I was out yesterday changing my spark plugs and 2 of the plugs snapped off!!!
the threads are still inside the engine and the plug is off. im not sure what to do now but i got some major work to look into i think.....can anyone help??? or give some helpful advise??

The plugs snapped off like the ceramic broke off or like the part where the socket grabs onto and all broke off and left the threaded section in the head?I've never seen them do that. Did it happen removing them or putting them in? I don't know how far they protrude into the combustion chamber but you may be able to take the head off and use vice grips on the part that sticks into the combustion chamber.Maybe an EZ-Out would work.That's nuts.Try some WD-40 or something on them too.



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98 Cav,2 door,5 speed,2.2L. I'll pull the stickers and repaint when I get around to it.Get off my nuts.Thanks and have a great day =]

Just the threads are left inside the head. its crazy! i never thought that would ever happen. im thinkin im gonna have to take apart the head to get at them. they broke off when i was removing them btw. anyone else with any advise??

ive had plugs seize into motorcycle heads before. If the porcelin is broken and you can remove it, i would try putting a bolt extractor right down the middle of the threads and try it that way. if that doesnt work, things begin to get ugly

my buddy has done the exact same thing after i told him about 80 times to use a specialized socket with a rubber grommet in it for removing spark plugs, he WAS able to get them out but it was a B*TCH use a bolt extractor and lube it up and it should come out, if not get a mechanic to look at it and see if he has a solution

well now i really got a problem....i used a bolt extractor and that broke off inside on one of them! so now im thinkin im just gonna change the entire head now. its probably them best solution i have at this point.

HI,

Not going to pretend it is a minor problem for it isn't!
It also may not be an easy fix.

Ignore the one with the easy out right now.
Various methods to try.
#1 Get a hack saw blade, fine tooth and grip it with a Vise Grip as a handle and CAREFULLY cut a slot in one side of the piece left. DON'T cut into the threads, just cut the body of the plug unit.

HI,

Not going to pretend it is a minor problem for it isn't!
It also may not be an easy fix.

Ignore the one with the easy out right now.
Various methods to try.
#1 Get a hack saw blade, fine tooth and grip it with a Vise Grip as a handle and CAREFULLY cut a slot in one side of the piece left. DON'T cut into the threads, just cut the body of the plug unit.
Now do it again 180 degrees from the first cut. This relieves the tension, collapsing the shell just a tad to break the aluminum to rust bond. Easy outs really suck, they are tapered and actually wedge the broken piece tighter as they dig into the stuck metal. They make a straight shaft extractor that would be better.
Bettter yet I'd get an allen wrench just a tad bigger than the hole, cut off the 90 degree head or better yet get the allen on a socket, drive the allen into the plug body and they wrench it out.

#2 Soak it for a day or two with Rust Buster or a similar product (not WD 40, it's kinda lame) Try the straight shaft extractor without making the cuts, it may come out.

#3 Heat is an amazing friend. A torch with a small flame, heat up the insert but leave the head cooler. This will cause the two different metals to expand and break the bond. Let it cool and screw it out with the extractor

#4 Tap the inside of the plug piece with a LEFT HAND threaded tap. Tough to find but once you do screw in a left hand bolt and screw it out.

#5 Weld a bolt into the plug unit and screw it out, not sure if the bolt does it or the heat from welding it.

Any of these should work but keep in mind you will be dropping all sorts of metal and gunk n the cylinder that really shouldn't be there. It may damage the piston, rings and cylinder if left in there. It is tough to clean out, it would be 100% best to remove the head and clean out the crap.

I'd try #2 first, #3 second and #1 third. Less invasive and easier, progressing to harder.

The broken easy out really sucks big time. They are as hard as drill bits and can be a bugger to get out. Usually best to break it apart with a drift but the pieces will fall inside the cylinder. Fine needle nose MIGHT be able to slip beside it and you can twist it out but unlikely.

I fear with the easy out you may be taking off the head so you can work with it on a bench. No need for a new head, just get the old parts out.

Why does this happen?
#1 Changing plugs on a HOT engine.
#2 failure to use an anti-seize compound. Aluminum heads with steel threaded into WILL seize up, no question about it. Always coat a steel thread before screwing it in.

best of luck to you but lacking a high level of skills and a very good tool selection you may be doomed to a head removal.

Dave

thanks for the advise dave. im gonna have to try those options. i'll keep ya posted on the results.