My Engine Ate A Spark and half A Coil Pack
09-02-2008, 01:22 AM
#1
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My Engine Ate A Spark and half A Coil Pack
Well driving back last night from the funeral, all of a sudden, Bang, running on 3 cylinders.
Pulled over, called RAC, got the tools out.
Pulled out Cyl 3 and the coil pack was half missing, and the spark plug was shattered to hell all burnt and jammed in the hole, pulled out as much as i could, but didn't quite make a complete spark, seems some of the ceramic is missing.
Of course anything that isn't metal has bet melted and spat out the back, and hopefully the ceramic turned to dust.
Cause of the problem seems to be bad work, 2 of the other 3 sparks were almost finger loose, and they were changed 2 weeks before i got the car.
The spark has not threaded the head, it has worked loose, as i managed to screw another spark in without issue.
But i don't know if A the cyl is not scored due to the bits passing through, B if there is still something left in there that will score it further.
The plan of action.
1. Get an air line, blow it into the cyl, see if i can hear anything rattling about.
2. go fishing with a coat-hanger and some blue tack, try and rub it around the outside of the piston, hopefully pick anything up that might still be in there.
3. get a compression test to see if there is any scoring > compression loss
if all the above goes well i will order new sparks and plugs.
anything above does not go to plan, it will be off with the head.
Not really much more i can do until i find out if its loosing compression or not / there is anything in there that could cause damage.
now its time to open the search function for sparks and coils.
Just what i needed...
Pulled over, called RAC, got the tools out.
Pulled out Cyl 3 and the coil pack was half missing, and the spark plug was shattered to hell all burnt and jammed in the hole, pulled out as much as i could, but didn't quite make a complete spark, seems some of the ceramic is missing.
Of course anything that isn't metal has bet melted and spat out the back, and hopefully the ceramic turned to dust.
Cause of the problem seems to be bad work, 2 of the other 3 sparks were almost finger loose, and they were changed 2 weeks before i got the car.
The spark has not threaded the head, it has worked loose, as i managed to screw another spark in without issue.
But i don't know if A the cyl is not scored due to the bits passing through, B if there is still something left in there that will score it further.
The plan of action.
1. Get an air line, blow it into the cyl, see if i can hear anything rattling about.
2. go fishing with a coat-hanger and some blue tack, try and rub it around the outside of the piston, hopefully pick anything up that might still be in there.
3. get a compression test to see if there is any scoring > compression loss
if all the above goes well i will order new sparks and plugs.
anything above does not go to plan, it will be off with the head.
Not really much more i can do until i find out if its loosing compression or not / there is anything in there that could cause damage.
now its time to open the search function for sparks and coils.
Just what i needed...
09-02-2008, 02:01 AM
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Stupid question I know, but has your car had the sparkplug washer recall done?
This was introduced due to the original washers allowing the plugs to work loose, IIRC...
Worth calling Honda I suspect.
On the endoscopy front, Make sure you can get down in between the piston and the bore liner and see all the way to the piston rings.
Might also be worth getting the RAC man to confirm your/his findings in writing, if you suspect shoddy workmanship and are intending on pursuing the dealer.
This was introduced due to the original washers allowing the plugs to work loose, IIRC...
Worth calling Honda I suspect.
On the endoscopy front, Make sure you can get down in between the piston and the bore liner and see all the way to the piston rings.
Might also be worth getting the RAC man to confirm your/his findings in writing, if you suspect shoddy workmanship and are intending on pursuing the dealer.
09-02-2008, 02:22 AM
#6
Unluckly fella i feel for you 
.
Did honda do the work? if so best to get onto them.
Problem is if the spark plug breaks it then works its way down as you said on the way it can cause some damage like scoring with the bits flying about - to what extend i dont know.
I wouldnt start fishing about might be better to take the head off?
A compression check is quite easy to do, someone could lend you one - tip dont go by what the yanks say i never managed to get the same psi as them but my car was running good becuase of the dyno result.
BTW i noticed one day my spark plug in cylinder one was loose, i managed to catch it before it was too late, i install spark plus myself so i would have been me to blame.
Check if your car has the recal work done, theres a offical Honda website where you put your VIN number in.
Best of luck
.Did honda do the work? if so best to get onto them.
Problem is if the spark plug breaks it then works its way down as you said on the way it can cause some damage like scoring with the bits flying about - to what extend i dont know.
I wouldnt start fishing about might be better to take the head off?
A compression check is quite easy to do, someone could lend you one - tip dont go by what the yanks say i never managed to get the same psi as them but my car was running good becuase of the dyno result.
BTW i noticed one day my spark plug in cylinder one was loose, i managed to catch it before it was too late, i install spark plus myself so i would have been me to blame.
Check if your car has the recal work done, theres a offical Honda website where you put your VIN number in.
Best of luck
09-02-2008, 02:27 AM
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they cant give me any info on the recall without the chassis number ( im at work )
and even if it has not been done, they woudl not do it now anyway...
Can i get some info on exactly what was done in this recall ? Just different washers ?
and even if it has not been done, they woudl not do it now anyway...
Can i get some info on exactly what was done in this recall ? Just different washers ?
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09-02-2008, 02:35 AM
#10
It's trying to tell you something. Please don't sell me Puppy....
Were the plugs checked when you had it in for the missfire checkover? At least you've found out the likely cause of that.
Were the plugs checked when you had it in for the missfire checkover? At least you've found out the likely cause of that.