Damage to spark plug thread in head

[Chris1974]

Hi,
Not Ford related but a friends got an issue with his car, he's gone to change the plugs on his Astra & he couldn't get one of the plugs to tighten up properly. The plug seems to be fully home & seated correctly but it doesn't tighten up like the other 3.

SO.

Is his head now scrap ??? Can it be repaired etc, has anyone had this issue on another car etc?

Any help would be appreciated.
Chris.

[Simon T]

It can be fixed with perhaps a retap, cast iron or alloy head?

It can defo be fixed, just not sure whether the head will have to come off or not.

[Chris1974]

It can be fixed with perhaps a retap, cast iron or alloy head?

It can defo be fixed, just not sure whether the head will have to come off or not.

Hi,
Thanks for the reply, thats great to hear !! I'm guessing a good engineering place could do the work?

it's an alloy 16v head.

Chris.

[petrolblue]

its a head off job as youll get bits falling into the engine but can be helicoiled i always put a bit of copper grease on threads off plugs...any good machine shop or engine builder should do this for you its not to expensive...just time consuming

[Simon T]

As above, any good engine builder, reconditioner or machine shop can do it.

[Chris1974]

Cheers Guys, I'll let him know. You've made his day I'm sure!!

[Sunnysidebb]

Yes it can be done. Standard Heli-coils or re-coils are not used. You can buy special inserts that are solid. They have thread on the outside and screw into a newly tapped hole and the inside of the insert is the plug thread size. There is no way they can disintegrate as they are solid and have a small shoulder so you cant screw then in too far.

http://www.ldemporium.co.uk/m14-spar...=google-simple

[Chris1974]

Yes it can be done. Standard Heli-coils or re-coils are not used. You can buy special inserts that are solid. They have thread on the outside and screw into a newly tapped hole and the inside of the insert is the plug thread size. There is no way they can disintegrate as they are solid and have a small shoulder so you cant screw then in too far.

http://www.ldemporium.co.uk/m14-spar...=google-simple

Some good info, I'll make sure this is taken into account when he gets it off.

[garet]

it happend to me,just buy kit as mentioned before...head dont have to come off,can be done in situ..
just dont put copaslip on plug thread,just some small amount of molycote..hope it helps

[Chris1974]

it happend to me,just buy kit as mentioned before...head dont have to come off,can be done in situ..
just dont put copaslip on plug thread,just some small amount of molycote..hope it helps

What car was that on, if you don't mind me asking? Is it possible to do it in situ on a 16v head?

Chris.

[grcossie]

This happened on my ex Sierra, i fix it whit head on, useing time sert. Never been a problem whit that

[garet]

it was on my escos,i bought trough ebay that kit...Thread Repair Kit For spark plugs.. Helicoil..and yes i did it in situ after my denso plug melted

[Chris1974]

Cheers guys. That will save a few £££ if the head can stay on.

[oddkidd]

just take it off and fix it right. Not worth taking the risk.