while i have the cylinder head off.......

[bmorekirby]

so somehow i blew a spark plug out of the cylinder head, so now i have to pull it off and insert a time-sert. i'm already doing the gaskets. are there any other maintenance items i should take care of while i have it off?

thanks,
john

[dave45056]

I've hear of people doing a timesert for the spark plug in place. I know you risk leaving a few chips in there, but I bet if you had it done professionally, they would not take the head off (unless it was a dealer). But if you are dead set on taking that approach, heres what else I'd do:

1. Replace the plastic coolant fitting inder the intake and on the back of the head (M44 only)
2. Replace the water pump
3. Replace the thermostat
4. Replace the oil filter housing gasket and bush.
5. Replace the Valve cover gasket.
6. Have injector cleaned and new o-rings
7. Replace the squid (vacuum fitting to the injectors)

[KSKarl]

You didn't say what the mileage is on the engine. If it has lots of miles a valve job may be in order.
on the other hand, you do have a six in the works... ;-)

[ASRACER4]

i used a time sert system on a neon and didnt remove the head, if your worried about shavings a little grease on the drill bit and tap will catch most of it.

[pdxmotorhead]

Originally Posted by ASRACER4

i used a time sert system on a neon and didnt remove the head, if your worried about shavings a little grease on the drill bit and tap will catch most of it.

If I was pulling the head I'd take it to a good head machine shop and have them dye glow the thing to check for other cracks.

You can do inserts with the head on. You just need to use a fine vacume wand to get down in the cylinder to vacume off the top of the piston.

Dave

[bmorekirby]

dave45056 - i've already done the thermostat and water pump. i figured i'd have to take off the head but if i don't have to, i'm not going to.

kskarl - i only have 97k on the motor. and yeah, i'm building up an m52/s52 for that should be done by fall......hopefully......

asracer - yeah, i like your plan more. i could get back on the road faster being that the ti is my only car for now...

pdxmotorhead - i'm trying to avoid having anything to do with a machine shop. the motor only has to last me till september/october and its in good shape as it is. i had it pressure 3 months ago.

and as always thank you guys for the fast and informative responses!

[dave45056]

If you are not taking teh head off, then the only other thing I would do is the Valve Cover Gasket, and inserts for any valve cover bolts that are stripped. If you are feeling generous... put new spark plugs in her.

By the way... which spark plug blew?

[pdxmotorhead]

My OCD side would be nearly unable to tinker with the 4 pot if I had a six in the garage... LOL

Dave

[bmorekirby]

dave - if i'm looking from the front of the car cylinder 3. why do you ask that? could something else be wrong, depending on what cylinder it shot out of?

pdx - yeah, i'm trying to get it together, but i need another m52 block. mine is cracked unfortunately. i've been trying to find one within driving distance since shipping would be some much, but i'm not having much luck.

[pdxmotorhead]

Well given all that put the sert in and drive... I would pull the valve cover to do it so I could keep the vacume on the chips and use a dab-o-grease to keep them from falling in the motor.

A computer wand will fit down the spark plug hole, they usually sell them at electronics shops or if you know someone with a 3M copier vacume it has a 12" long about 3/8 dia wand.

Good Luck!

Dave

[bmorekirby]

Originally Posted by pdxmotorhead

Well given all that put the sert in and drive... I would pull the valve cover to do it so I could keep the vacume on the chips and use a dab-o-grease to keep them from falling in the motor.

A computer wand will fit down the spark plug hole, they usually sell them at electronics shops or if you know someone with a 3M copier vacume it has a 12" long about 3/8 dia wand.

Good Luck!

Dave

i'll do both!