Broken spark plug :(

Fr0dders · 3 Oct 2010 at 20:54

Firestar_3x said:
How would it end up in the sump?

i'm sure i read about somebody using a magnet to find a spark plug tip in an oil sump.

Thinking about it, it cant have been that. Never mind

Moeks · 3 Oct 2010 at 21:05

Well provided it was the nickel steel part you mean, then I don't see why not.

MrKnifey · 3 Oct 2010 at 21:09

I cant see it getting to the sump. If it has then engine damage has occured and its going to be a repair bill. Just do as others have said, new plugs and fire her up. If it runs, great! If not find a decent garage

Lashout_UK · 3 Oct 2010 at 21:12

I wouldn't be suprised if it could work it's way down between the piston and the bore if it got trapped in there.

Once in the sump it'd probably just sit in the bottom and no longer be an issue, though.

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.

MrKnifey · 3 Oct 2010 at 21:19

Lashout_UK said:
I wouldn't be suprised if it could work it's way down between the piston and the bore if it got trapped in there.

Once in the sump it'd probably just sit in the bottom and no longer be an issue, though.

If it got between the piston and the bore then its game over...

Wicksta · 3 Oct 2010 at 21:36

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

I wouldn't bother buying plugs from a main dealer to be honest, Halfords (especially with a trade card) or a local motor factors will be much cheaper.

Fr0dders · 3 Oct 2010 at 22:08

Wicksta said:
I wouldn't bother buying plugs from a main dealer to be honest, Halfords (especially with a trade card) or a local motor factors will be much cheaper.

and its pot luck what you get

Vauxhall used to supply iridiums, an NGK part made especially for vauxhall for the vectra VXR.

However for some reason or other that contract with NGK has stopped now and the plugs the dealer supply are Bosch.

Caught the first person on VXRonline to get them by surprise !

Princey, your better off asking round the usual Tuners Thorney / Courtenay / MPG etc.. what their advice is.

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.

Fr0dders · 3 Oct 2010 at 22:21

wouldnt like to say to be honest.

If i had the money to arrange to tow it, i would however.

Wicksta · 3 Oct 2010 at 23:03

Princey said:
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.

Just order some plugs online or go to a local motor factors (on the bus if necessary).

Maz · 3 Oct 2010 at 23:05

Princey said:
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.

Not good for your cat!

Use public transport fella.

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.

Liverpool-Lad · 3 Oct 2010 at 23:47

2.5 miles each way? Walk it!

DM · 3 Oct 2010 at 23:48

Get a taxi for gods sake, walk, whats that.

Fr0dders · 3 Oct 2010 at 23:52

DiamondMark said:
Get a taxi for gods sake, walk, whats that.

this

its not going to be much more than £10 return for 5 miles.

iaind · 4 Oct 2010 at 08:15

Lazy sods, I walk to work 2.5 miles away every day! Good for you, apparently.

Dogbreath · 4 Oct 2010 at 08:32

The chances of the earth electrode just floating around in the bore for more than a second or so is tiny. It's either embedded in the piston crown or combustion chamber, or it made it out through the exhaust. If it did make it out of the exhaust then there is a possibility of turbine damage, I'd definitely want to take a look at that.

There is no chance it has worked its way down the side of the piston to the sump, just wouldn't happen. If it had you car would be literally pouring smoke out of the exhaust by now.

Matt82 · 4 Oct 2010 at 08:38

that plugs look CODE F.

they hint towards multiple engine issues. they are not clean and theyre not the coffee colour that indicates a good mixture.

if it were mine id have the plugs out, id have a tiny torch looking down the bore and id have the offending cylinder on TDC to see whats going on.

then id get a vacuum down there to see what can be brought out

those plugs are a mess though and id be looking into whats going on in that engine to leave such a mess.

Firestar_3x · 4 Oct 2010 at 09:03

Dogbreath said:
There is no chance it has worked its way down the side of the piston to the sump, just wouldn't happen. If it had you car would be literally pouring smoke out of the exhaust by now.

I'm not sure why people think the earth electrode could endup between the bore and the piston ring then get into the sump with no bore damage, do they think the pistons just float around in the bore with 5mm of play each side?

Matt82 said:
that plugs look CODE F.

they hint towards multiple engine issues. they are not clean and theyre not the coffee colour that indicates a good mixture.

Just about the first thing that came to mind when i looked at the sparkplug images, it's another serious case of lolthorney.

http://www.spark-plugs.co.uk/pages/technical/diagnosis.htm

Looks like all your cylinders are running hot to me.