Date: Mon, 10 Jan 2005 21:27:29 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject: Re: Broken Spark Plug Electrode/Tip
In-Reply-To: <BE08646A.608F%tornadored@earthlink.net>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
The pieces that are missing probably burned away. You need to check the
timing is set to stock specs, coolant is flowing through all the top
return hoses, and that the 1 cylinder is not lean due to a bad injector
or vacuum leak.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of James V
Sent: Monday, January 10, 2005 7:57 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Broken Spark Plug Electrode/Tip
On 1/9/05 17:33, "Dennis Haynes" <dhaynes@optonline.net> wrote:
> Broken spark plug tips and loose plugs are both indicative of an
engine
> pinging itself to death. The W7DTC plugs are too long. They were only
> listed as a fit for the '85 model year. I guess a mistake! Check your
> ignition timing and make sure the cat is not plugged.
Thanks for the info. Like some others, I've been using the W7DTC for a
couple years and they have performed well. Of course, if my broken plug
was
a result of incorrect plug... that's a problem.
Before this, the van ran well. Timing was checked within the last year.
Haven't had any power loss that I thought was symptomatic of a plugged
cat.
Is there something else that could have damaged the spark plug this way?
Anyway, at present I'm more concerned with whether or not it's okay to
be
driving the van at all (w/ new spark plug). It's parked on the side of
the
road and I'd like to get it home. But having bits of spark plug
floating
around seems not-so-good, and pulling the head isn't something I want to
tackle / pay someone to do. Someone suggested to me that the pieces are
likely fused to the piston anyway.
Thanks,
James V
90 Carat
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
Behalf
> Of James V
> Sent: Sunday, January 09, 2005 8:12 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Broken Spark Plug Electrode/Tip
>
> After my van suddenly lost power, I found that one of the spark plugs
> (right/rear) was loose. Before tightening it, I pulled it: The tip is
> gone
> and one of the "electrodes" (bosch tri-electrode) is broken off.
>
> Would simply being loose cause the plug to break this way?
>
> I figure it wouldn't be such a good idea to simply replace the plug
with
> broken bits in there... So, what now?
>
> Thanks,
>
> James V
> 90 Carat
>
>