Just checked my spark plugs...........
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: On the lakefront...
My car had the second failure of this nature and it was catastrophic. Big BIG mess.
There are at least a couple threads about that if you do a search.
But the problem is not unheard of in cars with aluminum heads. The constant expansion and contraction naturally makes whatever is screwed into it want to come out.
I had a long block replacement back in September...told the world about it and it appears that as more miles are put on these engines, the more likely it is that the plugs are backing out. Check them often and I don't suggest overtorquing them either. Just get them to spec and you'll be fine. Someone posted a poll about this and it was scary how may people had loose ones. But again, this isn't something that is uncommon to engines with AL heads, so I hear.
There are at least a couple threads about that if you do a search.
But the problem is not unheard of in cars with aluminum heads. The constant expansion and contraction naturally makes whatever is screwed into it want to come out.
I had a long block replacement back in September...told the world about it and it appears that as more miles are put on these engines, the more likely it is that the plugs are backing out. Check them often and I don't suggest overtorquing them either. Just get them to spec and you'll be fine. Someone posted a poll about this and it was scary how may people had loose ones. But again, this isn't something that is uncommon to engines with AL heads, so I hear.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 474
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From: Almaden Valley, CA
Phil,
Interesting post as I had the same experience last weekend. I was washing/waxing the car and decided to check the plugs since I was at about 7K miles on the ODO. 1 through 3 were fine, but #4 was at 5-8 ft-lbs max. I didn't think it was significant enough to mention until I saw your post.
Greg - which plug backed out on your car?
Jimbo
Interesting post as I had the same experience last weekend. I was washing/waxing the car and decided to check the plugs since I was at about 7K miles on the ODO. 1 through 3 were fine, but #4 was at 5-8 ft-lbs max. I didn't think it was significant enough to mention until I saw your post.
Greg - which plug backed out on your car?
Jimbo
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Glendale/Burbank/LA
That's it guys, I'm gonna start checking this stuff myself. Last time I took my car to the dealer to have them check it they only checked the first three and decided to forego the 4th one with the assumption that it was OK also. 36k miles and I still don't know whether my 4th spark plug is a time bomb or not. 
On the bright side, I now have more things to do on my car... you know, form a man-to-car bond in the garage etc.
On the bright side, I now have more things to do on my car... you know, form a man-to-car bond in the garage etc.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Glendale/Burbank/LA
Rest easy guys, I just caught wind of a service bulletin issued (or about to be issued) from AHM that will allow you to get the fix for the spark plug issue. Applies to '00, '01, and part of '02.
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From: Glendale/Burbank/LA
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Delaware, OH
I'm posting as part of xviper's "my car started and ran fine today" program. That is, the theory that only those with problems sound off, and those whose cars deliver flawless performance are never heard from.
I torqued my spark plugs ('00 with almost 9,000 miles) this weekend and everything was A-OK.
As xviper said, there is a tendency for those with problems to post them; those of us who have no problems tend to keep quiet.
I torqued my spark plugs ('00 with almost 9,000 miles) this weekend and everything was A-OK.
As xviper said, there is a tendency for those with problems to post them; those of us who have no problems tend to keep quiet.
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 37,305
Likes: 18
Originally posted by SteveUCI
See here:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...&threadid=69839
See here:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...&threadid=69839
Anyway, I guess we can all get new spark plugs for free but I'm not so sure I trust the dealer boys to not screw something else up on the car while they've got their hands on it. (Too many bad past experiences, I'm afraid.)
