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Purple Martin Samba Member
Joined: May 27, 2004 Posts: 65 Location: Canberra
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Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2022 6:51 pm Post subject: spark plug keeps turning |
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I'm replacing my spark plugs. The first three came out easily and new ones went in easily. The 4th one was pretty stiff so I gave it some penetrating oil and let it soak, then after a little bit of wiggling back & fourth I was able to get it out. The new one screws in about 4mm and then just keeps turning without going in any further. What's going on? _________________ 1959 1600 bug
1975 2L bay camper |
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Eric&Barb Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2004 Posts: 24732 Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
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Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2022 7:05 pm Post subject: Re: spark plug keeps turning |
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Probably stripped head threads that are now in the old plug threads. Get a Time-Sert kits to install a solid insert.
Start using a quality never seize on the spark plugs from now on. _________________ In Stereo, Where Available! |
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Cusser Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006 Posts: 31360 Location: Hot Arizona
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Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2022 7:11 pm Post subject: Re: spark plug keeps turning |
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Eric&Barb wrote: |
Probably stripped head threads that are now in the old plug threads. Get a Time-Sert kits to install a solid insert.
Start using a quality never seize on the spark plugs from now on. |
I would try a spark plug thread chaser tool first (inexpensive), before I even thought about installing a solid insert; I used mine on a neighbor's Toyota after he'd fussed for 2 hours trying to thread in one of his plugs.
Anyway, I do run a solid threaded insert on #2 on my 1835cc engine, and it's held and worked fine for over a decade. I didn't use Time-Sert - considered the best - because it needs special install tools. I just used a steel solid threaded insert with red Loctite on the insert's outer threads and never-seize on the spark plug threads. _________________ 1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297 |
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67rustavenger Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2015 Posts: 9754 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2022 7:57 pm Post subject: Re: spark plug keeps turning |
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Eric&Barb wrote: |
Probably stripped head threads that are now in the old plug threads. Get a Time-Sert kits to install a solid insert.
Start using a quality never seize on the spark plugs from now on. |
I use a drop of oil from my dipstick to lube the sparkplug threads.
Never had one get stuck, either out or back in.
Hint: If your installing a sparkplug and it feels stiff threading in.
STOP and try again, to align the threads, correctly.
Forcing the sparkplug into the head is, just asking for future trouble. _________________ I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!
There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
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Purple Martin Samba Member
Joined: May 27, 2004 Posts: 65 Location: Canberra
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Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2022 9:13 pm Post subject: Re: spark plug keeps turning |
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Ugh, this is not good news. Please tell me I can tap in a steel threaded insert while the engine is in situ? _________________ 1959 1600 bug
1975 2L bay camper |
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Cusser Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006 Posts: 31360 Location: Hot Arizona
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KTPhil Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006 Posts: 33991 Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2022 8:44 am Post subject: Re: spark plug keeps turning |
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I had a shop thread for an insert with the engine in place. He used a generous amount of really sticky goop to catch the shavings. Risky, but it worked. Eventually I had to replace the heads but it lasted several years. |
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AirHead1966 Samba Member
Joined: October 17, 2019 Posts: 568 Location: Triad Area NC
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Eric&Barb Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2004 Posts: 24732 Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
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Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2022 1:27 pm Post subject: Re: spark plug keeps turning |
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Will advise against the Heli-Coil solution. Dealt with way too many of those coming out with the male threads when taking apart again. Since one is supposed to take out plugs for cleaning, inspection, adjustment and if need be replacement every 6,000 miles at every other tune up, there is too much chance of failure that way.
Solid inserts have various ways to be locked into place. _________________ In Stereo, Where Available! |
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AirHead1966 Samba Member
Joined: October 17, 2019 Posts: 568 Location: Triad Area NC
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Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2022 1:32 pm Post subject: Re: spark plug keeps turning |
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Eric&Barb wrote: |
Will advise against the Heli-Coil solution. Dealt with way too many of those coming out with the male threads when taking apart again. Since one is supposed to take out plugs for cleaning, inspection, adjustment and if need be replacement every 6,000 miles at every other tune up, there is too much chance of failure that way.
Solid inserts have various ways to be locked into place. |
Agreed, however if you look at what I posted, you will see that it is infact a solid insert. It is not the traditional spring- like Heli Coil. |
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Eric&Barb Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2004 Posts: 24732 Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
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Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2022 2:53 pm Post subject: Re: spark plug keeps turning |
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AirHead1966 wrote: |
Agreed, however if you look at what I posted, you will see that it is infact a solid insert. It is not the traditional spring- like Heli Coil. |
Hard to tell from the one image, and both the title and web address have "Heli-Coil in them. _________________ In Stereo, Where Available! |
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AirHead1966 Samba Member
Joined: October 17, 2019 Posts: 568 Location: Triad Area NC
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Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2022 3:30 pm Post subject: Re: spark plug keeps turning |
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Yep, that is the trademark of the company that makes it. Different product, same company trademark. The thing that I like about this over others like this (I have used it on a number of different vehicles) is that it comes with an anvil that expands the head and wedges the insert in the threaded hole. So you end up with threads, red loctite and the wedged head, all three, holding the insert in the hole. |
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rcroane Samba Member
Joined: January 03, 2013 Posts: 2000 Location: Springfield, Virginia
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Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2022 3:25 am Post subject: Re: spark plug keeps turning |
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I've had a solid insert in #4 for 10+ years. No issues. _________________ '65 Sunroof Bug |
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Joey Samba Member
Joined: August 12, 2005 Posts: 5366 Location: Nova Scotia - Canada
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Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2022 4:37 am Post subject: Re: spark plug keeps turning |
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I have both solid inserts and Heli-Coils in my engines for well over 10 years with no problems. _________________ Joey
‘60 Kombi - '74 Bus - '79 Panel - '65 Beetle |
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RLFD213 Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2009 Posts: 331
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Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2022 9:08 am Post subject: Re: spark plug keeps turning |
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First did you get the old plug out? And what do the threads looks like? Then if you can see what do the threads in the head look like? You can try running a chaser through the head. Use some oil to lube it and run the chaser. If you’re concerned about shavings then use a vacuum in the thread area and see if you can get any shavings out. |
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