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Sat Mar 24, 2012 5:30 pm

I decided to replace my sarkplugs and wires. This is my first time removing the spark plugs. Removed and replaced #1 loosened and then twisted out with my finger. New plug went in with fingers and was tightened with wrench.

Problem came when I started to have difficulty getting out #2 I got it loosened with the wrench and tried unscrewing the whole spark plug by hand but instead I just uncrewed the little tip. Trying to hold it between two fingers it dropped and sat right below the plug. Got a compact mirror and tried to grab it with some pliers. Almost had it when it slid to the right (towards the front of the car) and out of site. I can't see it anywhere and I can't feel it either. It did not drop down onto the floor either. I crawled underneath and can't see up around the top of the cylinder to see where this tip wound up.

Will this just sit there or rattle around till it is shaken loose or... How in the world to I see where it is. Will it cause ANY damage? The whole through the tin is SO small I barely fit two fingures in there to go around the plug. Is there a way to remove just the little molded tin over the heads?

Please help me figure out how I can get this tip out of my engine compartment!

Sat Mar 24, 2012 6:37 pm

if it is just the threaded tip and you are positive it didn't go into the cylinder/spark plug hole, then don't worry about it. It will drop out over time. You can also try a magnet to pull it out.

Sat Mar 24, 2012 8:09 pm

it probably fell down in one of the fins on the head. No big deal.

Sat Mar 24, 2012 10:22 pm

the spark plug was still in the whole when I tried to get it out and it fell down by one of the fins, just can't see it or feel it to get it out.

Sat Mar 24, 2012 11:10 pm

The tip won't hurt anything. Usually they're aluminum, so a magnet is useless. Why was it on the plug anyway?
I guess you are using some kind of non-VW ignition wires?

Sun Mar 25, 2012 12:27 am

the old wires were some cheapo EMPI that one of the PO's installed. I'm replacing the wires with good quaily, Bosch! The main reason for the replacement of the plugs is because I felt the need to put better quality wires on. Figured I might as well do the plugs too since I don't know when they were last taken out.

Sun Mar 25, 2012 7:22 am

forget it.
so long is it didnt fall down spark hole.
it will fall to the ground soon, or just sit there for ever.
no matter.

Sun Mar 25, 2012 9:14 am

The title of this thread led me to believe that your problem was way worse then it was...

So far I've only dropped a couple of these VW engines but it's interesting to see what fell into the tins (and heater boxes). I've found nuts and bolts and even a whole spark plug that a PO some how dropped.

Just next time you drop your engine make sure nothing is wedged between the cylinders and and remove any rouge parts, until then as everyone has said: Not a big deal.