Fred@BTM]

hence a reason to torque spark plugs in

 

[Munson]

Should be more durable if anything? Steel thread in place of an ally one.

 

[Martin_172]

this is why i always always go on about torquing up plugs!! was it cylinder 3 by any chance?

 

[Iain C]

Cup cake had his cup heli drilled and it was fine for a year after.

 

[autotrader]

thanks for the advice.

i'm looking at buying a 172 as my daily driver and the one i'm looking at has had a hole helicoiled.

thanks for the info, nothing to worry about it would seem.:sleepy:

 

[Martin_172]

nope nothing to worry about, is it a black 53 plate by any chance? if so i may know the car (however loads have been helicoiled, just by the off chance!)

 

[autotrader]

nope nothing to worry about, is it a black 53 plate by any chance? if so i may know the car (however loads have been helicoiled, just by the off chance!)

no, it's red and in ireland