having a stupid issue

[nitronutz]

Hey guys, having a stupid issue lately. Recently got a stage 1 tune. Runs good except it keeps popping my spark plugs and coil out of the socket, it has happened 3 times especially when I get on it. The car is an 02 1.8t amb. Recently fixed the pcv, vc, ctg, sparkplug harness and took care of all vaccum leaks. I have tightened and torqued the plugs several times yet it still gets loose in high boost situations. I m at a lost, head shot?
Oh i did mention in an another thread cylinder #3 has been heli coiled by the dealership due to a stripped thread by previous owner, however i have not had this issue till I got the tune. Any insights?

[egovreau]

All plugs or just #3?

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[nitronutz]

All plugs or just #3?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Audizine mobile app

All of them at one time or another....not just the heli-coiled #3.

[diagnosticator]

Are the spark plug/s blowing out of the plug hole/s? How tight are your torquing the plugs?

[egovreau]

Since the PO managed to damage the threads on the #3 cylinder, it stands to reason it was potentially from over torquing the plugs. It's possibly he deformed the threads so badly as to prevent them from keeping them tight.

As it was just a tune, it wouldn't have changed the mechanicals of the head. But you have changed, most likely, the fuel air mixture so that it increases the combustion in the cylinder which is causing the plugs to work loose.

Maybe do a compression test... It's likely you might need a new head.

Then again, I could very well be talking out of my arse.

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[nitronutz]

Are the spark plug/s blowing out of the plug hole/s? How tight are your torquing the plugs?

It doesnt blow out completely. It just works itself loose to the point it pops off the CP.
The first time it happened to tightened it back to 22ft/lbs as called for. Then when it got loose again i got it gutentight. I figured whatsbthe harm. Its probably shot already. However when i pulled the plugs the threads are still very clean. Not mangled at all.
I guess i will try a new set of plugs, didnt want to tempt fate with my #3 heli-coiled cylinder. I wont put antiseize on it this time. Guess loctite is never a good idea? Lol.

[csosnowski]

17 lb/ft

[Charles.waite]

don't do locktite for sure.

Try swapping the plug and see if a plug from another cylinder has the same issue.

[nitronutz]

All of tgem has popped loose at one time or another. I guess its time to look up time sert. Anytime ever done it?

[tHatOne guY]

All of tgem has popped loose at one time or another. I guess its time to look up time sert. Anytime ever done it?

I wonder how much heli-coil is actually in the head... whether there are 2-3 threads vs. 8-9 threads actually making contact w/ the plug threads.

[MacFady]

? Hitachi bolt downs? I'd say PO probably messed up all cylinders even though only #3 need to be heli-coiled, just coming to light now with your tune. Have you just tried the one set of plugs and what plugs exactly are you running?

[Charles.waite]

Hitachi bolt down coils suck though. And that would cause far more problems when the blow by gasses start melting stuff in the spark plug bore...

[MacFady]

I was sort of being facetious with the bolt downs.

[themadscientist]

Yep, timesert is what you need. I've used their kit on several engines. They make a spark plug specific kit. If you work carefully you can do them without removing the head.

[nitronutz]

Well guys, i removed all the plugs today. Even the heli_coiled #3 cylinder. All the thread were actually clean with no shavins. So i used a thread chaser. Cleaned it up. Put new plugs in and torqued it to 17lbs. Hopefully it will hold. Just wondering why the plugs would work themselves loose? All cylinders has came loose once at least...car is all stock except a stage 1 tune and a n710. Ideas?

[Charles.waite]

What plugs are you using?

[old guy]

The torque specification for your spark plugs is 22 ft/lbs.

[nitronutz]

The torque specification for your spark plugs is 22 ft/lbs.

Ok will retorque tomorrow, one guy said 17lbs above so i used that info. I thought it was 22. But 17lbs seemed tight. Was afraid to get it much tighter cuz my threads already seemed shady.

[WB650]

What tune do you have?

[7speed]

damn that sucks