First, let me just say:
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Well, driving to my home this morning, unexpectedly, my engine went "Pop," and continued to go pop, pop. Under the hood, one of plugs had shot out of cylinder 3 and the plug wire was just flopping around!

Well, I got it towed and the mechanic said that he's replacing plugs/wires and gonna see how much thread is left - worst case scenario, he said he would have to "helicoil" the head. I understand the concept, but how reliable is it? Is this reccomended - what alternatives do I have. I was getting freaked because I thought I was about to have to start scouring the classifieds for a new head.

 

if you don't mind me asking, how the hell did your spark plugs just fly out? who worked on your car last? was it torqued down right the last time it was changed?
that just sounds weird, for it to fly out like thats.

 

They are very realiable if put in the right way. Really your only other option is to get a new head and that will cost big $$$$$ in comparision to a $14 helicoil kit. I would also like to know if the spark plug shot though your hood because that would be sick...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by philosofy1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">if you don't mind me asking, how the hell did your spark plugs just fly out? who worked on your car last? was it torqued down right the last time it was changed?
that just sounds weird, for it to fly out like thats.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I had a tune up about 10k ago - a local, trusted mechanic, but he has a bunch of immigrants working in there for him now. I am not going back. I can only assume it was overtorqued or cross-threaded. I don't think it would have backed out, or that it was not tightened enough; they don't need much torque in there, as I am sure you well know, and that Aluminum can be pretty soft, too.

I guess it's as the saying goes, "If you want something done right...." That's what I get for trying to save time. With all the problems I keep having with mechanics, I am going to fund my own lift in a storage unit, get a mig, tig, and compressor and become a hardcore DIYer - probably save money in the long run.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mrbigg9032 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> I would also like to know if the spark plug shot though your hood because that would be sick...</TD></TR></TABLE>

It put a nice little dent in it.

 

Make sure they use the correct length coil or it could pop again. The correct length should cover the complete hole not just half. I have seen many done with the short ones and they do leak compression.

Just my 2c