Hi Everyone! I have lurked here for a few years, great forum! I recently had a time-sert installed in my F150 and today, as I started it, I heard a big pop and then tick, tick, tick... I popped my hood and found that the plug and coil on the passenger side closest to the cab had popped out. My question is, did the mechanic install these correctly? I will attach a video, but in-case the resolution is poor, the plug, of course, is still inside the time-sert but the outside of the time-sert has the what looks like JB weld on the outside of it. The strange thing is that I can tell that the time-sert wasn't screwed in, it was just glued to the hole in the head from the looks of it. What do you guys think? and has anyone ever had this happen?
Thanks

 

That definitely sounds like a bad install lol

 

Sounds like I have a free tow and a repair coming. Could you tell anything from the video?

 

So, they towed my truck in and I talked to the mechanic. The guy that does the billing at the front desk seems good to work with but the mechanic was kinda feeding my what seems like some BS. He says that it's normal procedure for them to throw some JB weld down around the time-sert after they install it to lock it in. I would think there would be a better thread-locker for this application, but I don't know. I am hoping to hear from some mechanics on here. Also, wouldn't it be pretty dang hard to coat the threads as well as they did with the time-sert in the cylinder. Not to mention, why don't the threads look like they are threaded in?
I do have a little better video if anyone wants.

 

I think what you're talking about is a helicoil. It's a method of thread repair. I have seen a plug get blown out of its bore on an Expedition and don't know why. NO thread locker is needed when a helicoil is installed.The tension applied to it when the plug is installed is plenty. Sounds like a mechanic was too lazy to do the job properly. Either that or too much damage had been done to the threaded area of the head and the head should have been replaced.

 

How long ago was the repair? Time serts get threaded into the head. I have installed numerous sets. Looks like a very bad install where the head was not drilled correctly and the time sert was loose and they used a jb weld or a epoxy to hold it in.. Looks like you may get more than a free tow and repair.. Time sert is a last ditch effort to fix a head. Once they get fubared from a poor install it is time for a new head.

 

Thanks for the reply udderbrudder! Time-serts are very similar to the helicoils in concept but instead of a coiled up wire (basically) they are a sleeve that is threaded on the inside and the outside. But I think you are exactly right about the problem being a mechanic issue. It's a shame too because these guys were referred to me and their prices were great.

 

Thanks much for that response carcrazygts2! I had it done about 1 month ago. They did spark plugs and said that while they were doing it they noticed that the plug had already started to blow out so they suggested I have them do the time sert. I also had them check the coils and replace two while they were at it. Do you think if necessary that they should be responsible for the head? I don't want to hammer them but I believe that the time sert would have worked if done properly. Based off of what I can tell, though, the mechanic had to know that he muffed it before they let me drive away in it. Would you ever put JB weld in there to lock it in, even if done right?

 

No thea Time sert comes witha specialized formula of loctite for high temp applications. If it was done correctly it wiould have not pulled out. I have done them in trucks before and and the rear 2 are the hardedest to keep straight. In my honest opinion the technician rushed the time sert job, and the company is 100% responsible for the repair. Reasoning being is that the time sert repair was a recommended repair. It is up to the repair facility to correctly fix the first time.

 

Thanks for taking the time to answer my posts. I heard from the mechanic shop again and they said it's done and they are confident that done correctly but I am pretty leery. Maybe I will just drive the heck out of it right off the bat to make sure all is well. They got me back in quickly and acted pretty professional so I will give them the benefit of the doubt. I am not sure that I have any other choice.