Broken spark plug !GOT IT!

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pontiecast
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Broken spark plug !GOT IT!

Post by pontiecast »

Well, after I JUST hit 200,000 miles, I decided to give the Beretta a tune up. Broke the damn plug. Broke it off below the nut. Not sure what to do to get it out. Any ideas???
1994 Base. Auto.

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Last edited by pontiecast on Thu May 14, 2015 4:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.


1994 Chevrolet Beretta 3100 V6 White/Burgundy- 207,xxx SOLD :cry:
2008 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP Red/black 5.3 V8
2004 Pontiac GTO Torrid Red/Black 5.7LS1 6-speed
2016 Subaru Outback Premium package/some dark grey color
SuperLbody
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Re: Broken spark plug

Post by SuperLbody »

Get a vise grips and clamp it on. Should work.


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Asylum
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Re: Broken spark plug

Post by Asylum »

Anti-Sieze on the new plugs!!

If you can get a grip on it, that is good luck.

If not it's a pretty nasty fix.


Eric

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'91 California Quad (Gone with just a bit of "Seller's Remorse".)
'92 3500 GT gone and not really missed. It was fun. Documented 13.47 N/A.
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Money pit Beretta
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Re: Broken spark plug

Post by Money pit Beretta »

The only thought I have is to soak the threads(with oil) and try an EZ out.


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SuperLbody
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Re: Broken spark plug

Post by SuperLbody »

Money pit Beretta wrote:The only thought I have is to soak the threads(with oil) and try an EZ out.
That would work better! Good thinking! And DO NOT use antiseize on the new spark plugs. It affects the torque used on them and could damage the threads on the head as well as causing a weaker spark due to reducing ground electrical contact.


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Asylum
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Re: Broken spark plug

Post by Asylum »

SuperLbody wrote:
Money pit Beretta wrote:The only thought I have is to soak the threads(with oil) and try an EZ out.
That would work better! Good thinking! And DO NOT use antiseize on the new spark plugs. It affects the torque used on them and could damage the threads on the head as well as causing a weaker spark due to reducing ground electrical contact.

POPPYCOCK!

I have been using antiseize on plugs in aluminum heads for 35 years.

Never had an issue.

And have never had one break.

:beer:


Eric

Asylum Motorsports
"Where we're not happy 'til YOU'RE not happy!






'91 California Quad (Gone with just a bit of "Seller's Remorse".)
'92 3500 GT gone and not really missed. It was fun. Documented 13.47 N/A.
SuperLbody
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Re: Broken spark plug

Post by SuperLbody »

Asylum wrote:
SuperLbody wrote:
Money pit Beretta wrote:The only thought I have is to soak the threads(with oil) and try an EZ out.
That would work better! Good thinking! And DO NOT use antiseize on the new spark plugs. It affects the torque used on them and could damage the threads on the head as well as causing a weaker spark due to reducing ground electrical contact.

POPPYCOCK!

I have been using antiseize on plugs in aluminum heads for 35 years.

Never had an issue.

And have never had one break.

:beer:
I haven't either and have never used antiseize. Most manufactueres say not to.


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Asylum
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Re: Broken spark plug

Post by Asylum »

The problem is, there are torque specs on plugs in aluminum heads.

It's not like the old days with cast iron heads and you just "reefed them down".

I think my Quad is something low like 19 ft/lbs.

I forget the V6 specs, but it is rather low.


Eric

Asylum Motorsports
"Where we're not happy 'til YOU'RE not happy!






'91 California Quad (Gone with just a bit of "Seller's Remorse".)
'92 3500 GT gone and not really missed. It was fun. Documented 13.47 N/A.
SuperLbody
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Re: Broken spark plug

Post by SuperLbody »

All the more reason not to use it. Small torque values can get distorted with antiseize not to mention modern plugs come coated now to prevent issues.


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Asylum
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Re: Broken spark plug

Post by Asylum »

I would soak the hell out of it with WD-40, let it sit 24 hours and get an easy-out in there as best you can.

Just be gentle! Slow and steady wins the day!

Good luck!


Eric

Asylum Motorsports
"Where we're not happy 'til YOU'RE not happy!






'91 California Quad (Gone with just a bit of "Seller's Remorse".)
'92 3500 GT gone and not really missed. It was fun. Documented 13.47 N/A.
pontiecast
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Re: Broken spark plug

Post by pontiecast »

Thanks guys. I will definitely take my time. Soaking now. I'll let you know how it turns out. Really don't want to have to remove/replace the head.....


1994 Chevrolet Beretta 3100 V6 White/Burgundy- 207,xxx SOLD :cry:
2008 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP Red/black 5.3 V8
2004 Pontiac GTO Torrid Red/Black 5.7LS1 6-speed
2016 Subaru Outback Premium package/some dark grey color
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Money pit Beretta
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Re: Broken spark plug

Post by Money pit Beretta »

Lets just say that anything on my car not going into cast iron gets anti-seize. Yes even the TPS and IAC screws. Once one of my plugs came out with two upper threads, so they have all had anti-seize after that. I didn't want to risk having to buy heads(there is no reason to). I've yet to torque plugs, because using a universal throws that off anyway(then comes the Crapsman torque wrench). They have all been cranked tight but not too tight and have never had a problem with them. With standard plugs in the 90 I was replacing them every 5K. Put over 100k on that car so that should be proof of something(total miles 213k).


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Slinky
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Re: Broken spark plug

Post by Slinky »

I do use anti seize on everything that I don't put thread locker on, aside from stuff that gets really hot even though I use high temp nickel anti-seize good for 2500 degrees, anti-seize does affect the torquing of bolts and threads excetera but we're not building a nuclear reactor, there are torque specs for everything including the ones to install your center console armrest, in my opinion you should put threadlocker on the stuff you don't want to come and never seize on every bolt that you would want to come back out including your spark plugs, with our engines it's not like you're going to blow one out of your head with 17:1 compression like a diesel so the torque specing them is a little overkill, as someone else said use oil and an easy out and the only other suggestion I would have would be to use a penetrating oil like PB Blaster and let it soak for a while, at least a few days and be careful not to get too many shavings on your pistons.


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ifixalot
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Re: Broken spark plug

Post by ifixalot »

I replied on the 200k thread too. I hope that is on the front bank.
Heat with a propane torch. It makes the aluminum and the steel expand at a different rate
and when it cools it could loosen just enough to get it out with an easy out.
PB blaster and or liquid wrench are good to but they will evaporate with the heat. But use them anyway.
I use anti seize because it is steel going into aluminum. Different metals can corrode and lockup.
These plugs are a taper seat so it won't effect the electrical characteristics.
Sure if your change your plugs often, you might get away without it but in you leave plugs in for 30k
miles they can be a bitch to get out. They also tell you to warm the engine just a little to help get the plugs out.
Good luck


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themixer
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Re: Broken spark plug

Post by themixer »

I had the exact same problem in my 1995 2.2 Beretta, EZ out and WD40 overnight. After its out, turn the car on for a brief second and allow the compression to blow the extra junk and oil out of the cylinder. Good luck!

Oh yes and i agree with Asylum on the anti seize. I never gob them full of the stuff, just a very very light coat. Have never had a problem the 10 years i have been doing it. If the motor has 200k on it, its probably the last set you will ever need anyways.


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