[s-cars] Spark plug thread refurbishing

Mon Jan 26 14:35:19 EST 2004

I cannot imagine Locktite surviving the high temps...

P

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob Frizzell" <bobfrizzell at shaw.ca>
To: <mlbess at optonline.net>; "'Konstantine Bogach'" <kbogach at comcast.net>
Cc: <s-car-list at audifans.com>
Sent: Monday, January 26, 2004 12:59 PM
Subject: Re: [s-cars] Spark plug thread refurbishing

> Using an impact wrench on the spark plugs!?  I hope to hell this isn't
> common practice.
> Bob
> 93 Canucky S4
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Michael Bess" <mlbess at optonline.net>
> To: "'Konstantine Bogach'" <kbogach at comcast.net>
> Cc: <s-car-list at audifans.com>
> Sent: Monday, January 26, 2004 9:53 AM
> Subject: RE: [s-cars] Spark plug thread refurbishing
>
>
> > All:
> >
> > The problem has been resolved (for minor cost).  It appears the monkey
lad
> > at the dealer who changed the plugs 3000 miles ago used an air impact
> wrench
> > to remove and install the plugs.  (BTW, the plugs in other cylinders
were
> > torqued well above specification, as the breakaway torque was over 35
> > ft-lb.)  When he did that, he managed to pull the seated insert out a
bit
> > (it is a shouldered solid insert, not an open helicoil).  Thus when
trying
> > to toque the plug, I was actually screwing in the insert.  When we
pulled
> > the plug, the insert came out with it.  Removing the insert from the
plug
> > made it unusable.  Threads on the insert were good, with no aluminum
chips
> > noted, indicating the threaded hole in the head was undisturbed.
> Installed
> > a new insert (with some Loctite I believe)and reinstalled to plug (to
the
> > proper torque ~25 ft-lbs).  All seems OK.  I am planning a nasty call to
> the
> > dealer (Mohegan Lake Motors, Yorktown, NY) to inform them that they have
> > lost a service customer due to their mechanic's ineptitude and desire to
> > beat the flat rate manual.
> >
> > Michael Bess
> > '95 S6
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Konstantine Bogach [mailto:kbogach at comcast.net]
> > Sent: Sunday, January 25, 2004 11:43 AM
> > To: mlbess at optonline.net
> > Cc: 'Paul Souza'; s-car-list at audifans.com
> > Subject: Re: [s-cars] Spark plug thread refurbishing
> >
> > Michael,
> >
> > I think timeset will work in this application as far as seat goes. I
> > don't trust helicoil even though successfull case were reported.
> > Timesert looks as more "solid" approach to me. I think you can go to
> > thicker was insert if the first one failed.
> > Keep us posted.
> >
> > Thank you.
> > Konstantin.
> > P.S. Oh man, I feel you pain!
> >
> > Michael Bess wrote:
> >
> > >I too have experienced the dreaded occurrence.  I required a threaded
> > >insert, which was able to be performed without removing the head.  The
> Audi
> > >specialist who did the job did not use the Timesert because I was told
> that
> > >its geometry prevented proper plug seating against the head.  Since the
> > >insert installation, new plug, new coil, all was fine for at least 3000
> > >miles (car ran strong all the time, no indications of plug related
> issues).
> > >I have the MTM/Hoppen 1+ chip modification.  Then it was time for the
> > normal
> > >spark plug change (done at the really convenient dealer since I figured
> > what
> > >could he possibly do wrong to foul up that job and the 90,000 mile
> > service).
> > >All had gone well until yesterday.  As a precaution I had begun the
3000
> > >mile spark plug torque check. Checking it for the first time yesterday
> > guess
> > >what I find, the toque on the same bad cylinder (#2) plug is only 15
> ft-lb.
> > >I crank it about a 1/4 turn expecting the torque to rise, but no
change.
> > >Tried another 1/4 turn and still no change.  Now I'm in a panic.  Did
the
> > >dealer F*** something up (like back the insert all the way out and then
> do
> > a
> > >Mickey mouse reinstall?).  So I called the Audi dude who did the insert
> job
> > >and reported the problem.  I'll be bringing it in for him to check
> > tomorrow,
> > >hoping for the least amount of problem (maybe the insert did simply
back
> > out
> > >and it can be simply reinstalled).  Will keep the list apprised of
> things.
> >
> > >
> > >If the insert itself has stripped in the head, what is the fix?  New
> head??
> > >Gaaah, I hate to think of the worst that can be.
> > >
> > >Michael Bess
> > >Project Manager-Die Casting
> > >International Zinc Association
> > >
> > >
> > >-----Original Message-----
> > >From: s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com
> > >[mailto:s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com] On Behalf Of Paul Souza
> > >Sent: Sunday, January 25, 2004 1:31 PM
> > >To: Konstantine Bogach; s-car-list at audifans.com
> > >Subject: Re: [s-cars] Spark plug thread refurbishing
> > >
> > >Konstantin,
> > >
> > >I can relate.  I just went through this repair on my UrS6.   Not a
cheap
> > >repair.  The onset of symptoms was pretty rapid, but I didn't help the
> > issue
> > >any because after the initial symptom showed itself, it rapidly went
> > >away....and then I proceeded to drive 500+ miles.   So my threads were
> > >pretty toasted.  I had the head pulled and threads repaired (#5
> cylinder).
> > >
> > >Paul
> > >----- Original Message -----
> > >From: "Konstantine Bogach" <kbogach at comcast.net>
> > >To: <s-car-list at audifans.com>
> > >Sent: Sunday, January 25, 2004 9:52 AM
> > >Subject: [s-cars] Spark plug thread refurbishing
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >>I can't express my frustration due to the havoc made by loose spark
plug
> > >>in my UrS4.   Just because I did not know about this species
congenital
> > >>defect!  I don't have time to read all posts but it could save me as
> > >>there were some discussions on the topic quite recently.  :-(
> > >>So,  connector lead is shuttered,  spark plug's thread is FUBAR as
> > >>thread in the head,  coil's plastic body is cracked.  Right now I am
> > >>looking at TimeSert repair kit for deep hole (upto 6'').  Does anybody
> > >>went through this procedureJ?  Any better product than TimeSert?
> > >>I don't have necessary tools to measure all geometry.  Does anyone has
> > >>dimensions for seat diameter and thread length?
> > >>
> > >>Does every one has plugs loosening?   Any remedy?
> > >>
> > >>Thank you.
> > >>
> > >>Konstantin
> > >>P.S.  Please,  when new person join the list after recent car
purchase,
> > >>welcome him by raising awareness of loose spark plugs (anything else
> > >>treacherous like this one?) :-)
> > >>
> > >>_______________________________________________
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> > >>
> > >>
> > >
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> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
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