| Author | Message | ||
     Italialaw |
Hello all, I recently picked up my second tuber, an s1w white lightning. Anyway, I went out for a short ride and all of a sudden the bike sounded loud in a terrible kind of way, started to bog and eventually stalled out. I coasted into a driveway, got off the bike and noticed that the front spark plug had blown out of the head, and the rear spark plug wire at the coil end disconnected. When I got the bike home I determined that the spark plug threads were still intact and there was no metal in the spark plug hole in the cylinder head. However, when I attempted to thread a new spark plug in the front cylinder head the plug would not tighten , so I assume the threads in the front cylinder head are stripped. I have a couple of questions for the board: 1. What if any damage could I have done to the motor? The bike stalled out approximately two minutes after the problem occurred. I am very concerned about my motor. 2. What options do I have as far as re-threading the front cylinder? I have seen time-sert and other comparable products but I don’t know how difficult re-threading is to do, or what size insert or kit I would need. I really don't feel like taking it to the dealer and paying an arm and a leg for this repair. 3. If I took the bike into the dealer how would they fix the problem? Install a new head or re-thread? 4. Is this a common problem on tube frame buells? I have never had this problem on my S3. Thanks in advance! | ||
| Strato9r |
Hey, Chris, This is not an uncommon problem on anything with aluminum cylinder heads. Our shop has had excellent results using the Sav-a-Thread inserts made by Heli-Coil. These inserts are not a coiled stainless steel wire insert like common Heli-Coils, but are a sleeve with the common spark plug threads on the inside, and a threaded outside surface that requires a special tap. Most automotive machine shops are set up to do this style of repair, and though I can't say exactly what shops in your area will charge, it should be very affordable. We have installed literally thousands of Sav-a-Threads in everything from Lotus to Indian Chief cylinder heads over the years, an have NEVER had a failure. If there is a BadWeb sponsor in your area, give them a call, if not, check the Yellow Pages for an ASE certified machine shop. I doubt that there was any other damage to your engine, but yeah, having a plug blow out can be a bit of a shock. A while back, I had a plug blow out of the Hyundai Pony beater I drove, and it punched a hole in the hood! | ||
| Pammy |
I agree with Strat. It is not recommended to make this repair with the head on (and removal leads to base gasket replacement and possible rings, etc...). Most shops wouldn't do it on the bike. You can do it yourself, of course. Just make sure you use LOTS of grease and a shop vac. I don't condone that approach, but it's up to you. It's not the best way but it can be done. If any debris gets in the chamber, then you will need to remove the head. So I suppose there is no harm in trying it that way first. Grease the tap and go small increments at a time. Pull the tap out, clean and re-grease every few threads. Keep the shop vac handy in case you have something "hanging" in the hole. Always use anti seize on spark plug threads. | ||
| Kalali |
Now the question is why did the plug blow out in the first place? Was it loose and it worked itself out? | ||
| Strato9r |
More often than not, the problem originates from one of two causes. First would be overtightening the plug at some point, which would compromise the root strength of the threads in the head. Second is not using anti-seize. Listen to Pammy! We never do the repair on the vehicle, either, for obvious reasons. That being said, I DID do the repair on the vehicle with my Hyundai, as pulling the cylinder head would have cost me a new head gasket, effectively doubling the value of the car! I used the 'grease on the tap method', and it seemed to work just fine. | ||
| Italialaw |
The bike had not been ridden for some time (by the prior owner who I recently bought the bike from) and I'm kicking myself for not checking/changing the plugs sooner. This happened on the second ride (literally). I called my local buell dealer and the service manager plans on talking to his "head" guy in the morning to determine whether the cylinder needs to be removed from the bike to repair the stripped threads. I'll keep everyone posted. (Message edited by italialaw on July 06, 2010) |
