Spark Plug/ head problem on a 02

**cardinals1970** · 09-28-2009

I have an 2002 Grand Prix SE and my wife was driving it yesterday when it started to sound like it was going to blow the engine( Her words). So I get to where she was and pop the hood and found the center spark plug on the front side was not even in the spark plug hole. So I put it back in and the car runs perfect until I am a block from my house when it blows the same plug back out of the hole. I can't really tell if the threads in the hole are damaged but the threads on the plug look fine but now the plug will not tighten at all. It will sorta get tight but then it break free again

So what kind of damage or cost could I be looking at to fix the problem?

**BoostJunki3** · 09-28-2009

uhhh sounds like someone over tightened a plug and stripped the plug hole....i would assume that means you need new heads....but dont quote me on that...not sure if there is an easier way wait for bluegtp or bio to chime in on this one...

**rharper33** · 09-28-2009

i used helicoil on a old motorcycle to tighten the cylinder don't know if this is doable on a plug hole

**cardinals1970** · 09-29-2009

Originally Posted by BoostJunki3

uhhh sounds like someone over tightened a plug and stripped the plug hole...

Someone might have, I bought the car used the first of the year and hadn't changed the plugs yet. I really like the car and it has run great until the other day.

**Sabrewings** · 09-29-2009

I'd imagine a helicoil would be a viable solution. Probably still have to remove the head, but you might not have to get it replaced. Try another plug in there. If it does the same thing then the issue is with the head and it has to come out. Take it to a machine shop and see what they find.

**blueguy** · 09-29-2009

X2 on the machine shop...either way a 3100/3800 (LHO/L36) head shouldn't be too expensive at all.

Or...you've got something really wrong on that piston...but I highly doubt that is the case here.

**BillBoost37** · 09-29-2009

When you pull it apart, I'd like to see pics if possible.

It's tough for me to imagine how a cast iron head stripped out before the threads on a plug.

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