Hypothetical: cross-threaded spark plugs - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

Lurkable · 02-08-2008, 11:50 AM

How serious a problem could this be? I've recently been having an oil-leak into my spark plug tubes. Only a little in 2,3,4, but a serious amount in #1. And the other day, the connector for the spark plug wire in #1 popped off, presumably due to nasty oil build up making everything slick and greasy in there. So what, big deal right? Clean out the oil, get a new gasket...

But I noticed when I try to screw or unscrew that one spark plug, it feels like it is cross-threaded, whereas the other 3 screw out just fine. If #1 is cross-threaded, am I totally screwed? Maybe the oil was leaking down the threads of the spark plug? I don't know, I've never dealt with this kind of problem before. Any insight is appreciated.

Oh yeah, it's a stock '95 KA.

chibo · 02-08-2008, 12:21 PM

timesert.... pain in the ass.

Lurkable · 02-08-2008, 12:45 PM

Wow, looks like a pain in the ass. At least there's something out there though.

96Turbo · 02-08-2008, 12:53 PM

find out what the threads are on the spark plug, and run a thread chaser through the head. It would help smooth out the threads a little, and prevent you from doing any further damage by threading it in wrong. But depending on the damage to the threads....it might not solve all your problems

LA_phantom_240 · 02-08-2008, 01:01 PM

If it has to be rethreaded, you're in for a treat lol. I have no idea how one would go about putting a threaded insert in the head without getting shavings in the cylinder, or removing the head to do so.

kdashy · 02-08-2008, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LA_phantom_240

If it has to be rethreaded, you're in for a treat lol. I have no idea how one would go about putting a threaded insert in the head without getting shavings in the cylinder, or removing the head to do so.

You can put grease on the chaser so the shavings will stick, or buy a small hose attachment for a vacuum cleaner.

Howard92884 · 02-08-2008, 01:18 PM

You might have to invest in a tap and die kit.

highoctane · 02-08-2008, 01:19 PM

Maybe pressurize the intake side on the intake stroke for that particular cylinder. Air will keep on blowing out of the of spark plug hole while you are working on it, so whatever is being cut by the chaser will get pushed out by the air.

I've never done it, but just an idea.

boogerlovers · 02-08-2008, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdashy

You can put grease on the chaser so the shavings will stick, or buy a small hose attachment for a vacuum cleaner.

+1 for that, thread chaser and grease...

Risu2112 · 02-08-2008, 01:24 PM

This happened on my 1990 ka24de 2 months ago while trying to change the plugs... I was able to change #2 and #3 but 1 and 4 I couldn't get out without stripping the head.

It was very frustrating, instead of fixing the problem I left that shit in the garage and just moved up my LS1 swap 2 months sooner so I could have the car back!

If you decide to rethread that definitely remove the head to do so or you're gonna eat metal shavings all up ons your internals, Or see if you can just pick up a dirt cheap used/reman head and just switch it out, that actually might be much less work and not a big difference on the pocketbook. KA parts are cheap.

Edit: actually yeah the grease idea isn't to bad either (just read it) Be careful though if you go that way!

LA_phantom_240 · 02-08-2008, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdashy

You can put grease on the chaser so the shavings will stick, or buy a small hose attachment for a vacuum cleaner.

Hmm... damn good idea!

sr20boostn20 · 02-08-2008, 02:00 PM

As for the oil leaking into the plugs, check the round rubber gaskets that go around them. replace those and see if your problem persists.

or you can silicone them

02-08-2008, 11:50 AM	#1
Lurkable Zilvia Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: SF Bay Area Age: 39 Posts: 171 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Hypothetical: cross-threaded spark plugs How serious a problem could this be? I've recently been having an oil-leak into my spark plug tubes. Only a little in 2,3,4, but a serious amount in #1. And the other day, the connector for the spark plug wire in #1 popped off, presumably due to nasty oil build up making everything slick and greasy in there. So what, big deal right? Clean out the oil, get a new gasket... But I noticed when I try to screw or unscrew that one spark plug, it feels like it is cross-threaded, whereas the other 3 screw out just fine. If #1 is cross-threaded, am I totally screwed? Maybe the oil was leaking down the threads of the spark plug? I don't know, I've never dealt with this kind of problem before. Any insight is appreciated. Oh yeah, it's a stock '95 KA. __________________ Rim: n. The circular outer part of a wheel, furthest from the axle. Rim: n. A circular metal structure around which a wheel tire is fitted. Wheel: n. A solid disk or a rigid circular ring connected by spokes to a hub, designed to turn around an axle passed through the center.

02-08-2008, 12:21 PM	#2
chibo Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Tempe and Scottsdale, Arizona Age: 37 Posts: 1,425 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	timesert.... pain in the ass. __________________ 1989 S13 \| 1996 S14 \| 2001 E46 \| 2009 ZX6R

02-08-2008, 12:45 PM	#3
Lurkable Zilvia Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: SF Bay Area Age: 39 Posts: 171 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Wow, looks like a pain in the ass. At least there's something out there though. __________________ Rim: n. The circular outer part of a wheel, furthest from the axle. Rim: n. A circular metal structure around which a wheel tire is fitted. Wheel: n. A solid disk or a rigid circular ring connected by spokes to a hub, designed to turn around an axle passed through the center.

02-08-2008, 12:53 PM	#4
96Turbo Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: AZ Age: 36 Posts: 1,315 Trader Rating: (11) Feedback Score: 11 reviews	find out what the threads are on the spark plug, and run a thread chaser through the head. It would help smooth out the threads a little, and prevent you from doing any further damage by threading it in wrong. But depending on the damage to the threads....it might not solve all your problems

02-08-2008, 01:18 PM	#7
Howard92884 Zilvia Addict Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Puyallup, WA/Mosul, Iraq Age: 40 Posts: 829 Trader Rating: (1) Rides Gallery: Howard92884 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	You might have to invest in a tap and die kit.

02-08-2008, 01:19 PM	#8
highoctane Leaky Injector Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: MS Posts: 84 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	Maybe pressurize the intake side on the intake stroke for that particular cylinder. Air will keep on blowing out of the of spark plug hole while you are working on it, so whatever is being cut by the chaser will get pushed out by the air. I've never done it, but just an idea.

02-08-2008, 01:24 PM	#10
Risu2112 Leaky Injector Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: San jose CA Age: 41 Posts: 105 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	This happened on my 1990 ka24de 2 months ago while trying to change the plugs... I was able to change #2 and #3 but 1 and 4 I couldn't get out without stripping the head. It was very frustrating, instead of fixing the problem I left that shit in the garage and just moved up my LS1 swap 2 months sooner so I could have the car back! If you decide to rethread that definitely remove the head to do so or you're gonna eat metal shavings all up ons your internals, Or see if you can just pick up a dirt cheap used/reman head and just switch it out, that actually might be much less work and not a big difference on the pocketbook. KA parts are cheap. Edit: actually yeah the grease idea isn't to bad either (just read it) Be careful though if you go that way!

02-08-2008, 02:00 PM	#12
sr20boostn20 Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Lake Tahoe, CA/ LI NY Age: 38 Posts: 425 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	As for the oil leaking into the plugs, check the round rubber gaskets that go around them. replace those and see if your problem persists. or you can silicone them