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Question
When changing spark plugs for the first time, on one cylinder the spark plug nut and porcelain came off but the threaded piece stayed in the head. I tried a easy out/screw tap but that did not work....any ideas?
Hello,
the problem is that I don't know what kind clearance you have. I have never heard of a plug breaking off like that. It scares me when you say an easy out won't work and that is usually a last ditch effort. You cannot drill or grind. Depending your accessabilitty, you might try to chisel 2 notches in it and maybe use a needle nose as a spanner to unscrew. If you are dealing with an alluminum head though, you cant do that either.
I wish I could give you a better answer, but you may end up pulling the head and sending to a machine shop. What a horror story.
One other thought if not an alluminum head would be to attempt to apply heat in the area with a propane torch and try to pry and turn with a flat end screwdriver and I would only recommend if you have access and apply safely.
I really mean it when I say good luck!
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Rob Painter
Expertise
Alarm system questions cannot be answered on this forum. These systems are not what I can answer. Without being physically at the vehicle and not knowing what kind of electrical service has been done on the vehicle, there is no possible way to give an accurate answer over the internet. My expertise is in Ignition/key based anti-theft systems. These issues include GM VATS (resistor chip in key blade) PASSLOCK (MRD)-ignition lock rotation based, no special ignition key and the PKIII Transponder (computer chip in key) systems. These systems are not alarm based and are integral with the starting of the engine. This is why I cannot diagnose alarm problems without physically looking at the vehicle: Alarm systems are a completely different annimal than ignition key/lock based anti-theft system. Many alarm questions come from vehicles 10 years old, and since older, many hands that had been involved over the years.I am an expert in all GM factory (ignition/key based)systems. Alarm system questions pose to many situations beyond my knowledge as to what has been done to the vehicle over the years. Some guy may have actually wired the stereo into the alarm system. Who knows? Over my past 30 years in vehicle wiring repair, I have seen unbelievable wiring disaters done by guys that consider themselves "mechanics." I have seen stereos and alarms intalled using surgical tape. I have seen modules burn up, un-fused circuits, wiring jambed between the doors and even lamp cord used for a starter kill. To answer alarm questions over the internet without examining the vehicle is like asking; What does it take to remove a dent?
Experience
Education/Credentials-ASE certified. 11 years with a GM dealer and 17 years with a repair facility dealing with only the repair of theft recovered vehicles.
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