Broken spark plug :(

Princey · 3 Oct 2010 at 18:00

Hey guys,

I have a 2007 '56' Astra VXR with 50,000 miles. It was taken to stage 2 at TMS in Milton Keynes last November when the car was on 36,000 miles. Along with stage 2 I had a full service there and the NGK Iridiums fitted. Fast forward 10 months and 14,000 miles later.

I was driving at 60mph on a duel carriageway and then the car started to splutter badly and the ECU light was flashing. I pulled into a BP straight away and jumped out to be greeted with the car firing on what sounded like 2 cylinders and a loud metallic clanging noise. I shut the engine straight away and checked the errors codes and as I thought the related the a miss fire. I got a tow back to my house as I didn't want to drive it incase I made the issue worse.

When I got home I removed the coil pack and pulled the plugs out and below is what I found. My Questions is, is there likely to be engine damage with the tip of the spark plug entering the chamber and where would I stand with TMS in sorting this out if there is damage? Also from the look of my plugs how does it look like the car was running?

Princey · 3 Oct 2010 at 18:10

Yes. Whats that got to do with anything?

Princey · 3 Oct 2010 at 18:14

They have a 1 year warranty on all parts fitted though. Surley plugs are supposed to last longer than 10 months and 14,000 miles.

Princey · 3 Oct 2010 at 18:44

I haven't permanently Im living with my mom for a few weeks while she gets over her seperation from her partner.

Princey · 3 Oct 2010 at 18:46

This really isn't relevant is it?

Princey · 3 Oct 2010 at 18:48

You all know the situation so I'll create a new thread when it's all sorted.

Princey · 3 Oct 2010 at 19:56

jon.bda said:
If those pics are in order, it looks like they forgot to tighten up #2 and spilled water into #3???

Quote possible as 2 and 3 where finger tight. I've email Throney anyway so I'll see what they say. How would it get into the sump though? I'd thought the only way for it to go is out the exhaust valves.

EDIT: beaten

Princey · 3 Oct 2010 at 20:16

It's ok Bryan I found it in my shoe.

Princey · 3 Oct 2010 at 20:19

iaind said:
If it was going to cause any damage rather than be spat out, it would have done it already. Should be ok

Well I don't know what damage there is if anyway as the engine was shut off within 10 seconds of the EML light coming on.

Princey · 3 Oct 2010 at 20:22

So I can expect a hefty bill then if TMS say no?

Princey · 3 Oct 2010 at 20:28

hillbilly2 said:
You could get someone to have a look down the plug hole with a borescope.TMS may have one.

It's getting it there though. I don't want to drive it and TMS is 170 miles way.

Princey · 3 Oct 2010 at 21:15

I guess a trip to Vauxhall tomorrow then for a set of plugs and see how it goes.

Princey · 3 Oct 2010 at 22:19

Would you risk it driving it on 3 cylinders to the vauxhall? It can only be a 5 mile round trip. It means public transport otherwise.

Princey · 3 Oct 2010 at 23:05

Bus

Vauxhall is closer and it's only £26.75 at the moment. I haven't been on a bus for 10 years lol oh dear.

Princey · 4 Oct 2010 at 12:30

Just to point out these plugs aren't OE they were recommended and fitted by TMS due to the cooler running when mapped. Anyway TMS are going to have the car in the be inspected.

Princey · 4 Oct 2010 at 12:45

Yup, well I'll pursue getting this sorted and then I'm getting shot of the car regardless of price. This could potentially cost several thousend if TMS don't play ball .

Princey · 4 Oct 2010 at 13:06

The water temps are within range though, surely they would rise slightly?

Princey · 4 Oct 2010 at 15:21

Well I'm currently waiting on TMS to give me a date on when they can investigate the car. I put some new plugs in and still has a nasty misfire and a metallic clanging from the top end. Engine = ****'d I guess, lets hope TMS sort this out.

Princey · 4 Oct 2010 at 15:24

Matt82 said:
yoiks. how long do they warrenty their work for??

1 year or 20000 miles which I'm currently at 10 months and 14,000 miles.

Princey · 4 Oct 2010 at 15:29

I had a FMIC for a while whuch put the power to ~300bhp. As it stands at the moment the car is stock. All the mods and map were removed at a TMS Performance center a few weeks ago. Thinking about it and looking at the plugs I'm feeling they haven't removed the map or put the wrong one back on.