Blew a spark plug out of the block!
- Thread starter awthorn
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JamesDean91
New member
Dang that shot out with some force.. I have not heard of any 3/2rz guys having this problem but I'm sure its happens since there aluminium heads. Time to get the helicoil out.
Just for future reference, spark plugs are installed in a cylinder head, not an engine block.
This is caused by one of two things; over-tightening the plugs to the point that the threads in the cylinder head are nearly stripped, and it's only a matter of time until the combustion chamber pressure forces the plug out. Or, the plugs were installed too loose, and it unthreaded over time.
Hope for the latter, because if the threads in the cylinder head are stripped, that's a more expensive and involved process to fix them.
This would be the way I would go, if the threads in the cylinder head are damaged: + TIME-SERT® SPARK PLUG THREAD REPAIR KITS + spark plug stripped thread repair kits for spark plug problems, thread stripped spark plug repairs in damaged threads in spark plug hole stripped out approved thread repair, aluminum head spark plug repair
This is caused by one of two things; over-tightening the plugs to the point that the threads in the cylinder head are nearly stripped, and it's only a matter of time until the combustion chamber pressure forces the plug out. Or, the plugs were installed too loose, and it unthreaded over time.
Hope for the latter, because if the threads in the cylinder head are stripped, that's a more expensive and involved process to fix them.
This would be the way I would go, if the threads in the cylinder head are damaged: + TIME-SERT® SPARK PLUG THREAD REPAIR KITS + spark plug stripped thread repair kits for spark plug problems, thread stripped spark plug repairs in damaged threads in spark plug hole stripped out approved thread repair, aluminum head spark plug repair
RonMAIDEN
Super Moderator
I had a coil pack short and it arced and melted the O ring gasket in the sparkplug well and leaked oil down to the plug allowing it to unscrew itself and then shot out all within a half hour but fortunately it didn't damage the threads and just needed a new coil pack, plug and new valve cover gasket set.
It wasn't dramatic when it happened, just starting making a loud popping sound followed a few minutes later by blue smoke pouring out the right side of the hood. Thought I blew the motor when we got the hood open and saw oil all over. It was convenient it happened less than a half mile from my mechanic's shop.
It wasn't dramatic when it happened, just starting making a loud popping sound followed a few minutes later by blue smoke pouring out the right side of the hood. Thought I blew the motor when we got the hood open and saw oil all over. It was convenient it happened less than a half mile from my mechanic's shop.
A.Wilson013
New member
My coworker had this happen with his 3RZ Tacoma. Even left the same dent in the hood.
Cause?
Another coworker told him to just hand tighten the plugs when he put them in.
Good luck, have fun!
Cause?
Another coworker told him to just hand tighten the plugs when he put them in.
Good luck, have fun!
Brignola85
New member
I had something similar happen a week ago. I tightened my #1 too loose, it worked itself out and burned up the coil pack while bouncing around. it went from running great to a smoking exhaust in 5 minutes. The coil's rubber boot burnt up and left a shitload of grey dust throughout the engine bay and cylinder head. I purchased a new plug, coil pack, and vacuumed the shit out of the head. Replaced the parts and runs super. 116k miles on my 97'.
awthorn
New member
Plugs and wires have been on for 10 months. Looks like it worked loose and messed up the treading. My mechanic only charged me $80 to put in the insert! He said the other plugs were a bit loose so he tightened them while he was in there. Plugs should be 14ftlbs dry right? Going to get a new plug and wires tomorrow. Turned out a lot cheaper than I had expected.
JamesDean91
New member
Nice now you can use whatever money you where thinking it was going to cost and get a sport hood Lol.
psraff
New member
Old thread, I know but it turns out I blew out a spark plug. I'm pretty sure the threads are gone in the head as well. Does anyone know which TimeSert kit I would need to repair? It claims "Over the Fender", but cutting any threads into a cylinder seems not a wise choice. Will be ordering a new coil and plugs as well. Does a new boot come with a coil, or is that a separate purchase?
I don't have time for this shit right now... I leave for the Slope in three days and I'll be gone for several weeks. I hope my kid won't need my 4Runner for any reason (She does have a good Jeep, so I'm not that worried about it). I'm just stressed and depressed like never before...
Maybe I'll look for a mechanic that does house calls (good luck with that....).
Please help...
http://www.timesert.com/html/sparkplug.html
I don't have time for this shit right now... I leave for the Slope in three days and I'll be gone for several weeks. I hope my kid won't need my 4Runner for any reason (She does have a good Jeep, so I'm not that worried about it). I'm just stressed and depressed like never before...
Maybe I'll look for a mechanic that does house calls (good luck with that....).
Please help...
http://www.timesert.com/html/sparkplug.html
Last edited:
psraff
New member
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YPUN39G/ref=aag_m_pw_dp?ie=UTF8&m=A2J41G0RQ2IUXBI think it's this one, but can anyone confirm?
Thanks.
Thanks.
psraff
New member
Dealing with Alum Heads... Is this a better bet?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0045CUNT2/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0045CUNT2&linkCode=as2&tag=overlanlifest-20&linkId=3SDBY2NZ2YREXDRD
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0045CUNT2/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0045CUNT2&linkCode=as2&tag=overlanlifest-20&linkId=3SDBY2NZ2YREXDRD
IBallEngineer
New member
That's the one, only I don't like those copper inserts. I just did this on mine but my friend had the kit, I just had to buy the insert. Mine was a redo of someone else's f&(% up, so I had to use the larger OD. I like this one too.
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:ranger:
psraff
New member
It's my understanding (very limited, just reading about it today only) is that those inserts are copper plated steel. My concern is Alum head with a Steel insert and the different heat properties. But maybe that's why it's copper plated to help transfer the heat back and forth.
Thanks for the info. I won't be able to fix it for several weeks so I'll be able to research more. I'm hoping to call a few mechanics tomorrow and see if they have one and have experience in using it. After that, I'll be up on the Slope for a while working.
I have an order in for new wires, plugs, and coil from Toyota of Dallas. I'll have those parts waiting for me when I return.
Thanks Again.
IBallEngineer
New member
I used RED loctite on the insert going back in. The sparkplug is already a different metal, I don't think the insert material is a big issue. The Ford V10's are known for this problem and they use the same thing to repair.
Good luck!
Good luck!
thegipper
New member
Several Honda/Acura's are notorious for this happening (3.2/3.5 V6). When I had my TL, I read a bunch of threads about how the spark plugs loosen up and can get blown out. I checked mine and several were EXTREMELY loose. My #5 cylinder spark plug had to be rotated nearly 5 times before it torqued back down to spec.
I believe the Ford V8's are known for this problem too (5.4L).
Never heard of it being an issue with any Toyota's but the principle is the same. Always torque them to spec and it never hurts to check them every once in awhile.
It should be able to be fixed though.
I believe the Ford V8's are known for this problem too (5.4L).
Never heard of it being an issue with any Toyota's but the principle is the same. Always torque them to spec and it never hurts to check them every once in awhile.
It should be able to be fixed though.
