So this is a new one for me... Driving my 97 limited to drop off parts for a friend and while leaving a red light I hear a bang and the engine starts stuttering. Pull over and pop the hood to find the middle spark plug (driver side) out laying on the head and the plug wire dangling. Any clue what happened?
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- Thread starter Leksikon
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ConstantFix
New member
wow that is weird...the only thing i can think of (not a master tech either) is that you had a spark plug only screwed in a few threads. engine vibrations causing it to unscrew and pop out. hopefully thats what happened. if some weird force caused it to break off in the block you might have an issue getting it out. but if the whole plug is out, id recommend, if youve got the cash, changing the plugs and wires.
shootmymime
New member
inspect if all of the spark plug is there. inspect if there is any damage to the threads of the spark plug hole on the cyl head threads. there is just about no way for a spark plug to blow out unless it wasn't screwed in and tightened to 13 ft.lbs. (i think thats spec) but you should be able to screw it back in if everything looks correct upon inspection.
im sure that got your heart going thinking what just happened! good luck putting it back together.
im sure that got your heart going thinking what just happened! good luck putting it back together.
I took a good look at the plug and it appeared to be in good shape. It was all present at least, just looked like a plug that had been in there a while. I think my last plug change was around 2 years ago, so maybe 20k miles. You're right shoot, that scared the crap out of me. I had a buddy come down with tools and was able to get the plug back in, threaded in well enough (as well as you'd expect a 16 year old hot engine anyway) and the truck fired right back up and drove fine. Got back to the house and parked it, guess now I'm just looking to figure out why that would have happened. I'll check the other plugs in the morning to see if they're loose as well and if everything looks good I'll go ahead and move up my Seafoam timeline and do new plugs/wires later in the week or next weekend.
In the meantime if anyone thinks of anything else I should be looking for or worried about let me know.
Until then I'll just consider it a strange occurrence, I don't think I've ever heard of this happening before so figured I'd share lol.
In the meantime if anyone thinks of anything else I should be looking for or worried about let me know.
Until then I'll just consider it a strange occurrence, I don't think I've ever heard of this happening before so figured I'd share lol.
Random question / thought... While I'm out messing with the 4Runner today, I've got an Oil Catch Can that I was going to install in my Infiniti and the one I ordered is too large to fit in that cramped engine bay. Is there a thread / DIY (or even just pics of an engine bay) for a catch can install? I searched a bit both here and on google and didn't have any luck, probably lack of coffee talking. Mostly curious about where folks mounted theirs, and wanted to verify I've got the right hose in mind coming off what I think is the PCV valve. The truck's got about 165k miles on it so figured having one wouldn't hurt at this point.
Thurlo76
New member
My 22re did that at one point, the first time it was due to a faulty crush washer on the actual plug. I replaced it, 2 months later it did the same thing (about 30 miles from my college that i was headed back up to) only this time the plug took threads in the hole with it. I had to do a heelie coil (i know i cant spell today.. just let it happen) the head myself while at college.... i would keep an eye on it. it might not seem like a big deal now but it sucks to end up having to do surgery on your rig 5 hours from home with limited tools.... Just check it every other weekend and after 2 months if it doesnt budge then you should be good
I guess I shouldn't "like" that post, but Thank You for the information. I'll definitely keep an eye on it. I got busy working on my other ride today and my back can't take any more so I'll give the 4runner some love tomorrow.
Sucks to be dealing with even a minor problem on this truck, it's been rock steady since I got it in '99. I'll keep an eye out like you said and I'll plan to seafoam it and replace the plugs this week when my other car gets back from it's alignment appointment Tuesday.
Not sure if anyone cares but here's the primary project, can't take it on anything but flat paved roads though so the 4runner will always have a home here, as long as I can keep her going.
Sucks to be dealing with even a minor problem on this truck, it's been rock steady since I got it in '99. I'll keep an eye out like you said and I'll plan to seafoam it and replace the plugs this week when my other car gets back from it's alignment appointment Tuesday.
Not sure if anyone cares but here's the primary project, can't take it on anything but flat paved roads though so the 4runner will always have a home here, as long as I can keep her going.
+1 for my 22re, had to drive 300 miles on 3 cylinders lol. That is a Heli Coil, worked like a champ.