major fu#ck up

[syd justice]

i finally reach the enigne and started to replace the spark pugs. when i started tighting the first one with my torque wrench to 9# i striped it and then broke it off trying to remove it. i know i wont sleep to night. i have never screw up anything this bad. is there any thing that can be done.

 

[Toecutter]

Try to get some sleep. Tomorrow will go much better that way....

 

[wingshot]

After a good night sleep go to the local auto parts store and purchase a brand new easy out.

 

[r1byker]

Hmmm, I was going to recommend a six-pack to drown your sorrows. Sorry to hear about that but it happens; been there, done that.

 

[COLDCUT]

First of all, did you cross-thread the plug or just strip the plug nut? If it's just stripped you may be able to find a slightly larger/smaller socket size and carress the plug back out. The broken porcelean shouldn't be a big deal as long as you can get to the nut. Secondly, you should always hand tighten spark plugs to ensure that you are not cross-threading. Once they are tight you can then torque them to specs. Get some sleep first and then give it another go in the morning. Good Luck!!

 

[ahchiu]

First of all, did you cross-thread the plug or just strip the plug nut? If it's just stripped you may be able to find a slightly larger/smaller socket size and carress the plug back out. The broken porcelean shouldn't be a big deal as long as you can get to the nut. Secondly, you should always hand tighten spark plugs to ensure that you are not cross-threading. Once they are tight you can then torque them to specs. Get some sleep first and then give it another go in the morning. Good Luck!!

+1 on hand tighting before using the wrench, I had cross threaded bolts on body parts on the FJR

Good luck

 

[FJRScorpion]

If there are broken parts and pieces in the spark plug 'well' take the time to vacuum them out or blow them out with compressed air before you completely remove the spark plug base. I hope it's not too late because you don't want to go from bad to worse! :blink: + 1 on using the 'easy out'. You may find that you want to completely remove the tank at this point to get better access, assuming that you didn't already of course. Sorry, but thanks for sharing. It will make me think twice about being extra careful.

 

[wfooshee]

Geez, I hope you're not looking for a cylinder head soon. Damn!

If so, you'd do better $$$$-wise to find a whole used engine and do the PATRHIB swap. (Patriot-RadioHowie-Ionbeam)

Edit: Wait - Ionbeam's was repaired, not swapped, wasn't it? Don't remember now.

 

[SnowAviation]

i finally reach the enigne and started to replace the spark pugs. when i started tighting the first one with my torque wrench to 9# i striped it and then broke it off trying to remove it. i know i wont sleep to night. i have never screw up anything this bad. is

there any thing that can be done.

I'm not sure I understand what you did. I get that You broke off part of the spark plug trying to

remove it, but did you strip the threads or the shoulders on the outside of the spark plug when

torquing it down?

 

[lnewlf]

When replacing plugs-especially difficult to reach recessed plugs- I push a piece of tight fitting fuel line over the porcelain and use it to insert and turn the plug. If you can screw it in with the fuel line it ain't cross threaded-use a little never seize on the threads but don't make a mess.

 

[FJRBluesman]

When replacing plugs-especially difficult to reach recessed plugs- I push a piece of tight fitting fuel line over the porcelain and use it to insert and turn the plug. If you can screw it in with the fuel line it ain't cross threaded-use a little never seize on the threads but don't make a mess.

Gunny. Use anything but the ratchet to start it. I just use the socket and extension and hand thread it in as far as I can. If I feel resistance too soon I back it out and try it again.
Bummed for you. After you get some sleep, you'll be able to attack it better with more of your witts back.

Good luck.

 

[syd justice]

thanks for all the replies. i could not sleep at all last night. i have changed the spark pugs in every car and bike i have ever owned, but this is the first time i have used a torque wrench. i removed the old pug. then put in the new and torqued it down. if i was not using the torque wrench i would have stop but then i have all ways been worried about over tighting. anyway one more twist with the torque wrench and i felt the pressure brake. backed out the spark pug but only the top have came out. it was late and i just could not believe what i had done. i bought to torque wrench last year just for this bike because of all the soft metal parts. like i said before i was worried about everything being over tighten.

 

[syd justice]

the only part of the spark pug left in are the threads. that were it broke off. is this easy out used for this? or am i in major trouble?

 

[Hit the Road Jack]

FYI Syd -

When using your torque wrench, completely engage the fastener, or plug in this case, by hand or with a ratchet until it is snugged tight. Only then do you use the torque wrench to set the final torque.

Good luck in your recovery efforts!

 

[ahchiu]

Hey Syd

FYI Smooth Gary posted in the Tech/Mech section he has a cracked case and got a 06 motor from e-bay, you might want to see if you can get the head off his motor

Good luck

 

[Joe2Lmaker]

the only part of the spark pug left in are the threads. that were it broke off. is this easy out used for this? or am i in major trouble?

I found this for you: <Link>

There are some very explicit photos of spark plug damage and "EZ-Out" use.

Good luck.

 

[ahchiu]

syd,

I just saw a 05 head on e-bay for $50.00 not sure if 05 and 06 is interchangeable

 

[syd justice]

thanks

 

[RadioHowie]

$50 for a head is a steal! But, ahchiu...that's a VALVE cover for $50...not the cylinder head.

But if he's gonna be taking the head off to replace it, why not just take the head off and pull out the spark plug threads left in the head?