Bike Broken - Off to the Shop

[rsw81]

So I was changing out my spark plugs today, which I've done countless times on other motors. Went to do the last one (cylinder 1) and the f'ing spark plug broke in two while I was tightening it down! Now I have to get it towed over to the shop for them to pull whatever pieces are left in there out before I can put a good plug in there. Thankfully, it looks like it was a clean brake from the piece that I got out, so I hope nothing fell into the motor.

This may sound really dumb but what is the dealer going to do that you can't in terms of taking out the broken plug?

[wrightme43]

You can get it out man.

Originally Posted by wrightme43

You can get it out man.

Yeah, at 13 ft/lbs the thing isn't really tight at all or it shouldn't be. If the break was clean I would just pull it out and go back with the replacement plug. What's the big deal? If it came apart in pieces, get out the shop-vac, put a ladies stocking over the end so you can see what you have sucked up and then pull the broken plug out. Either way I don't see any advantage in taking it to the dealer.

[aussiejules]

did only the white porcelain break off, if so just undo like normal, i do the same all the time on no. 6 on cherokee motors, when im not on the correct angle.

[tolgatt]

no no,,,the thread part of the plug stays inside of the hole,,,the rest breaks clean...it happenned to me on my ZZR250,,,i had to strip the bike down and remove the head with the valves...then i had to hammer a long pin inside the screw part of the plug that had threads on it,,,and unscrew the freaking thing with a big a$$ wrench holding it from the pin...
it is very annoying and took me couple of days to do it as i had to put the freaking engine back together...
i would take it to the dealership right away if it happens to my FZ,,im sure they have better tools....
basically what you have is a deep deep spark plug hole in a no hand can reach spot with a threaded circle screwed in it..

[wolfc70]

Originally Posted by tolgatt

no no,,,the thread part of the plug stays inside of the hole,,,the rest breaks clean...it happenned to me on my ZZR250,,,i had to strip the bike down and remove the head with the valves...then i had to hammer a long pin inside the screw part of the plug that had threads on it,,,and unscrew the freaking thing with a big a$$ wrench holding it from the pin...
it is very annoying and took me couple of days to do it as i had to put the freaking engine back together...
i would take it to the dealership right away if it happens to my FZ,,im sure they have better tools....
basically what you have is a deep deep spark plug hole in a no hand can reach spot with a threaded circle screwed in it..

Yup, that happened to me on my Plymouth Breeze, except I was taking the plugs out. The previous owner left the plugs in for 70,000 miles and were really hard to get out. The last cylinder, of course, the plug broke. The electrode came out, all that was left were the threads. Lucky for me the head gasket was leaking and I had just gotten the letter from Chrysler that they were going to replace it for free!. It cost me $40 for them to drill it out and put a time-sert in, as the plug threads had become one with the head.

[rsw81]

Originally Posted by tolgatt

no no,,,the thread part of the plug stays inside of the hole,,,the rest breaks clean...it happenned to me on my ZZR250,,,i had to strip the bike down and remove the head with the valves...then i had to hammer a long pin inside the screw part of the plug that had threads on it,,,and unscrew the freaking thing with a big a$$ wrench holding it from the pin...
it is very annoying and took me couple of days to do it as i had to put the freaking engine back together...
i would take it to the dealership right away if it happens to my FZ,,im sure they have better tools....
basically what you have is a deep deep spark plug hole in a no hand can reach spot with a threaded circle screwed in it..

This is EXACTLY what happened. Unfortunately, you need to have the proper easy-out to get this thing out, which I don't own, and you need proper access from straight over the hole, which I don't have. I'm taking her in today, preparing to get my a$$ torn open with the cost of repair.

[wrightme43]

I have fixed the same situation twice on two different cars. Like you said a easy out is the answer. It is your decision. I would remove the radiator, tank, and airbox. If needed the valve cover as well. plug all oil galleys, cover with rags, and coat the easy out with bearing grease. Twist out plug, vacum the area well. Reassemble. That is what the dealer will do. Hopefully. The main thing is access remove anything that could be in the way. Dont work crowded.

If you dont feel comfortable doing it though the shop is the place. I would feel comfortable, that doesnt mean you would. Its yours and you should do what you think is right. Sorry if I came off as a a$$ earlier. It wasnt my intention.

[4fun]

The nut section of the plug should still be attached to the threads, I dont ever remember seeing the threads as a seperate piece. A vacuum and a wrench should get it out.