by "K-Roll-PorscheTamer" (k-roll390)
Published 09/21/2017 at 23:40
by "K-Roll-PorscheTamer" (k-roll390)
Published 09/21/2017 at 23:40
Tags: Fuck me right?
STARS: 0
Mustang developed an intermittent sputtering hesitation of sorts WOT that wouldn’t go away regardless of being tuned. I’d replaced the spark plugs and gapped them properly thinking that was it, and it didn’t solve it. I tried pulling a spark plug tonight to see how it looked and it broke in the cylinder head.
The ceramic insulator came out, but the threaded portion with the ground electrode (the curved bit) is still threaded in the head. I’m already feeling shitty enough knowing that I’m responsible for it, and even more so knowing that it’s not in the budget for me to take it to the dealership for my mistake.
Your choice, give me some advice or help (I’d prefer it), or call me a fuckup or idiot. I think I’m gonna crack open my whiskey and drink to sleep over this, haven’t decided yet.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
09/21/2017 at 23:43, STARS: 13
Good night’s sleep, yes. Whiskey, no.
"CB" (jrcb)
09/21/2017 at 23:44, STARS: 0
Shit happens, bud. It’s late, and a car is something than can be fixed. Get some rest, and look at it in the morning. It’s nowhere as big an issue as you think it is.
For reference, when I was young, we were riding on a snowmobile when it started acting up. My uncle pulled it, and I knocked it from where he put it down in a way so that we couldn’t grab it without burning ourselves on the engine. It was pretty fuckin’ cold, but we had to wait. Anyway, shit happens, spark plugs suck, but you’ll find a way to fix it.
"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
09/21/2017 at 23:47, STARS: 0
Any mechanic worth their weight in gear oil should be able to drill it then ezout the plug in about 15 minutes. Assuming you hang head in shame for them long enough they might not even charge that much.
"what??" (fal1can)
09/21/2017 at 23:51, STARS: 0
how is this possible? I have literally never done this and I have worked on countless cars, moto’s, atv’s, tractors, and countless small 2 strokes( which requires many plug pull and inspects when diagnosing).... and NEVER have done this!!
I mean, how hard are you cranking them in there for c**** sake?!!!
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
09/21/2017 at 23:57, STARS: 0
A tow is like $180, a fix might be a couple hundred, even less. It could be worse. No, I am not dismissing your frustration, I know a thing or two about everything going wrong on a car when trying to fix something.
"atfsgeoff" (atfsgeoff)
09/22/2017 at 00:01, STARS: 0
drill that thing out with a cobalt drill bit and extract it. Then use a shop vac to suck up the shrapnel that falls into the combustion chamber.
"K-Roll-PorscheTamer" (k-roll390)
09/22/2017 at 00:22, STARS: 0
If I could unscrew it with a drill and extract it that way, it could possibly work.
"atfsgeoff" (atfsgeoff)
09/22/2017 at 00:27, STARS: 2
left-handed drill bits ftw!
"FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com" (alphaass)
09/22/2017 at 00:29, STARS: 0
I understand that this is still pretty much a new car and you might like to take it to the dealer but this is the kind of thing that any competent independent shop should be able to fix pretty inexpensively. It happens, they’ve seen it before. Yeah it’ll still cost the tow but the total will be a lot less than the dealer. Another thought - you seem to have a lot of family who is really into cars - maybe one of them has the tools to help you extract it? I’ve been there before: newish car that I was making payments on and fucked something up that pretty much blew my budget for the month to fix. But you can get through it. Save the whiskey for a celebration rather than drowning your sorrows. In the pantheon of fuckups this isn’t that big of a deal.
"K-Roll-PorscheTamer" (k-roll390)
09/22/2017 at 01:07, STARS: 1
I found my solution.
"themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles" (themanwithsauce)
09/22/2017 at 01:22, STARS: 3
Idea - call up some local shops and see if someone can swing by and do it in your driveway for like 60$ cash or so. This doesn’t require a lift to get at, and many of them own their own tools so they might have the extraction tool.
Remember - the old Ford 5.4L V8 in trucks is infamous for breaking spark plugs just like you did. It is a very known problem so many mechanics in an area with a lot of Ford trucks probably have some tools to do it. Offer some cash, they come by and fix your mustang in your driveway in a few minutes, and all is good.
"Tohru" (tohrurokuno)
09/22/2017 at 01:25, STARS: 0
If you tapped the inside of what’s left of it with a left-handed tap, then you could thread a bolt into it and tightening the bolt would help force the plug remains to come loose.
"Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever" (superchan7)
09/22/2017 at 01:39, STARS: 0
Mobile mechanic seems like the right answer here.
Your car has a tune?
"KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs" (kusabisensei)
09/22/2017 at 06:29, STARS: 0
Fords are known for breaking off spark plugs in the heads. There was a massive TSB about it happening when the Modular engines first came out.
If you aren’t comfortable with attempting the screw extractor and vacuum method, pull the head and take it to a machine shop. They will also retap the threads for you as well, for less that the dealer would charge.
EDIT: Lisle also sells an extractor tool. They are the supplier of the OE Ford tool that the techs use at the dealership. $130.
"Straightsix9904" (Straightsix9904)
09/22/2017 at 08:37, STARS: 0
Use a pice of hose to really get in that combustion chamber with the shop vac.
"sammon287" (sammon287)
09/22/2017 at 11:19, STARS: 0
Common problem on modular Fords. Search for Fork spark plug extraction tool.