I was changing plugs on my tC and a plug broke off leaving the threads and metal electrode end in the cyl. head. I can clearly see the head.

Any idea on how to get it out without doing any more damage?

I will take it to the mechanic tomorrow if i cannot get it out myself.

 

if just the threads are stuck in there then u have to remove the head to get it out

 

A spark plug:



Following is the portion which i think is still in there (except the electrode):



i guess i will have to take it to the mechanic then! ah well...

 

metal particles that are left inside may be you can take out with magnet/pick up tool.. safest way is to get it out is remove the head.. then have the it rethreaded if there its damaged

 

just curious how it happened? over torqued+heat?

 

^yup..my bad. :---)

 

it should only be lightly tightened, aluminum is kinda soft.. thats why i always use a torque wrench when tightening the plugs.. good luck fixing it

 

yeah it was my first time changing the plugs. got a little excited since it seemed too easy.

 

yeah its really tempting to tighten it even now I still feel like tightening it until there is strong resistance in the thread.. I've been controlling my urge and stick w/ the right thing.. oh i check my plugs once to twice month lol.. but thats coz im doing tuning wants everything im doing on check

 

i have definitely learnt my lesson the hard way. just hope that it doesn't cost too much to repair.

 

it shouldnt but the labor and time if the head will be removed is gonna suck

 

get a long flat head screw driver. out it down so you can unscrew the threads.

 

so over the weekend i started working on 'operation spark plug' and tried taking it out myself. the extractor which i was using to take it out got stuck. :---) so after that i finally gave up and had the car towed today to a mechanic. he was able to get it out and it cost $95. no damage was done. he said he used a bigger extractor to get it out and i was probably not using enough force.

all in all it was a good learning experience.

 

$95 well spent

at least you got away cheap

 

fyi: my insurance company (state farm) covers the towing expense which was $85. however, even though their underwriting department would not have taken this type of claim in account while assessing my premium on renewal: they were still going to report it to CLUE. this is not acceptable which is why i did not claim it.

i think sometimes people do not realize that even claims such as towing or mechanical labor can show up on your CLUE report and can have an impact on your premium increase.