Started it today, and after five minutes half the sparkplug came out . The other half is in the engine still.
Now I have no chance to get it ready for 1pm today.
I knew I wasn't going to pass the SVA today, but at least my engine was running... or so I thought, so I could at least not get a refusal.
Started it today, and after five minutes half the sparkplug came out . The other half is in the engine still.
Now I have no chance to get it ready for 1pm today.
o no! Thats aweful news!
Is there no way you could do the test running on three?
Is it just the threaded part?
Can you use a mig welder to build a blob on top and then weld a bar to it?
The extra heat will also help getting it out.
Then just put a new plug in
Is it just the insulator that has snapped or have you lost the hex top as well?
I 2nd the welder trick. Has worked for me a few times.
[Edited on 27/4/09 by Howlor]
given that the plug is recessed into the head, then personally if you can still see the center electrode. I'd wrap the end of the HT lead up in
rubber hose and insulation tape (till it’s almost the same diameter as the hole in the head and ram it right down there against the end of the spark
plug. If you've done it carefully the spark will jump quite happily to the plug and still run the cylinder for the test. Might look a tad odd but
it should get you running, you can remove the plug remains later.
[Edited on 27/4/09 by Mr Whippy]
The centre section of the plug has come out, and the tip has completely burnt out, but the threaded part that goes into the head is still in there.
No welder
We are taking the car to the SVA centre anyway, see what the examiner says.
Looking bad though
quote:
Originally posted by james h
The centre section of the plug has come out, and the tip has completely burnt out, but the threaded part that goes into the head is still in there.
Oh I think he's saying the threaded ring is all that’s left in the head 
You need a big easy out then that will fit inside the ring, might have been due to corrosion of the steel and alloy head due to no copper slip being
used on the thread
problem is, if the thread is really corroded then it might be destroyed in the process meaning a new thread insert would be needed and the head being
removed
[Edited on 27/4/09 by Mr Whippy]
cant you take it to any place with a welder on the way and quickly get someone to weld it and remove it as per the guys above idea?
most places would be happy to help a kit car
quote:
Originally posted by 02GF74
quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy
Oh I think he's saying the threaded ring is all that’s left in the head
guess that'll make sense, I didn't thing plugs could break in that fashion
how can that happen?
did the piston push the innards out?!?!!
Sorted!!!! (many thanks to Mk II)
The threaded part was all that was left in. In effect, you could see into the cylinder.
We put a screwdriver and tapped it into the hole gently, and just managed to turn the threaded part out. A bit of blu-tac and a wire got it and the
washer out.
We replaced the spark plug, lets hope its not something more serious in the engine which has caused this (it was a new sparkplug too)
James
Well Done!!!! 
nice one
fantastic news, read your post this morning and was gutted for you. good luck with the SVA test.
Spot on!
Had simular on a kart engine, took it out with a tread extractor bound onto the wrong end of 3/8th extention bar.
- Athough we lost half an hour before remembering about the electrode thats bend round at the end and had to be tapped stright with a screwdriver
before the extractor would go in.
Daniel
I think a cleansing lager may be required later.
well done and good luck today
I love it when a plan comes together!
Excellent stuff
did you grease the thread of the new plug 
did you grease the thread of the new plug
Well done, hope you get on well with SVA, good luck!
P.s. Am I the only person who thinks that welding onto the sparkplug in a fitted engine sounds like a good way to cause an explosion?
[Edited on 27/4/09 by tomprescott]
quote:
Originally posted by tomprescott
Well done, hope you get on well with SVA, good luck!
P.s. Am I the only person who thinks that welding onto the sparkplug in a fitted engine sounds like a good way to cause an explosion?
[Edited on 27/4/09 by tomprescott]
I don't think you would get a welder down the recess on the head on an R1 to where the part of the plug would have been, they are quite a way
down. If you could get a welder down there you would not be able to see what you were doing.
Glad you got it sorted and good luck.
.... maybe worth checking the other plugs too ...
Phew! Engine started up fine when I got to the test centre.
The list of items to remedy is as long as War and Peace, but at least its something to work on for 6 months!
Thanks for all your suggestions and encouragement 
And I have never been so happy to fail!
James
nice one James, will pop up your way when you have passed
Sure, will let you know when I am done - could be a while though!