New spark plug issue

[campermama]

Sorry I am starting another thread but need help ASAP!

Ok so I got my ex to help me and we changed the plugs. Once changed started her up. Cylinder 1 & 2 are misfiring.

We pull the plugs from ! & 2 and the tips are messed up! We tried putting in and old plug like half way then took it out, the tip was getting messed up.
Now mind you these are not real accessable, in fact pretty freakin hard to get to (passenger side) so my questions are:

Are we messing up the tips putting them in?
Are they cross threaded? How can you tell?

I am beyond exhusted with this, and now the truck is out of commission.
Thanks in advance for the help guys!

 

[dogboy]

By mesed up ends, do you mean the threads, or the tip, where the spark occurs at?

I can see how the theads being crossthreaded in the cylender head might cause the threads to become damaged on the plug. What do the threads look like on the old plugs? Are they messed up? And, were the plugs hard to get out (siezed in/ stuck)?


And, does anybody know if the threads can phiscally be torn out of the cyl. head? I know I've seen that before on other things (thread shavings come out with the bolt)


If it is the tip where the spark occurs, then the only thing I could think of is maybe, for some reason, your new plugs are too long from the threads to the tip and it's hitting the piston or something. But that would probably have to be a LONG freakin spark plug... And I doubt that could actually happen.

 

[campermama]

No the threads are fine on the old and the new, it is the tip on the new and they are the right size, the other 4 plugs are in and working fine, just these 2 are giving us trouble.

The old and new were not hard to get out at all or put in (turning wise).
How can you tell if it was cross threaded?

 

[woodyedmiston]

I've seen two styles of plugs for the Ranger - one has thread all the way up the housing - the other only part way. Both seat on a bevel on the base of the housing. The metal part is the housing, the white part is the ceramic. Were you given the wrong plug?

 

[MAKG]

No the threads are fine on the old and the new, it is the tip on the new and they are the right size, the other 4 plugs are in and working fine, just these 2 are giving us trouble.

The old and new were not hard to get out at all or put in (turning wise).
How can you tell if it was cross threaded?

Perhaps detonation? That can blow the ceramics apart, more at the tip than elsewhere.

Lean mixtures can MELT the ceramics.

A splash of coolant (head or head gasket) might shatter the ceramic, and may eat the electrode (slowly, though).

Wide gaps can erode the tips quickly (you're not using flat feeler gauges, are you?).

Or perhaps there is something hard in the cylinder? Or the plugs are too long (not the same as the others) and are hitting the piston head? Though that's hard to imagine happening to the OLD plugs.

 

[campermama]

THey are the right plugs, they match exactly to the old plugs we took out. The other 4 NEW plugs are installed and run fine. Just for some reason the 2 on cylinder 1 & 2 were not seating right or something. When we removed them to look at them both had the flat piece pushed down to the electrode so there was no longer a gap.

Did we do that trying to get them in the hole?

How do we tell if we cross threaded them putting them in?

 

[Donnie strickland]

When we removed them to look at them both had the flat piece pushed down to the electrode so there was no longer a gap.

This can be caused by overtightening the plugs. Remember, the plugs should only be tightened to 7-15 lb. ft. In an awkward location it can be difficult to tell sometimes, how much you are tightening them.

 

[campermama]

They seemed to be tight but when the misfire continued we removed the wire and looked in, I could still see about 1/8" of threads, so it appeared it wasn't all the way seated but it was tight (so we thought). That is why we got worried that maybe it was cross threaded and took it out, it came out easily. So we are not sure!

I am pulling my hair out right now.

 

[97ranger4x4]

This can be caused by overtightening the plugs. Remember, the plugs should only be tightened to 7-15 lb. ft. In an awkward location it can be difficult to tell sometimes, how much you are tightening them.

Thats good to know!

 

[97ranger4x4]

Do you have any pictures of the spark plug so we can see the damage?

 

[campermama]

once they are in though should I still be able to see threads if they are in all the way?

I can probably get a picture for you.....

 

[Donnie strickland]

They seemed to be tight but when the misfire continued we removed the wire and looked in, I could still see about 1/8" of threads, so it appeared it wasn't all the way seated but it was tight (so we thought).

That's all right if you see threads. On this type of plug, some threads will remain exposed when the plug is installed properly. The plug's base is tapered; it's this taper that seals the plug hole. That's why these plugs don't have gaskets.

Buy two new plugs, set the gaps, and install. If you can get a torque wrench on the plug, tighten to around 10 lb. ft. If you can't get a torque wrench on 'em, do the best you can.

 

[campermama]

So you don't think they are cross threaded? Maybe just over tightened?

I am just worried abotu the threads......but didn't rally see any shavings, or have trouble putting them in or taking them out and the threads on the plug look fine.

 

[Donnie strickland]

Well, I can't tell for sure without seeing the truck in person, but it sounds like it's OK. You'll know for sure when you put in more plugs.

 

[campermama]

Wide gaps can erode the tips quickly (you're not using flat feeler gauges, are you?).

What is wrong with flat feeler gauges? Are these bad to use?