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Spark plug broke and threads are still stuck


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cardude88
Novice

Aug 11, 2021, 9:47 AM

Post #1 of 16 (1764 views)
Spark plug broke and threads are still stuck Sign In

I have a 2018 Ford Escape with 44,000 miles. I went to change the spark plugs. This is the first change. 3 of them came right out with zero issues. The last one would not move. I sprayed penetrating oil and slowly worked it for over 2 hours.

Finally, it came lose. To my horror the top half of the spark plug came out. The threads are still inside stuck. If you look at the spark plug hole it just looks like a hole, however the threads from the spark plug are still there on the sides.

Is it possible this was cross threaded from the factory? What are my options? Will the dealership charge me an arm and a leg?

https://i.postimg.cc/90zmxXnb/PXL-20210811-141856559.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/rmfyCRQz/PXL-20210811-141906495.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/...210811-141913890.jpg
Pic #1 >


(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Aug 12, 2021, 1:56 AM)


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Aug 11, 2021, 10:38 AM

Post #2 of 16 (1745 views)
Re: Spark plug broke and threads are still stuck Sign In

1st just tell me it's "taper seated" no gasket on others?
Bet is (save me the look up) it's taper and either too tight or bad luck, never saw a new one crossed doesn't mean it couldn't happen.
Anywho - you can try high quality screw extractor on smooth inside of the threads. If you can view thru the ground electrode should just bend if extractor hits it. Also make sure that cylinder's piston is down don't make a hole in that doing this.
Use PB today if not yet and again in couple hours do NOT flood the cylinder with that just Q-Tip or something right where.
Alloy and probably steel of plug's threads plus taper seated is trouble. So is maker using a plug that can do that good ones can't are one piece of steel - bummer.
It's bitchy but should come out? If now threads in hand see metal of the head super carefully use a "thread chaser" don't be off or it won't take a new plug we'd be into Heli-Coils I'd much rather avoid.
It's serious! This is newer for this than the ones that did that to me - many were a brand I'd bash but refrain from doing that.
OE this is inexcusable IMO as you fear you risk having to take off the head and have it fixed!
Take your time, cross fingers and DO NOT RUSH IT.
I've won but it could take waiting for PB a day keep up with that.
I'll save another which is just heard of by me not done hope never is freeze the threads wasting a liquid/gas like propane or something should make those smaller than the head and easier.
It's real and with risk I wish you luck or if scared of a disaster send it out to a pro with tons of tricks for that nightmare.


Next time, put a fingerprint of aluminum grease "Anti-seize" is/was made by Permatex and it won't happen again just only on threads don't get that on anything else,


Tom



Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Aug 11, 2021, 1:27 PM

Post #3 of 16 (1733 views)
Re: Spark plug broke and threads are still stuck Sign In

This is a common problem on aluminum heads. You need to coat the threads with anti-seize when installing them.

They make a repair kit that was designed for the Triton V8 engines but it should work on those.

It comes with a drill, a thread tap and a threaded insert.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Aug 11, 2021, 2:47 PM

Post #4 of 16 (1706 views)
Re: Spark plug broke and threads are still stuck Sign In

If the plug is like this>

A thread here ages ago discusses it well > FORD 5.4L 3V spark plug removal - Tricks of the Trade (carjunky.com) <
Good luck, Tom


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Aug 11, 2021, 2:55 PM

Post #5 of 16 (1703 views)
Re: Spark plug broke and threads are still stuck Sign In

No, that is not what I am talking about. That is a different plug and different kit.

This is one example but this is an expensive one.

https://www.tooltopia.com/CTA-Tools-CTA2367


https://www.tooltopia.com/ATD-Tools-ATD5410



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Aug 11, 2021, 5:10 PM

Post #6 of 16 (1690 views)
Re: Spark plug broke and threads are still stuck Sign In

Pricey stuff - so is wrecking a head!
Oh boy, troubles with pics here or out there found this plug for this car probably wrong!

To me that's just a taper seated plug, longer than some. Hard to cross new but brand new not so sure a human put them in?? It/any shouldn't be two pieces but it's still done saves making one machined part when the hex can be crimped onto the part you need.
This car isn't old nor many miles wouldn't expect this trouble from OE new 1st time doing a thing with plugs or a problem new before sold and this crap already.
All were one brand one so long ago a Chevy Chevette others were GM cast iron heads "mechanic" errors of overtightening and drilling out into a water jacket BEFORE I got it was a nightmare.


This poster should seek help as I did say in that missive so it doesn't wreck the thing or cost out of control no room for mistakes.


Like those tools the price of just those warrants sending this out, full info given what happened and old part of a plug save more than the fight is worth in just lost HAIR!
Tom



Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Aug 11, 2021, 5:15 PM

Post #7 of 16 (1686 views)
Re: Spark plug broke and threads are still stuck Sign In

It's the right plug. I already checked.

