Big bang, then a bad misfire.

[stribo]

Driving to work today, just got onto a dual carriageway and put my foot down, next thing, there's a big bang, something flies out the back of the car, and it misfires like a pig, managed to limp to work, open the bonnet to find the spark plug cover smashed, and a spark plug missing. Tried one of the others in it, and it won't do up, so it's stripped the thread.Bugger, looks like I need a new head.:(

[volvokid]

How the hell does that happen. Bummer lad

[stephenevans99]

Not good mate....was this the R or the T5?

Scratch that....just seen which section it's in :(

[V70 Graham]

Sorry to hear this Steve, hopefully fairly easily/cheaply sorted :(

[M-R-P]

Mum's old Vectra did the same thing but we were able to refit the plug. I'm guessing all the extra boost must've stripped the thread.

What's the plan then? ME7 head with VVT delete?

[FIREBOLT]

How about getting the thread Helicoiled? They always advertise spark plug hole thread repair without removing the head.

[stribo]

Mum's old Vectra did the same thing but we were able to refit the plug. I'm guessing all the extra boost must've stripped the thread.

What's the plan then? ME7 head with VVT delete?
I'm not sure if there would be much benefit.

How about getting the thread Helicoiled? They always advertise spark plug hole thread repair without removing the head.

It's something I'll have to discuss with the garage.

[M-R-P]

Good opportunity to slap NA cams in there too ;)

[claymore]

ME7 head is much better flowing and has thinner valve stems, so is quite a good upgrade.

[merc85]

How the hell does that happen. Bummer lad

usually by someone not doing the plugs up tight enough, and or to tight stripping the thread

[merc85]

ME7 head is much better flowing and has thinner valve stems, so is quite a good upgrade.

a chance to get one and port it then :) What happened to the spark plug lead? did it push that through the cover?

[stribo]

usually by someone not doing the plugs up tight enough, and or to tight stripping the thread

The plugs have been in for a year or so, surely if that was the case it would have gone before now.

[c70geoff]

Ouch dude I feel your pain hope it's not off the road long or maybe I do to catch up on our little mod war

[stribo]

Ouch dude I feel your pain hope it's not off the road long or maybe I do to catch up on our little mod war

The mod war's off, you cheat.;)

[merc85]

The plugs have been in for a year or so, surely if that was the case it would have gone before now.

No not at all, probably not done up tight enough or cross threaded. a years driving has worked the worn thread and pop. :(

[oblark]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOLVO-2-5-T5-RECONDITIONED-CYLINDER-HEAD-/291072145618?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item43c54078d2#ht_720wt_904

Any good.

[M-R-P]

A 2.5 T5 head ay? don't see many 2.5 T5s.

Must be a special edition ;)

[jamesy12345]

Bugger indeed

I sold my old head to Shem(tek) if you do need one, might be still available. Just a 4.4 one AFAIK

[ExternalError]

A 2.5 T5 head ay? don't see many 2.5 T5s.

Must be a special edition ;)

the s40 t5 and c30 t5 are 2.5 t5 as they have the same engine the focus st has

I'm not 100% but I dont think it will fit as the engine is smaller than the 2.3/2.4 engine for a me7 head you want a early 2.3 me7 or a 2.4 me7

Also sorry to hear your troubles hope its not much of a fix to get it back on the road

[oblark]

the s40 t5 and c30 t5 are 2.5 t5 as they have the same engine the focus st has

I'm not 100% but I dont think it will fit as the engine is smaller than the 2.3/2.4 engine for a me7 head you want a early 2.3 me7 or a 2.4 me7

Also sorry to hear your troubles hope its not much of a fix to get it back on the road

It says it fit a 97 onwards so that rules out the focus engine.

[M-R-P]

the s40 t5 and c30 t5 are 2.5 t5 as they have the same engine the focus st has

I'm not 100% but I dont think it will fit as the engine is smaller than the 2.3/2.4 engine for a me7 head you want a early 2.3 me7 or a 2.4 me7


The giveaway is the location of the oil filler hole ;)

[MIKESC70T5]

It's a sign mate, you were posting in the £6000 car thread, time to get rid of one Volvo lol. On a serious note, hope it's an easy fix. Do you need the car as a daily?

