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MG MGF Technical - Spark plug blown thread

I wonder if anyone can offer me some advice, whilst driving my MGF 1.8 VVC home on the M4 last night my car made quite a loud popping noise and then proceeded to sound like a traction engine - most embarassing.

I managed to limp it to my boyfriends house thinking there was probably a hole in the exhaust (it's the only think I knew that has ever made a comparable noise!!) from there I called the recovery company.

When the mechanic arrived he informed me that the spark plug had blown, which when eventually getting to the engine was evident as it had broken the cover with 'Rover' on it, so I guess it came out with some force - ok was doing 90 on the M4 at the time so understandable I guess.

When the mechanic removed the spark plug he could see the aluminium head was shiny, hence the thread has gone. I can't afford to spend loads of money and wondered if there is any option for repair that doesn't involve removing or replacing the head?

Can anyone advise?

Thanks

Kirsty
Kirsty Billington

Kirsty,

some info re your spark plug thread.

Head off and repair.


http://www2.mgcars.org.uk/cgi-bin/gen5?runprog=mgbbs&mode=archiveth&subject=69&subjectar=69&thread=2002071416294127189

cheers,
Branko
Branko

I would not use any Dealer or Other garage who may have someone who may have done it before but look up a good engine repair shop who do it on a daily basis.
An easy job in-situ for an experienced fitter. A costly mistake by an inexperienced one.
As good as if not better than new.
The same applies to the Lambda Sensor thread in the exhaust manifold (16mm Plug Thread)
Geoff F.
G. Farthing

I am taking it to Beech Hill Garage in Reading, which is listed on this site, they are mg specialists so fingers crossed I am doing the right thing.

Just need to get it there now!!
Kirsty

Why not ask them to visit you ?? They only need a handful of tools and ten minutes.
Geoff F.
G. Farthing

Geoff what do they do to prevent swarf entering the engine?. A mate some years ago had a K plug strip and the machine shop would do it in situ if asked to but wouldn't garantee no swarf getting into the cylinder.
David Billington

Thanks Geoff, but they aren't mobile mechanics and only work from their premises.

Plus, I am only going on what the recovery guy said, if the head is too damaged and a helicoil cannot be used it will be a lot more work. I really need to get it to them to make sure that is the exact problem, you know what some of these recovery mechanics are like.
Kirsty

Kirsty, Was the car serviced recently as the spark plugs don't normally blow out unless some work has been carried out recently.

Okay you where speeding but the engine should only been doing around the 4000 rpm so not really that big a problem.

I think to stop swarf entering the engine they use grease which when removed takes the swarf with it.

Tom
Tom Randell

This thread was discussed between 04/09/2007 and 06/09/2007

MG MGF Technical index

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