Spark Plug popped out w/ wire still in it? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

FishyMan · 03-11-2011, 01:04 AM

Today the camry started to bog and felt week and there was a rapid tick. It was the spark plug popping up and hitting under neath the hood. For some reason the spark plug popped out.

I checked the plug and it was attached to the plug wire, and the plug's thread looked okay, not stripped.

I am afraid of a bigger issue? I will try see if I can thread the spark plug back in. This is weird.

Any idea or help?

Thanks.

***RningOnFumes*** · 03-11-2011, 01:20 AM

Was it recently serviced? -- simple human error/>?

Safari Wagon · 03-11-2011, 01:54 AM

If your plugs weren't changed recently, maybe they are popping out asking to be changed

I'd get new plugs and make sure you tighten them well

tacosteelersman · 03-11-2011, 06:23 AM

The 1mz-fe get 13 foot lbs, I prefer to use an inch pound torque wrench for low torques like this. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN, DO NOT UNDER TIGHTEN and always use never sieze compound on plug threads.

FishyMan · 03-13-2011, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Safari Wagon

If your plugs weren't changed recently, maybe they are popping out asking to be changed

I'd get new plugs and make sure you tighten them well

Hi Folks,

I appreciate the help. It hasn't been changed in a while, but I've never heard of something like this. If it pops out, doesn't it mean the threads on the spark plug and head would be destroyed?

I plan on picking up some VPOWER NGK and changing it. If in deed I cannot torque the spark plug in, what would that mean?

Thanks

tacosteelersman · 03-13-2011, 06:35 PM

If any threads are stripped it's the aluminum head threads. Try to install a new plug on that cylinder and tighten to spec. If the threads are shot the best answer would be to pull the head, take to machine shop or get a different head. I have heard of hit and miss success using head thread replacement kits without removing the head, but thats risky bussiness.

jderrick · 03-16-2011, 08:12 PM

Today I went over a bump, heard a pop, heard what sounded like a loose belt, checked under the hood, and a plug had come out! Seems like the same thing and thanks for the advice, everyone!

pmesfun · 03-16-2011, 08:29 PM

Are you talking about the spark plug or the spark plug wire?

My friend has the cheap BWD wire set in his camry(5s-fe) and one of them would pop out on their own and misfire, etc. New wire set under warranty and no more problems.

Is that your problem?

jderrick · 03-17-2011, 11:21 PM

Hey! It was the plug and the wires and I was able to screw the plug back in and there wasn't any stripping of the threads. I'll check the torque and apply some anti-seizing compound.... Thanks!

FishyMan · 03-19-2011, 04:08 PM

I cannot hand thread the plug back in. So does this mean the head is screwed?

How would I go about replacing this?

carsrus · 03-19-2011, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FishyMan

I cannot hand thread the plug back in. So does this mean the head is screwed?

How would I go about replacing this?

If its the 4cyl take off valve cover then remove sparkplug tube on offending cylinder.

Youll have a good amount of room to work with then.

Look up Heli Coil and Time sert. Do some research hand figure out which one to go with.

Make sure to clean alllll the shavings out good and have someone hold a vacuum next to the drill while your going at it.

You do NOT have to remove the head. If youve got a crazy amount of miles and think it might be head gasket time then sure get a used head and do the gasket and timing belt. But Heli Coil fix should last a gooood long time.

FishyMan · 03-20-2011, 02:58 PM

I plan to take it to a shop? Is there anything I should order or get done? I don't feel compfortable w/ a heli coil for some reason..

***Silent Runner*** · 03-20-2011, 04:10 PM

Your probably not going to have to change plugs too many times in the life of the car, but I can't emphasize enough the importance of using an anti-seize compound when installing plugs in an aluminium head, then torquing them only up to spec numbers.

I payed a huge price for not knowing this information on another manufacturers turbo-charged engine, not so long ago.

carsrus · 03-20-2011, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FishyMan

I plan to take it to a shop? Is there anything I should order or get done? I don't feel compfortable w/ a heli coil for some reason..

You can Timesert it then, thats even easier. If your taking it to a shop make sure theyve done this before. If someone rushes it or does it wrong its not gonna be pretty.

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