[merc85]

It's a sign mate, you were posting in the £6000 car thread, time to get rid of one Volvo lol. On a serious note, hope it's an easy fix. Do you need the car as a daily?

Why?? you gonna lend him your m3 lol

[MIKESC70T5]

Why?? you gonna lend him your m3 lol

He wouldn't know how to drive it as it's sending power to the correct wheels :rotfl:

[volvokid]

He wouldn't know how to drive it as it's sending power to the correct wheels :rotfl:

Not if he drives it in reverse its not ;)

[c70geoff]

The mod war's off, you cheat.;)

4 little LEDs don't count as cheating it's more frugal

[stribo]

It's a sign mate, you were posting in the £6000 car thread, time to get rid of one Volvo lol. On a serious note, hope it's an easy fix. Do you need the car as a daily?

Yes, it's used as my daily. I'm going to speak to someone about the possibility of helicoiling it, if not, CaseyT5 has a ME7 head.

[5seaterT5x2]

Any use??? Far stronger than helicoil


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-x-WURTH-M14-x-1-25-TIME-SERT-SPARK-PLUG-INSERT-9-4mm-length-Thread-Repair-/380743709552?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item58a617f370

[JamesT5]

First of all, sorry to hear about this.

It always seems to be the modified cars that this sort of thing happens to, I've seen it countless times on here where cars that have gone beyond their standard set-up seem to bend a rod, have engine damage or something like this.

I just hope no one pops up and tells to sell it because you're chucking good money after bad with it. Interesting how people will plough thousands in to an engine rebuild..........

:insane: :crazy: :shifty: :smileypul

[stribo]

First of all, sorry to hear about this.

It always seems to be the modified cars that this sort of thing happens to, I've seen it countless times on here where cars that have gone beyond their standard set-up seem to bend a rod, have engine damage or something like this.

I just hope no one pops up and tells to sell it because you're chucking good money after bad with it. Interesting how people will plough thousands in to an engine rebuild..........

:insane: :crazy: :shifty: :smileypul

That's the joys of modifying James, 1 step forward, 2 steps back.lol

[V70 Graham]

Could the cabbie not be a donor ?

[M-R-P]

Could the cabbie not be a donor ?

Yeah - Rob's been itching to get his spanners on that thing lol.

[oblark]

Yeah - Rob's been itching to get his spanners on that thing lol.

Spanners........... angle grinder :)

[stribo]

Could the cabbie not be a donor ?


Yeah - Rob's been itching to get his spanners on that thing lol.


Spanners........... angle grinder :)

Haha, that was hit by a van 2 weeks ago, and could be written off.

[M-R-P]

Angle grinder then :D

[oblark]

Project cabbie was domed from the start :)

[partsforvolvos.com]

if you helicoiled it, would you not have to remove the head anyway due to making sure no swarf goes into the hole during drilling?

[stribo]

Project cabbie was domed from the start :)
Seemed to be.

if you helicoiled it, would you not have to remove the head anyway due to making sure no swarf goes into the hole during drilling?

I guess so, I won't be doing it myself, I've been recommended someone by the indie I use.

[partsforvolvos.com]

I reackon you could get it helicolied and minimal skim(check its flat) for about £140 based on the prices we used to pay the local head specialist.

[M-R-P]

Hmm... cabbie has ME7 head, ME7 inlet manifold and a slim chance of a japanifold...

And angled turbo housing...

Grab yer spanners Steve!

[klunk]

My neighbours old BMW 520i blew a spark plug out, He found a mobile engineering bloke who came round and helicoiled it and sucked the swarf out, Was a few years ago but cost him about £40!

[AndysR]

Bad news but easily sorted, I'd go down the helicoil route, no way on this earth the amount of boost your running would have been the defining factor of the thread failure, it's either worked loose, has been worn to excess or is cross threaded, just a shame you hadn't noticed anything before it blew the plug out..

