Disaster - Advice Required

Tanabuso Posts : 70 Join date : 2015-07-16 Age : 55

Good Afternoon All,

My relaxing day doing a bit of GRiSO maintenance and then perhaps a ride later has ended in disaster. Was getting ready to check valve clearances and went to remove the spark plug from the left hand cylinder and thought that it was a bit tight. Instead of being sensible I pushed a bit harder and heard the dreaded crack. Yep, the plug snapped just above the thread. I'm in dire straights now. The GRiSO is my daily ride and there is no one I trust anywhere nearby to assist. Thinking about getting into it myself but not to sure. Any advice?

Matt

GRiSO Capo Posts : 10200 Join date : 2013-09-30

The hex head snapped off as well? Ferk! Is a all the threaded end still in the head? Any part of it sitting proud of the threaded part of the head?

Firstly, use penetrating oil to lubricate the leftover thread. I don't recommend drilling it for an ezy-out, as you may end fucking the head.

After a good soak, you may be able to use a screwdriver to remove the remains.

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Tanabuso Posts : 70 Join date : 2015-07-16 Age : 55

Yep, hex head snapped off. All the threaded section still end is still in the head. Head removal required I take it?

GRiSO Capo Posts : 10200 Join date : 2013-09-30

Not necessarily. A good soak and some carefully applied torque from a screwdriver or similar might free it. If not already off, pull the valve cover and tube. Tube is held in by o-rings. Can you take a pic?

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Tanabuso Posts : 70 Join date : 2015-07-16 Age : 55

Valve cover is already off. Just walked away from it in disgust. No internet where the bike is so photo upload is problematic. More advice on removal of tube?

GRiSO Capo Posts : 10200 Join date : 2013-09-30

The tube should pull straight out with a wriggle.

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Tanabuso Posts : 70 Join date : 2015-07-16 Age : 55

OK. appreciate the advice Beetle. Will jump back on line after I give it a go and let you know how I got on.

Matt

Tanabuso Posts : 70 Join date : 2015-07-16 Age : 55

Success! Thanks for the advice Beetle.

GRiSO Capo Posts : 1785 Join date : 2015-02-02 Age : 63

MattF, Use some type of Anti- Seize compound on the threads of the spark plugs when installing. You don't need a lot, but a little with the proper torque applied the the spark plug (? ) will prevent this recuring. Some knob jockey may have over torqued it too. Spark plugs only have to seal the hot gases produced in the cylinder, they don't hold the wheels on ????? how tight was it ?

GRiSO Capo Posts : 10200 Join date : 2013-09-30

Good job Matt.

+1 what Ron says. A firm nip is all they need. Always put a wee smear of anti-sieze compound on the threads.

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GRiSO Capo Posts : 10711 Join date : 2013-05-29 Age : 67

Win! Normally busted plugs are a head off job.

Pete

Tanabuso Posts : 70 Join date : 2015-07-16 Age : 55

Thanks for the advice. Plug was bloody tight and the thread very dry. I've heeded your advice and all is good now. Off for a ride tomorrow I think.

Matt

Tiradritto Posts : 328 Join date : 2014-01-02 Age : 56

Good recovery Matt.
And here I was upset because I cracked a spark plug porcelain on my f100.

GRiSO Capo Posts : 1738 Join date : 2014-07-03

Congrats.

I scrolled down in fear of a worse bottom line.

Bet a recording of your ... erm ... "exclamations" would be colorful. Wink

Bill

Biondino Posts : 279 Join date : 2015-09-30 Age : 64

Spark plug torque is 30Nm or 22lbf ft

GRiSO Capo Posts : 361 Join date : 2014-09-02

Good outcome MattF, I dont trust torque settings for delicate stuff like spark plugs! I'd rather just nip it up and trust the torque settings on my wrist instead. I have seen some specs for plugs that just seem overcooked!!

Biondino Posts : 279 Join date : 2015-09-30 Age : 64

The torque settings on most wrists is far to high for spark plugs, that's why these things happen...

GRiSO Capo Posts : 361 Join date : 2014-09-02

klaas123 wrote:: The torque settings on most wrists is far to high for spark plugs, that's why these things happen...

True Klass, but I have tender little wrists Very Happy

Biondino Posts : 279 Join date : 2015-09-30 Age : 64

Sorry Guzzi Cat now I see, missed your avatar haha

Don Abbondio Posts : 127 Join date : 2014-08-22

waterbottle wrote:: MattF, Use some type of Anti- Seize compound on the threads of the spark plugs when installing. You don't need a lot, but a little with the proper torque applied the the spark plug (? ) will prevent this recuring. Some knob jockey may have over torqued it too. Spark plugs only have to seal the hot gases produced in the cylinder, they don't hold the wheels on ????? how tight was it ?

While I agree, NGK put up a paper some time back on the use of anti-seize on spark plugs. According to them, if the threads are silver, anti-seize has already been applied and you need apply no more. If they are black, there is none and you need to apply it.

I'm in the "it can't hurt" category on this one.

Linky

GRiSO Capo Posts : 10200 Join date : 2013-09-30

Always use anti-seize. Always.

30Nm? Fuck that. It's too much. A gentle nip is all they need.

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GRiSO Posts : 1406 Join date : 2014-01-02

Agreed with Beetle...30Nm is bad news.
You Cro magnons need to chill with torque set ups. LOL

Biondino Posts : 279 Join date : 2015-09-30 Age : 64

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GRiSO Capo Posts : 904 Join date : 2015-05-16 Age : 72

G'day all
I have learned over the years that torque levels and torque wrenches are more a problem than a help.
They are only accurate when the associated parts are in first class condition which is generally not too often - when new for example.
Some engineering concerns such as 'Deutz' do not give torque values but rather 'degrees' of movement after initial contact, I find this makes much more sence. An example of this is as we do with oil filters, screw on by hand until initial contact then a quarter (90 degees).
When I was young I was given bolts and told to put them in a vice and screw nuts onto them and tighten to destruction and 'feel' what happens in this process, a great exercise for any budding wrencher.
So, I generally do not use them only on critical situations such as head bolts and only if the elements are next to perfect.
Caoi

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