Helicoil for sparkplug?

[TerribleONE]

so in my m42 one of the sparkplugs blew out one night while i was driving then i noticed because it was obviously misfiring. The next morning i tried threading in brand new plugs but then the one that blew out had the threads messed up. Next i tried to rethread the sparkplug hole but then they where just completely stripped..

Now my question is, should i or should not do a helicoil for the sparkplug hole? My concern is that while boreing out the hole there may be some metal shavings that fall into the head and F@*% everything up. Or should i just pull the head and do the helicoil when the head is off to avoid this problem? Tell me your input on this and any previous experiences.

Thanks!

[E30nate]

i had the same thing happen to my m42. i went to napa and bought the spark plug repair kit. its basically a helicoil kit, but the helicoils are knurled on one end so they dont fall into the cylinders.

i just used a lot of grease when threading it in so the shavings stuck to the grease and didnt fall into the cylinder. it worked like a charm.

[golde30]

uhhhh, should really take the head off to do it rite. or just ditch that POS m42 and welcome in the 24v revolution bitch.

[E30nate]

i wouldnt necisarily call the m42 a pos, but it definately doesnt measure up to a 24v. if i had the funds and time i would definately do the swap.

and to the OP. if you can, i would definately remove the head. i only did it with the head on cause i didnt have the time or money to remove the head and replace all the gaskets. its kinda hard on a students budget.

[der affe]

timesert!!!!

http://www.timesert.com/

heilcoils are junk!

[IHeartE30s]

Timesert x2!

The first day I had my M3 a spark plug blew and believe me I was pissed. Bought a Timesert (on the previous owners dime) and installed it. Like said before use a LOT of grease so the shavings stick to that instead of your piston. Removing the head is no fun job on a S14 so just do as I did and be careful and take your time.

[Money$hit]

I wouldnt worry about it, just helicoil the bitch and be done w it. I did it to my car. The shavings will just burn up and exit the cylinder head via exhaust anyway.

[TerribleONE]

these timeserts look interesting, does anyone else have any experience with these or have used them before??

[stevofthahill]

Same thing happened with my m42, glad I'm not the only one. I figured I had done something wrong to make it blow. Since I didn't have the necessary tools to fix it, just had my mechanic helicoil it and it's been fine every since(over a year.)

[kowalski]

these timeserts look interesting, does anyone else have any experience with these or have used them before??

My friend is a heavy duty mechanic for cummins and they use those things all day long. Way better then heli coils.

[Rolla1990]

If you're worried about the shavings, use the grease method for the tap, then take your shop vac and make a narrow extension for it using some hose and duct tape. Put it down the hole and vacuum up the shavings.

Really no point in pulling the head if you don't have to.

[E30nate]

those timeserts are basically the same thing i got from napa. the only difference is the napa ones have a knurling on the end that you spread out with a punch so the insert stays in place better.

[der affe]

i have used the shit out of timeserts. they are great! this difference between the ones you find at napa and actual timeserts are: while the napa ones flare at the top, the timeserts flare and lock in the ENTIRE legnth of the insert as well as the top. timeserts hold in place better. the napa specials are not as secure, but they are however, better than a heli-coil.

[TerribleONE]

the responses that have been expressed about these timeserts sounds like exactly what i need! thanks guys, im just about to place an order.

[blueapplesoda]

wtf is wrong with these damn m42s? seems like everyone is blowing spark plugs out of the head