4.0 spark plug insulator inside engine!

[ReneGoFast]

1996 ranger, 4.0, 2wd, auto. 237k. Tryin to chase down code P0304, misfire cyl 4. Bought new plugs, installed 3 on drivers side of engine. When I pulled plug #4there was NO insulator, no ceramic. It looks like it burnt off over time. gapped and installed new plug and started engine. There was a slight rattle/tapping noise fora few seconds and the engine runs fine...the miss is gone....What possible problems can result from ingesting insulator glass from plug thru piston/valves/exhaust? Has anyone else have the inside portion of a plug break off inside piston? Thanks!

 

[adsm08]

I have dropped little pieces in many engines that broke plugs and never had ill effects. If it is running fine I would not worry about it much. The insulator won't melt itself to parts like a metal piece will. It will probably just break up and exit without ever doing any real damage.

 

[Mark_88]

As long as the pieces are smaller than the exhaust port you're fine...I've dropped stuff in before but used a shop vac to clean them out...works pretty good if the piston is up and the valves are closed...but a 4 banger is much easier to get a nozzle on the plug I'd imagine...

 

[ReneGoFast]

4.0 spark plug broke

Hey, thanks for the response. I was worried that it may cause real damage, but like you said many small pieces should blow out the exhaust. The ceramic should/would be smashed to small glass pieces not beaten to death between the piston and head like a loose nut or bolt. The engine is running better than it was b4 the new plugs , so I think I cured the code and haven't caused any internal harm...off to another 237k. Oil changed every so often. Thanks again!

 

[adsm08]

It could have been a lot worse. One time I dropped a 3.5" long 1/4 drive extension down a spark plug hole on a 5.4. Piston was all the way at the bottom.