Cracked Spark Plug Resulting Into Damages?

[driftspec32]

My mate was removing his spark plugs, noticed they where on there way out misfiring at highrpm.

His 2nd spark plug was cracked , so he said he pulled it out and bits of the sparkplug(white bit) fell down the bore he said its pinky finger nail size and about .3cm thick.

what will happen now? he got a vacume and tried sucking it out unsure if its out

is his engine stuffed? or will it melt and eventually come out the exhaust ports?

thx

[gtr fan]

He should get the head removed then you should be able to find it fairly quickly, I wouldn't risk it, It won't just disappear.

[race_snooze]

shatter into smaller bits and act like fine dust f**king the bore, not a good idea to start the motor,

[Nathan_G1]

That ceramic white bit off spark plugs wont melt, they withstand hell high temperatures, definately try to find it and get it out, pray it hasnt moved elsewhere.

[WetGTR]

That white part is ceramic - very tuff and can withstand alot of heat. The reason why they use that material in the first place. It needs to be removed full stop!

This will really do some damage, don't know how you could do it without removing the head, have to think about that one.

[benl1981]

Get a hugely powerful vacuum - I have one at home for use with asbestos to drag away all the airborne particles. Suction is incredible.

Do an oil change very soon after and filter. Hope it doesnt get into the big end bearings etc..

I guess you could get an oil sample done to see if any foreign particles in it.

[r33_racer]

or if hes financial enough...why risk it?, full rebuild...good excuse for it!

I find people like the idea of being forced into doing something major to their car like a rebuild as the situation demands it rather then electively choosing to do it. Tell your gf/wife oh the motor is shagged gotta rebuild, got no choice and you act pissed about it but smile when she turns around!

[FATGTS-R]

I had the identical thing happen but luckily only one piece fell in and I could see it sitting on top of the piston using a lead light which was at the top of the bore.

I also tried a vacuum but to no avail.

Went to Autobarn and bought a "claw pick up tool", $10.00 and that got it out just, as i dropped it twice and nearly lost sight of it.

Basically, it is a long flexible coil, thin in diameter, with a small claw on the end. It has a button on the top that when pressed opens the claw, and when released closes it up.

TRY THIS AT YOUR OWN PERIL!!!!

As mentioned, if other pieces have gone out of sight it can do horrendous engine damage. If you are lucky and it blows out the exhaust it will then make a mess of the exhaust wheel.