The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2

Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: sdw on September 02, 2009, 11:44:38 AM

Title: Spark plug thread stripped
Post by: sdw on September 02, 2009, 11:44:38 AM

Hi ... it's me, Steve Wicks, but my adsl line is down so I reregistered - now I can use my laptop & 3G network

Today I wanted to change plugs as the plugs are still the same as when I bought her in January 8000km ago and they were old then.

To my horror I discovered the left thread is stripped and there was some brown paste/glue/loctite or something around the threads.

This obviously happened at the place that did my pushrod seals .... but how will I ever prove it???

What is a quick solution ...... how big a job is it. I've got a 300km trip on Friday, return on Sat and on Sunday I do another 300km in the opposite direction and return on Monday!!!

Title: Re: Spark plug thread stripped
Post by: Bengt_Phorqs on September 02, 2009, 12:26:28 PM

See this thread from about six months back.  "Cross Threaded Spark Plug 02/01/09 at 15:54:15".  I had a problem with a cross threaded spark plug hole and found this tool at one of the local hardware/auto stores.  Worked great for me.  I may have posted a photo on the gallery but don't recall.

Oh the other hand, you may have a full blown hole stripped out in which case your only solution is to repair it with a heli-coil insert.  That means pulling the head to do it correctly.

Title: Re: Spark plug thread stripped
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on September 02, 2009, 05:02:47 PM

Quote

See this thread from about six months back.  "Cross Threaded Spark Plug 02/01/09 at 15:54:15".  

http://www.bmwr65.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1233525255/0#0

Title: Re: Spark plug thread stripped
Post by: steve_wicks on September 03, 2009, 07:46:38 AM

Okay ... so it sems that Mutti will go under the knife......!! :o

Title: Re: Spark plug thread stripped
Post by: Justin B. on September 04, 2009, 11:43:44 AM

Steve, it is possible to fix without removing the head.  I have never done this on an Airhead but have on an old Mercedes 450.  Use the "solid" thread inserts and liberally (only context you will ever see me use that word in a positive sense) coat the tap with sticky grease to catch and retain the chips.  All-in-all, though, in the case of an Airhead it very well might be easier to pull the head.

Title: Re: Spark plug thread stripped
Post by: Landlubber on September 04, 2009, 04:13:24 PM

Yeah, do it once and do it right, pull the head mate.

I have seen people do it and hopefully no swarf goes down the burrow, but it is simply just not worth it, do it right and you will be happy in the end.

Title: Re: Spark plug thread stripped
Post by: joshr65 on September 05, 2009, 07:50:19 PM

Justin, I respectfully suggest we keep political views out of this forum.

Thx

Title: Re: Spark plug thread stripped
Post by: Justin B. on September 06, 2009, 09:05:41 AM

I didn't realize I had said anything "political"!   :D

Title: Re: Spark plug thread stripped
Post by: montmil on September 06, 2009, 11:45:31 AM

Quote

Justin, I respectfully suggest we keep political views out of this forum. Thx

I think I get it!  Funny, Josh.  [smiley=laugh.gif]