[stribo]

Bad news but easily sorted, I'd go down the helicoil route, no way on this earth the amount of boost your running would have been the defining factor of the thread failure, it's either worked loose, has been worn to excess or is cross threaded, just a shame you hadn't noticed anything before it blew the plug out..
Definitely wasn't crossthreaded, as I always do them up by hand, and give them a nip up with a ratchet once it's hand tight, though can't rule out it working loose, it's unlikely, I've changed loads of plugs in the past, but you never know.

This is what happens when a plug makes a bid for freedom.
http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo174/RSCougar/Volvo%20C70/WP_20140415_07_47_24_Pro.jpg (http://s373.photobucket.com/user/RSCougar/media/Volvo%20C70/WP_20140415_07_47_24_Pro.jpg.html)

Not the best way to arrive home.
http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo174/RSCougar/Volvo%20C70/WP_20140415_18_10_35_Pro.jpg (http://s373.photobucket.com/user/RSCougar/media/Volvo%20C70/WP_20140415_18_10_35_Pro.jpg.html)

[AndysR]

Definitely wasn't crossthreaded, as I always do them up by hand, and give them a nip up with a ratchet once it's hand tight, though can't rule out it working loose, it's unlikely, I've changed loads of plugs in the past, but you never know.

This is what happens when a plug makes a bid for freedom.
http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo174/RSCougar/Volvo%20C70/WP_20140415_07_47_24_Pro.jpg (http://s373.photobucket.com/user/RSCougar/media/Volvo%20C70/WP_20140415_07_47_24_Pro.jpg.html)

Not the best way to arrive home.
http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo174/RSCougar/Volvo%20C70/WP_20140415_18_10_35_Pro.jpg (http://s373.photobucket.com/user/RSCougar/media/Volvo%20C70/WP_20140415_18_10_35_Pro.jpg.html)

Perhaps you forgot to nip it then? There are a vast number of T5's that run a lot of boost around the world and stripping plug threads isn't something that's reported on high hp T5 lumps... Regardless of what happened it wouldn't have been the boost that popped the plug it would have been an issue with the tread being stripped, worn or the plug being incorrectly tightened..

[stribo]

Perhaps you forgot to nip it then? There are a vast number of T5's that run a lot of boost around the world and stripping plug threads isn't something that's reported on high hp T5 lumps... Regardless of what happened it wouldn't have been the boost that popped the plug it would have been an issue with the tread being stripped, worn or the plug being incorrectly tightened..
It's possible, suppose I ought to check the others.

[JamesT5]

Angle grinder then :D

Did I hear the words, "Angle Grinder?". I've got one of them! :D

[theflyingbrick]

I like your oil filler cap,would care to tell me where you got it?? oh and I hope you get this sorted without much fuss ;)

[V70 Graham]

I like your oil filler cap,would care to tell me where you got it?? oh and I hope you get this sorted without much fuss ;)

It's from PFV Lee, it's just a cover though....attaches with a couple of grub screws.

[stribo]

I like your oil filler cap,would care to tell me where you got it?? oh and I hope you get this sorted without much fuss ;)

http://www.partsforvolvosonline.com/product_info.php?cPath=105_913&products_id=6249

Our shiny headed friend is indeed right.

[Wobbly Dave]

Sorry to hear about your eventful journey. Depending on what you want eventually with the car - I think it would be best to put a new head on it. You could use the time to have some additional work done e.g. port/polish - 3 angle valve seats etc.

[Harvey]

Any news on this yet ?,

[stribo]

Was supposed to be done today, but as it's been pouring down all day, will hopefully be done Monday.

[Harvey]

Was supposed to be done today, but as it's been pouring down all day, will hopefully be done Monday.

So what route are you going down to get it fixed ?.hope it's not too painful on the wallet.

[graemewelch]

Was supposed to be done today, but as it's been pouring down all day, will hopefully be done Monday.

get a fishing brolley thats what i use

[stribo]

I'm not doing it myself, got someone doing it for me. :)

[V70 Graham]

Any news Steve ? (on either car)

[stribo]

The C70 is (hopefully) being done tomorrow, having an insert put in, though I'm not holding my breath. As for the cabbie, just got to send a picture of the mileage, then they'll decide whether it's being repaired or written off.

