Rydobo

SO, cylinder 2 was misfiring, so I changed the plug yesterday using the Lisle removal tool. Problem is, I noticed a nice piece of the old plug's ground strap was missing, and probably inside the cylinder. I made a small effort to vacuum out the plug hole in hopes it would get sucked up, but I'm guessing it's trapped in penetrator and oil in the cylinder. I hoped it would just get blown out the exhaust valve. I put in the new plug, and all was well for a 5 mile test drive. Later, when I went to use the truck, immediately it's misfiring again and acting up. What should I do? and what damage could have been done??? I'm freaking out here!

redfishtd

Burning up plugs its caused by blowby . Failure to torque plugs in 25 to 28 foot pounds . Take a look at new plug is it damaged ? doubtful this was caused by piece . plugs are very fussy on this engine ,must be done just right . New plugs are sp546 . 515's bad out of box . Best to clean carbon out of spark hole with carb cleaner . Anti seize can cause lots of problems . So can dielectric grease and dirt . Dielectric grease is an insulator not to be on metal contacts . All plugs should be done and new boots installed . Cop contacts should be cleaned .

Rydobo

I believe it was a MC plug. It is a Ford plug straight from the dealership across the street. (I work at an MB dealer and we hook each other up with parts at cost). I guess I did a few things wrong. I didn't properly torque it, I just smeared dielectric grease up in the boot, and over the contact, and the anti-seize could be another culprit. I'll pull it again today, and start over. I'm still worried about the original plug strap metal in there, but it did run just fine for the 5 mile test drive. Thanks for the info.

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BareBonesXL

If it got caught between the valve head and the valve seat on its way out it might have caused some damage. If it never made it out and it's still in there, it's probably causing damage, or caused damage after the 5 mile test. If you're super lucky, it just damaged only the new plug and you can fix it by changing plugs again. I would have used one of those telescoping magnetic tools,with the movable head, down the plug hole. Probably would have pulled it from any cylinder goo.

A cylinder pressure measurement (aka compression check) might show something. You can check the plug for damage while it's out too.

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BareBonesXL

I see. I assumed that he knew it had broken off while he was removing the plug. The plug would tell the story, clean break or burned off.

Also, odd that just one would show that. I just replaced my plugs, in a V6, and they were all evenly burned down, three on the center electrode and three on the ground strap. They do get burned down, that's for sure.

Rydobo

I was only replacing one, because only cylinder2 was misfiring, and because it's freezing cold out. I have a 2 car garage but the truck is too high to fit inside. I was going to do the other seven, coils and wires this spring when it warms up a bit, and I could enjoy the process. And the strap definately broke and went in. The ceramic got pushed to the strap, and I can see clean metal at the spot where it broke. I got some small tubing today from work, to try and vacuum it out better, and might try the magnet, but I was told the strap isnt magnetic. I'm not doing any of this till tomorrow afternoon. It's supposed to be 50 degrees and sunny tomorrow, and it's snowing right now.

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Rydobo

All the help and different ideas is very much appreciated. I enjoy doing my own work, but I'm no mechanic. The best part of the process is learning new things. So thank you all!