WTF just happened?!?

[Uber E30]

So im driving on the highway and i heard (what i though was a rock at the time) something clunk around on my passenger side for a second. Right after that it sounded like my exhaust got a hole in it. So i pull over thinking im gonna find where this rock made a hole in my downpipes.

What i discover is that the 3rd from the front spark plug wire is just dangling loose and there is an absence of a spark plug for that cylinder. So apparently, the spark plug thought it was a rocket and no longer wanted to be a part of my engine. I didnt really get a chance to see if it was striped or not. Will check once the engine cools down. Also before you say make sure they are tight, they were. Thinking either bad plug or stripped threads.

[BrewCity11]

Solmali pirates are out to get you!

Hopefully, the threads aren't stripped and you can get a new one in there.

[Uber E30]

I know, god damn pirates... well i guess this might just be an excuse to slap the 24v in there sooner.

[Leaf]

Solmali pirates are out to get you!

Most likely the cause. Have your snipers ready, theyre after e30's ;)

[Uber E30]

well as far as i could see, it doesnt look stripped. Pirates musta just been interested in my spark plug. Bastards!

[Spinning Tires]

If it is stripped it as too tight. they make heli coil kits for it you dont even have to take the head off. and the aluminum that goes in the cylinder will just burn off

[jlevie]

Might the plug have been a Bosch? Apparently the Bosch plugs aren't a good match for a BMW head w/respect to thermal expansion as I've seen them loosen. That doesn't happen with the BMW OE or NGK plugs.

[netcsk]

Might the plug have been a Bosch? Apparently the Bosch plugs aren't a good match for a BMW head w/respect to thermal expansion as I've seen them loosen. That doesn't happen with the BMW OE or NGK plugs.

Bosch is the BMW OE... Same plugs, without the Roundel.

[mooseheadm5]

This rarely happens, but that plug may have been defective and slipped past QC. Normally, it is from being too loose or from stripped threads, so check it carefully when you replace the plug.

[Bmjpv]

Bad Plug , No

I have never seen a bad Bosch spark plug , Only plugs that did not get their crush washer seated because the installer fell asleep on the job

[Beach Bum]

Wow, so the spark plug just took off like a cannonball? Do you have a dent anywhere? Yikes.

Also, I sincerely hope that you do not take Spinning Tires seriously about the aluminum "burning off". Random bits of metal + piston + cylinder walls = dead motor.

[gearheadE30]

I've seen plugs loosen over time and eventually shoot out before. For whatever reason, they usually retain compression pretty well too. Not much else to do but buy another plug and crush washer and make sure that all of your plugs are torqued correctly.

[Scarlet_Pimpernel]

ive seen a guy on a porsche 911 downshift from fourth to first... yea. he stripped his heads. haha

[Uber E30]

Yeah it somehow worked itself out but nothing striped. Freaking pirates!