TheSamba.com :: View topic - a spark plug exploded out of my engine today. =[

Mon Mar 15, 2010 8:45 pm

I have to preface this: my bug was my first car. I sold it after my parents deemed it unsafe, but as soon as I turned 18 and had my own say, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to buy it back. I've never really done any maintenance on it because I've never needed to, it's run very strong and I check the oil religiously. I've been waiting to rip the engine apart and find out how everything works and learn the secrets of VW from the ground up, but I've never had any time or reason to. In a few weeks I had planned to transplant the engine into a bus and along the way, learn everything I ever wanted to know about the dubs inner workings, so if what happened today had happened in a month, I may have had the knowledge to avoid my engine's catastrophic failure.

The man I sold it to (and bought it back from) was an enthusiast and said that my engine, while it did not look the best, was the strongest engine he's ever had in a VW as far as compression and reliability go. I always watched the oil but didn't do much else to it.

Today I went for my first drive since I've been back home in six months. I drove it to the nearest large town and when I got there, I noticed the generator belt shredded. I drove it a half mile to a parts store and got a new one, and when the owner of the store asked me if I knew how to put one one, I told him I'd seen the trick, but asked if he would explain it to me so I could perform it in the parking lot. "No, if you have only got 40 miles to get home, you could totally make it and do it at home with the right tools after watching the youtube instructional video". I clarified that the only problem I would encounter would be electrical and he assured me that if I kept my radio and headlights off, I'd make it fine on the battery's remaining charge.

Most of you probably saw the obvious problem with his statement, but unfortunately I just didn't know...

20 miles down the road... BAM! Spark plug blew out one of the cylinders and the engine smoked the road up pretty good. Melted aluminium on the spark threads.

A man stopped and was quick to tell me that the belt also turns the cooling fan. Damn. Damn Damn Damn Damn. Now I'm out of a ride at the least convenient time in my life possible.

Towed it home with a slack line (gotta love being in the hills... passed a cop and they didn't even care).

So I'm asking humbly of you people with ACTUAL knowledge of Volkswagens... What are my options as far as rebuilding? I will be trolling the forums here all night tonight to gain knowledge about engine rebuilding, but has anyone had a similar experience? What was the damage done, what needed to be replaced, and what was the cost of parts?

Thanks in advance.

Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:05 pm

Find a good used engine, and rebuild it. The damage you probably did to the internals on that motor is pretty huge running it until it failed like that.

Do you have any local vw places?

Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:14 pm

Feller on sacramento craigslist been selling rebuilt 1600 long blocks for 800 bucks or so...expensive way to learn about aircooled engines,tough break...odds are the case and heads are shithouse....

Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:15 pm

Inane Cathode wrote: Find a good used engine, and rebuild it. The damage you probably did to the internals on that motor is pretty huge running it until it failed like that.

Do you have any local vw places?

X2
You can dissasemble the overheated one to see how it comes apart. The case is fun to burn in a camp fire. Cut each half it in quarters, eights or smaller as a single case half will light up several acres as it will burn for a long time. To bright and the law will take notice.

Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:23 pm

perrib wrote: Inane Cathode wrote: Find a good used engine, and rebuild it. The damage you probably did to the internals on that motor is pretty huge running it until it failed like that.

Do you have any local vw places?

X2
You can dissasemble the overheated one to see how it comes apart. The case is fun to burn in a camp fire. Cut each half it in quarters, eights or smaller as a single case half will light up several acres as it will burn for a long time. To bright and the law will take notice.

I reckon if ya lit up several acres the law would take notice...Believe they call it arson...

Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:31 pm

thanks everyone. too rich for my blood. time to get the moped out. too bad the roads aren't good for a 20mph cycle around here...

i've got a friend that used to own a ton of shops and also bugformance 45 miles away. lots and lots of locals but i suppose it's too far gone. :cry:

Mon Mar 15, 2010 10:39 pm

If you do tear it down take some pics.

Tue Mar 16, 2010 12:41 am

I'm amazed you got anywhere let alone as far as you did, just driving 5 miles on an engine that was stone cold to start with would be enough to start toasting the heads

the stupid douche in the shop probably thought it was a new beetle you owned

i wouldnt count on anything from your original engine being salvagable

Tue Mar 16, 2010 12:45 am

unfortunately i believe he knew very well it was an old bug. parked in front of the door and saw him looking at it. i feel like i should call him and tell him for his future knowledge... he knew instantly what belt to get as well as soon as i said volkswagen and belt.