It wasn't cross threaded. It just happens with those 2 metals. That's why anti seize has been recommended since the VW bug days.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Aug 11, 2021, 5:41 PM

Post #8 of 16 (1680 views)
Re: Spark plug broke and threads are still stuck Sign In

OP probably ran into the hills by now - sorry:
I said use "fingerprint" of that in the mess I wrote. I did use too much once and it shorted spark thru that silver/alloy grease. When hot it spreads out + if not washed off that item will remove without taking metal with it.
> Making the metal of a plug two pieces is criminal, just worse with an alloy head as we know. Nuff for a while 4 me, Tom


cardude88
Novice

Aug 11, 2021, 6:52 PM

Post #9 of 16 (1668 views)
Re: Spark plug broke and threads are still stuck Sign In

Thanks for all your responses. I dropped it off at a shop today. I was considering bringing it to Ford, but think they may charge alot and say it is not their fault. I drove several miles on 3 spark plugs. I was surprised it did not shake much. It was making a constant p.p.p. sound. The noise increased with RPM's. I drove 20 MPH in a 60 MPH zone.

I am hoping the mechanic is able to drill the threads out. If they tell my they want to remove the head, I will not be happy.

I considered buying a kit and trying myself, however I consider this procedure like surgery. Where you need precision and experience. I am afraid if I tried, I may make a bad situation worse.


(This post was edited by cardude88 on Aug 11, 2021, 6:55 PM)


cardude88
Novice

Aug 11, 2021, 6:58 PM

Post #10 of 16 (1662 views)
Re: Spark plug broke and threads are still stuck Sign In

The reason I decided to change my spark plugs so early, is when I was starting it there was some light shaking, then it was immediately fine. The error code was cylinder 3 misfire.

Cylinder 3 was also the spark plug that would not come out.

Coincidence?


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Aug 12, 2021, 1:52 AM

Post #11 of 16 (1645 views)
Re: Spark plug broke and threads are still stuck Sign In

OK, @ 44,000 miles on this that just spoke volumes! Something along those miles or new it wasn't right by all odds was a pest then over something but fixed to behave so off it went may have been before delivered to a dealer new??
It's history now to fix for the rest of this car's life. All parts are NOT made by the car makers rather MOST are not are put out for bids for who can by zillions and have them ready.
Plugs, wiring harnesses, bulbs, tires, batteries, glass and a 1,000 more things that can't have a defect new isn't reality.
I'll see if I can dig out the original pics you posted if it works they'll be back up top on edit by me and show directly see if that helps just solve and end this confusion? Tom
(edit) pic # 1 showed directly was a site hunting ME down is part of the problem - not your fault just the way it is out there!
>That's also exactly what I expected right away<

(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Aug 12, 2021, 2:00 AM)


cardude88
Novice

Aug 12, 2021, 11:25 AM

Post #12 of 16 (1613 views)
Re: Spark plug broke and threads are still stuck Sign In

I had a change of heart. The local handyman shop did not start working on the vehicle yet.

I dropped it off at the local Ford dealership this morning. The car is too new to have this issue. Will try to get Ford to admit to a manufacturing defect. They cannot look at it until next week.

Probably going to end up paying a fortune. I will keep everyone updated.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Aug 12, 2021, 11:49 AM

Post #13 of 16 (1611 views)
Re: Spark plug broke and threads are still stuck Sign In

Check for hidden warranty on that. Dealer or if you have owner's manual used to admit an implied warranty on major drivetrain things past what was just anything. The issue is they don't want that nor the dealer it pays less.


Wish you luck + sorry it's out of service for now but can't help everything,


Tom



cardude88
Novice

Aug 17, 2021, 11:44 AM

Post #14 of 16 (1300 views)
Re: Spark plug broke and threads are still stuck Sign In

I am shocked.

Ford just gave me a call. The whole engine needs replaced.

Luckily, this is due to a defect in the engine. They mentioned something about a defect in the engine where the coolant causes the spark plug to be stuck and unmovable. They admitted it is a Ford defect and will cover the new engine replacement cost 100 percent. They even offered to pay for a rental car.

I did have to add coolant in my vehicle every week. Crazy for a car with a little over 40,000 miles.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Aug 17, 2021, 11:46 AM

Post #15 of 16 (1298 views)
Re: Spark plug broke and threads are still stuck Sign In

I guess that's a perfect outcome



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Aug 17, 2021, 12:47 PM

Post #16 of 16 (1291 views)
Re: Spark plug broke and threads are still stuck Sign In

FANTASTIC! A free car to use to boot. I'm impressed,


Tom







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