[V70 Graham]

Fingers crossed for tomorrow then.....though you don't sound too confident.

[stribo]

Don't want to count my chickens. ;)

[graemewelch]

Was talking to my mate about this repair and he suggest a ballon in the cylinder to stop the swarf.

[stribo]

The car was done yesterday, but didn't want to post until I'd given it a proper run. It's running fine again now, the spark plug hole was enlarged, rethreaded, and an insert fitted. Had a bit of a moment after I'd put it all back together as it still had a misfire on the same cylinder (5), but I'd swapped HT leads on 4 (got taken out by the wayward plug) and 5 (thought it might have been damaged by the plug detaching itself so quickly from it) for the old ones I took off last year, turns out the old HT on 5 was dead, as when I refitted the plug lead for 5 that had been on there it ran fine. Checked the tightness of the other plugs, all took a little nip more to get them tight, apart from cylinder 1 which took 2 turns!!!!! Now, I've fitted plugs more times than I can remember, so either I wasn't paying attention when I did it (it was done at the mini fix meet her for Graham's brakes and there was plenty of banter flying around) or I need to do them up tighter on a turbo engine. Anyway now my spark plug covers smashed to bits, and in the bin, I will be keeping a close eye on them, still got to get a new spark plug to replace the one that parted company with the engine, as I nicked one off the cabbie, and it's a NGK Platinum, whereas the others are Iridium.

[soothingduck]

All sounds like good news but I would match the plugs up.
Now mite be a good time to buy that nice shinny plug cover you fanced lol

[stribo]

All sounds like good news but I would match the plugs up.
Now mite be a good time to buy that nice shinny plug cover you fanced lol
Yeah, new plug will be in soon, just got to decide what plug cover I want.

[soothingduck]

I've only ever seen the normal one and a carbon one,if you find any could you post a link?

[stribo]

I've only ever seen the normal one and a carbon one,if you find any could you post a link?

Yeah no worries mate, might just get a standard one and have it sprayed in black and saffy. ;)

[AcidicDavey]

Glad you got this fixed easily enough. If this happened to me I'd be throwing my toys around the place threatening to break the thing, thankfully we're not all so pessimistic!

[stribo]

Glad you got this fixed easily enough. If this happened to me I'd be throwing my toys around the place threatening to break the thing, thankfully we're not all so pessimistic!

My initial thought when I heard the bang and the misfire, with bits flying out of the back of the car was I'd stuck a rod through the block, and I'd have to get another engine for it, then once I'd found out it was a spark plug flying out it was damn, I need a new head, it was only through a bit of head in the hands thinking, and google that led me to get an insert fitted. I've spent too much money on the car to break it, but I've found through previous bad experiences that my initial reaction is worse case scenario, but taking a bit of time to think it through brings me to an easier solution, that's a lot cheaper. :)

[oblark]

Yeah, new plug will be in soon, just got to decide what plug cover I want.

One made out of 3/8 plate just in case any more spark plugs pop out :)

[stribo]

One made out of 3/8 plate just in case any more spark plugs pop out :)

Luckily the plastic cover slowed it down enough to stop it denting the bonnet from the inside. lol

[AndysR]

Good to hear it's all up and running again :)

[WOODY T5]

Nice one mate glad its sorted now get that boost turned back up ;)

[V70 Graham]

Glad it's all sorted mate, will the work you've had done weaken the engine any or will you be able to crack on with the mods now ?

[stribo]

Glad it's all sorted mate, will the work you've had done weaken the engine any or will you be able to crack on with the mods now ?
Shouldn't make any difference, so time to crack on with the mods. :D

[stribo]

Nice one mate glad its sorted now get that boost turned back up ;)

I didn't turn it down ;) If you mean turn it up more, you're confusing me with Frankie. lol

[Kingsford G]

Missed a big thread here,glad its all good now mate.I`d stick a genuine plugs in it tbh.