Tue Mar 16, 2010 6:18 am

Which town and partshouse? Placerville? Auburn? we should have a run out to his store just to let him know we know....

Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:53 am

Uhhh that's why I never listen to Jethro .
Ohh I hear um rattlin on over there but I dont hear a thing he say's ?
How's the Parable go ?
"There will be those that hear the word ."
"And hear the word of God ."
"Then there will be those that hear the word ."
"But do not hear the word of God ."
Irregardless put a Plugg insert in the Pulg hole and then a plugg and the belt back on it start it up .
See if bottom end is knockin .
Check End play .
Quit Blammin some Minimum wage Jethro for your screw up ?
Time to grow up some !
As to installin belt's on runnin motor's ?
Badd for the Gen / Alt Bushing's etc.
20 miles ?
Ive pushed Semi Truck's that far in the rain and snow all by myself . :P
Sean

Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:19 am

Unfortunately he was the owner of a local parts store in Placerville. But it probably just slipped his mind. I will politely remind him. I'll have to try that plug insert. Didn't know there was such a thing.

Tue Mar 16, 2010 12:16 pm

I've used a solid threaded spark plug insert on my engine for a few years now, check NAPA or CarQuest for decent ones, comes with a tap. Cut new threads, add red Loctite to the outer threads, use a little Never-seize lubricant on the spark plug threads. I did mine with the engine in the VW.

But first try to turn the engine over with a wrench on the pulley nut. And if the parts guy knew so much, he'd be making 3 times the $$$ working as a mechanic. You may have learned your lesson the hard way.

Tue Mar 16, 2010 4:36 pm

gaarie wrote: Unfortunately he was the owner of a local parts store in Placerville. But it probably just slipped his mind. I will politely remind him. I'll have to try that plug insert. Didn't know there was such a thing.

C and H?

Tue Mar 16, 2010 4:51 pm

I dont see how it's the parts guys fault. You likely smoked the motor before you even got there. You said you stopped and noticed it had a shredded belt. How long had it been like that? Then you drove it half a mile with no cooling whatsoever. That alone might have been enough to smoke it after it was already warmed up.

Wed Mar 17, 2010 9:59 am

It sounds like your engine is toast - write it off as the tuition cost of the VW air-cooled School of Rod Knocks. At that many miles, and that much heat, you probably can't salvage any of the internals, and I'd be surprised if the case itself survived. You're lucky you're in CA, there are lots of VWs there to pick over. Get a running motor for as little as you can get away with, and learn more about your ride, so you never end up with huge bills as a result of somebody else's ignorance.

If I totaled up all the money I've wasted by listening to self-declared experts - parts-counter guys, tow truck drivers, salesmen, etc - I'd be able to buy a house with a garage.

Stray

Thu Mar 18, 2010 2:11 am

Does the engine still turn over? If so, it hasn't seized (miracles will never cease!) - if you're game enough, try tapping the spark plug hole for a threaded insert, and put a plug back in there and give it a go - $25 and it may work out for you for a little while. Do suggest you do an oil change and check your valves too. What you got to lose? :)

Thu Mar 18, 2010 7:35 am

Yeah Plug insert and a Tapp .
Grease tapp so shaving's dont go down inside head .
They work to get By ?
But plann a new motor anyhow .
Problem with insert's is they can change Plug depth and even cause a Predetonation, condition under the extreme running .
But Normal use they work fine in a stocker I just wouldnt plann any cross the Nation in a Bugg and Back Tripp's .
Start it up see how she runn's !
Common to spit a plugg out < Due to Some one changed the Plugg's out on a Hott Motor is most Likely the Scenario ?
Good Ole Jethro !
Love that Stupid Bstrd .
" I bett it fouled the Plugg's ! Pull the Pluggs and clean um "
Yupp that and Tuneing it up by twistin on the carb with a screw driver .
Sean

Fri Mar 19, 2010 9:02 am

johnnypan wrote:
C and H?

perrrrhaps... but no matter. I like what Stray Catalyst said...

Stray Catalyst wrote:
write it off as the tuition cost of the VW air-cooled School of Rod Knocks

candymustang65 wrote: I just wouldnt plann any cross the Nation in a Bugg and Back Tripp's

I just got that out of my system on a 1980 Puch Newport II moped. 3500 miles at 25mph max. :)

I may have to sell it because I can't get it up the driveway and the stupid gated community is bothering me... If I can wench it up the driveway I'll take the engine apart someday. I have spent the last few days putting a new engine in my Honda, so now I almost have a ride. Thanks for the tips guys.