OK, wife called me. She was at the coffee drive through, heard a pop, and then smelled something like burning belt. She managed to limp to her work (4 blocks). I am guessing this is the plug issue (I have searched and seems to be most likely). I have not been able to see the truck yet to know for sure.

I was planning to do all 8 plugs this weekend...but I guess I waited 4 days too long. This is a new to me purchase with 205k miles and I figured that it was going to need plugs as part of my PM on it.

I have seen most people suggest the Time-sert fix...Is there anyone in Omaha with this tool that would rent it etc? I also notice some people suggesting an OEM tool from AutoZone. Anyone have thoughts on that?

I am hoping I have threads at least and I can nurse it home until I can actually fix it. Thanks.

 

A member on here, Galaxy, rents the Timesert. Send him a message if you don't find one locally.

 

I saw someone also recomended the Dorman 42025...from NAPA.
Anyone use this?

 

Timesert is the recommended repair.

 

Well, I got to my wifes work...opened hood and sure enough I could feel the COP on #2 (passenger side 2nd one back from radiator) was loose. Pulled and the spark plug and the COP came off. Thing is the Plug looks fine. No damaged threads or anything. I am wondering if this means it just backed out vs being blown out?

I will attach a couple pics of it. (pics suck because my cell phones camera sucks)




http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x...10215-1819.jpg

 

All you can do is try to reinstall the plug and see what it feels like threading in. With a true blown plug, the failure is of the head threads, no the plug threads. Most often, the threads on the plug will give no indication or evidence of the damage.

 

I need to make a fix tomorrow.
AutoZone has a kit that looks similar in function to the Time-sert but it will take 3-5 days...

I dont know of anyone that has a kit available in stock...that makes me think I am either going to have to do the NAPA repair which means using a smaller plug in that cylinder from now on. I dont like that idea.

Any other thoughts?

 

Do it right. Get the timesert. Or do it again. Galaxy rents the kit contact him. Maybe he can next day air it.

 

DudeManBroBearPig....

Timesert.

This isn't one of those situations where you can make a poor quick fix decision because you need the truck back asap. I know what it's like being in a pinch and having to throw something together. But when your dealing with a blow out, make sure its done right. Find a loaner from a family member or friend while you work on it. Like galaxy said, its not the plug threads that come loose, its the aluminum threads in the head. See if you can get a light and lean over the well looking into it to inspect how bad the damage is to the threads. Sometimes the plugs just work loose and spit out causing no damage and can just be threaded back in. You always want to make sure there is no debris that has fallen into the cylinder. But yeah, do it right meng. No other thread repairs hold like the timesert do. Good luck

 

If you must get it done immediately, contact blownoutsparkplug.com. It will cost you a small fortune but they will fly out and fix it with an insert that's even better than a Timesert.

 

It's probably to late to say, -"don't be foolish". I'll play it anyway.

 

Michael...just a thought for down the road if you go that other route. I just recently helped a guy fix a previous non-TimeSert repair. We ended up getting extremely lucky and were able to use a BigSert without trashing the head, but it was three times the cost of the original repair, and several days of trial and error and A LOT of work fixing the first "repair"...if you want to call it that. The original heli-coil/insert had worked its way down into the cylinder and was actually physically preventing the motor from turning through. Yes, the piston was physically hitting the insert and locking up the motor. Potentially catastrophic.

I don't care if you go with me or not, but do the job right. That's for your benefit...not mine.

 

Well I am NOT going to do the Heli-coil, but I know Lisle tools and several other manufactured make kits similar to the Time-sert. I refuse to believe that Time-sert is the only one that will hold.

That being said I have a lead on a friend of a friend that I am going to try and borrow a Time-sert from. The question is whether he has the actual inserts or not. I also found out that Lisle Tools are manufactured less than 2 hours from me. One of those two is how I am going.

http://www.lislecorp.com/divisions/p...n=1&category=6

 

Go with the Timesert. It is a proven fix. It is also cheaper than the Lisle tool.

 

It may also be to easy. After all I've seen and read about, the problem just goes away completely after a Timesert. It only has reappeared when going with alternatives. The "Big Sert" has been handy as well, in the past. Yea, you don't want to screw around with it. If the chamber threads become to fubared, you'll end up needing a new head. So, I agree, just go with the Timesert and put it behind you.