Spark Plug vacuum leak

[Studebaker]

as a last resort try smoothing the surface with JB weld?

[Timothy]

Update:I bought a brush drill bit. Although it left the surface nice and shiny it did not fix the leak. I'll update again soon if and when I make progress.

[Timothy]

Got desperate and tried RTV. As Ryan waned it predictably failed.

[firebush357]

Do you plan on ever taking them out again???

Try some Extreme Heat JB Weld Paste and then just get either a new engine or a new head in a couple years.

[Timothy]

Do you plan on ever taking them out again???

Try some Extreme Heat JB Weld Paste and then just get either a new engine or a new head in a couple years.

Man that's a great question, and one that I don't know how to answer. This was suggested earlier in this thread and I still am considering it. It would really suck if my plugs failed in 10K miles. Or go with what Ryan said and install platinum plugs and hope for the best.

If I knew for a fact that the vacuum leak in these plugs are causing my intermittent code 17 I think I woukd be willing to do it. Where would you put the paste? All along the threads and where the washer is?

Also I am starting to wonder if the sparkplug threads have been previously repaired with and there is a helicoil insert sitting in there. Teflon and or the RTV should have stopped the leak at least for a couple of minutes. Also the surface was suspiciously shinyafter I cleaned it or at least not how I would expect aluminum to look.

[ryanprins13]

Man that's a great question, and one that I don't know how to answer. This was suggested earlier in this thread and I still am considering it. It would really suck if my plugs failed in 10K miles. Or go with what Ryan said and install platinum plugs and hope for the best.

If I knew for a fact that the vacuum leak in these plugs are causing my intermittent code 17 I think I woukd be willing to do it. Where would you put the paste? All along the threads and where the washer is?

Also I am starting to wonder if the sparkplug threads have been previously repaired with and there is a helicoil insert sitting in there. Teflon and or the RTV should have stopped the leak at least for a couple of minutes. Also the surface was suspiciously shinyafter I cleaned it or at least not how I would expect aluminum to look.

They might have been repaired before, i dont think teflon or rtv would have helped even for a couple seconds. The cylinder pressure should be 700-1000psi peak on the power stroke. Rtv wont hold that.

Would you consider trying to chase the threads with a tap? Or different spark plugs? If you jb weld or loctite a set in i would go with iridium plugs. Not that expensive off rockauto and they last longer and spark way better than platinum.



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[Studebaker]

I would try coating the washer surface with just enought jb weld to fill in the pits and let it cure. then see if it will seal.

What part of the state do you live in?

[UglyEd]

Not sure where in MO u are but i have a partial head..no rockers but cam and valves r there it ia off a 93...u can have it for free u pay shipping it is a good head, came off of a oil burning monster...just a thought didnt know if u wanted to go that route or not but its urs if ya want it

Uglyed and the Steve

[Timothy]

Would you consider trying to chase the threads with a tap? Or different spark plugs?

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Sure I could definitely do that. If I did that would I have to put in an insert after I chase the threads? I did try two different plugs. The first was Autolite, and then I tried KGNs.

What part of the state do you live in?

I live in Wentzville. It is 30 minutes west of the city limits.

Not sure where in MO u are but i have a partial head..no rockers but cam and valves r there it ia off a 93...u can have it for free u pay shipping it is a good head, came off of a oil burning monster...just a thought didnt know if u wanted to go that route or not but its urs if ya want it

Uglyed and the Steve

Ed, That's a pretty cool offer, thank you so much. If the easy fixes don't work I might take you up on your offer. Thanks again for the offer!

[ryanprins13]

Sure I could definitely do that. If I did that would I have to put in an insert after I chase the threads? I did try two different plugs. The first was Autolite, and then I tried KGNs.

No, all it does is clean the threads. Perhaps it was repaired and the threads dont go deep enough. Just get the correct size for the spark plug threads, make sure the piston is down a bit and chase them. Your not cutting new ones. The threads should go all the way through into the combustion chamber. Be warned that anything it cleans out will end up in the combustion chamber. If some junk does you can vaccum it out or let the engine blow it out

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[Timothy]

No, all it does is clean the threads. Perhaps it was repaired and the threads dont go deep enough. Just get the correct size for the spark plug threads, make sure the piston is down a bit and chase them. Your not cutting new ones. The threads should go all the way through into the combustion chamber. Be warned that anything it cleans out will end up in the combustion chamber. If some junk does you can vaccum it out or let the engine blow it out

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Ok that will be my project for tomorrow morning. I'll give it a try and report back. Thanks again for all of your suggestions. Here is the part I ordered. I get to pick it up tomorrow morning. http://m.oreillyauto.com/h5/r/www.or...2379&ppt=C1986

[UglyEd]

No problem just shoot me a pm if u need it...good luck with it

Uglyed and the Steve

[UglyEd]

No problem just shoot me a pm if u need it...good luck with it

Uglyed and the Steve

[Timothy]

I just used a thread chaser. It didn't work. I was really hoping that would do the trick.

[WmWatt]

I would not recommend JB weld for the obvious risky reason but if you do try it I would put a release agent between the goop and spark plug, for example lather it generously with grease and cover the end of the spark plug with plastic, then insert the spark plug and screw in loosely, just enough to compress the JB weld to conform to the spark plug, then remove the spark plug and let the JB weld cure. No need to permanently glue the spark plug to the engine block.

PS In a situation like this, less is more. You only need to fill the irregularities in the surface so I'd dab a tiny amount on the end of a chopstick or something lightly and rub it around on the surface, then insert to spark plug as suggested above to flatten it out. If it doesnt' work first time you can try again adding a bit more. You can always add more in a second and third application but once cured it may be difficut to try and remove any.