Broken Spark plug

[kawasutra]

Hey dude sorry this has happened to you - a real ball ache.


Same thing happened to me !


I used a ceramic drill to drill out as much of the spark plug as I need to allow an easy out to grip the metal thread.
Soaked with penetrating spray overnight and a few other occasions.


Then I used an easy-out. it worked but was lucky, non of the garages wanted to touch it without taking the head off and drilling it out.


Tip 1) Pre drill it, otherwise you will struggle to get it to bite however only drill what you need - don't want swarf in the cylinder
Tip 2) Go slowly when using the easy out - they blunt real quick and you only get a couple of shots.


Worst case scenario ... you dont drill enough and you snap the easy out as you turn it too fast !


But it is possible to get out .. heres mine using a halford easy out [second to largest size from memory]

Thanks man. Only last week I started riding regularly to work and really enjoyed the commute. Met a few bikers on the road as well and was starting to get ready for riding through winter! So yeah, massive ball-ache it is.


I appreciate your suggestions on this and am encouraged by your success.

I have ordered a set of easy out extractors from screwfix as well as 2 cans of penetrating oil. I have a car to use so will soak the hole in oil from tuesday evening every day till I get to work on the bike on Saturday.


Also waiting for the long hex bit Paul has recommended to get the pilot hole drilled.


I really want to get it sorted as this bike has some sentimental value and it's just bloody good fun riding it!

[Deefer666]

I'd just whip the head off and wind the fucker out from the bottom, Half a days work. Job done!

[His Dudeness]

I'd just whip the head off and wind the fucker out from the bottom, Half a days work. Job done!

Me too. The only dodgy part would be getting the exhaust off without snapping studs. If you take the head off you'll get a look at the head, cam chain and cylinders. You could do the valve clearance as well while you're at it. Maybe a carbie clean too while they're off.

[kawasutra]

[quote author=Deefer666 link=topic=18460.msg212935#msg212935 date=1444668279]
I'd just whip the head off and wind the fucker out from the bottom, Half a days work. Job done!

Me too. The only dodgy part would be getting the exhaust off without snapping studs.
[/quote]


The exhaust header pipe nuts/bolts are pretty rusted so I'd like to try and get this done without having to attempt removing those rusty bastards!


Penetrating oil put in yesterday and will do again today and tomorrow and Saturday attempt the extractor route.


I might still end up having to remove the head!

[limax2]

Interesting that this topic should crop up now as for the first time ever a spark plug has just broke on me. It's on a 1974 Triumph Trident that has been laid up for about 20 years. As you can see the insulator has all come away so just the threaded part is left behind in the head with a neat hole in the centre. I did consider going in with a left hand tap but since the head will be coming off anyway I will attack it from the inside.
[smg id=2680]

[celticdog]

Interesting that this topic should crop up now as for the first time ever a spark plug has just broke on me. It's on a 1974 Triumph Trident that has been laid up for about 20 years. As you can see the insulator has all come away so just the threaded part is left behind in the head with a neat hole in the centre. I did consider going in with a left hand tap but since the head will be coming off anyway I will attack it from the inside.

I bet it wasn't the one in the middle  :lol

[limax2]

I bet it wasn't the one in the middle  :lol

You're right it wasn't in the middle! Although the centre and the left side plugs were both stiff coming out they thankfully didn't pick-up on the thread. 

[celticdog]

Yep! Mate had a trident back in the day, beautiful. The HT leads are a bit exposed, water ingress is always a problem long term, the middle cylinder's got a bit more protection. Stick us all up a pic if you can Limmy!  :thumbup