Long story short.. Broke off spark plug on my 88 22RE. Can I drill it out?? Need advice.

 

The ceramic part broke off? If so, I would shoot some penetrant (maybe PB Blaster) down there, let it sit, and then maybe try and EZ-Out. Something that will bite in the direction such that it unthreads.

Or if any of that makes you uncomfortable take it to a mechanic. Sounds like a tricky enough problem and you don't want to end up having to pull the head or replace it.

 

They have these extractors that you can buy at harbor freight that are reverse threaded and you drill a small hole to get it started, in your case I wouldn't drill very deep because you don't want any shavings to fall in the motor. Anyway it comes with like three drill bits and three or four extractors and you use the size just smaller then the spark plug and thread it in and it is reverse threaded so it backs the plug out as it goes in and gets snug. Could work in your situation, I used it for a stripped out oil galley plug and it worked great just be careful not to drill all the way through. I think the kit was like $10 or less.

 

That sparkplug is stuck really bad. I'm hoping that the threads are fine. I have a feeling that I'm going to have drill the whole thing out. Any other advice would be great. Take it to a machine shop???

 

Don't drill it while the head is on the engine. You don't want metal fragments in your block. The extractors won't work because the core of the plug isn't solid. My best suggestion is go give it a good soaking in PB Blaster and then use a deep well socket as close to the plug as possible. Has the plug rounded out yet? Once it is out I would recommend using a metric thread chaser to fix any damaged threads. I'm guessing there is a good chance it was cross threaded.

 

any chance you can get some locking pliers on it? Shouldn't be in there that tight if you can just get a grip on it!

 

Is this cyl 4 spark plug on a 22R or 22RE? did you break off the ceramic part because the socket wasn't going straight on? if it's just the ceramic that broke, you can still get it out without drilling or anything that extreme. if it's just the ceramic that's broken and you don't have a full set of tools, I would suggest taking to a good shop and asking if they could get it out . . .

 

removal technique depends greatly on how much broke off.

pictures/description (or both) would be extremely helpful

 

The hex part of the spark plug broke off so I have nothing to grab a hold of. I think my best bet is to take the head off and then drill it out and re tap to make sure the threads are OK. Since the head is going to come off I got to thinking I might as well rebuild the damn thing or at least timing chain and water pump. I'll try to get some pics, but I'm pretty much leaning toward taking the head off.

 

take it to a shop to see what they can do for ya.

 

how many miles on your motor?

 

I have 200K on the motor.

 

Its just getting started.....

 

It would probably run for a while longer, its a toyota by the way, but if you have the money and the time you could rebuild it and have a new motor that you don't have to worry about for a long time. If you do you should look at the engbldr RV head, I put one on my rebuild and I noticed some extra power.

 

Crank it up,to blow out the ceramic.Find a large enough ease out(the spiral kind)and turn it out with a long pull handle.I was sweating 44mag bullets but it finally came out( V6).Right now you have nothing to lose!
Bigblock

 

did it break off flush with the threads and the whole porcelain pulled out?

If so you should just have a "sleeve" with threads left in the head.

If that is the case soak it real good with penetrating lubricant for a couple days. spray it down often. Then take a spiral flute bolt extractor like this one



and try to turn it out. These are available from some parts stores, Sears, some hardware stores, and tool vendors such as Snap-On, Matco, Mac, etc....

it may also help to tap smartly on the remaining piece with a drift.

If you think you get any shvings or pieces in the engine, then you'll need to pull the head.

 

Yeah thats what I suggested, I had a similar problem and it worked fine, just be careful about the shavings and don't drill all the way through. You don't have all that much to lose if you plan on rebuilding it anyway, its worth a shot!

 

Alright, I went to the store and picked that exact same extractor tool and I tapped it into now hollow spark plug.( The electrode just fell straight through into the cylinder) I have been reefing on it and spraying WD-40 and it won't budge. Tomorrow ill get a cheater bar and try that, but if that doesn't work I'm going to tow it to my friends and start disassembly. Thanks for your help this has been the worst experience of my life with this truck.

 

that sucks, I hate when something small and stupid like this becomes a major pain and very time consuming. I wonder if after you get the plug out you could rotate the engine until the piston in that cylinder is at the top or close to and put a small magnet in there to get the piece that fell in. I really don't want to see you have to take the head off for that little piece and especially when there is nothing wrong with your motor. I was thinking like a small magnet on some good fishing line or something. Sounds weird, but it might work!

 

I have a magnet and this little claw tube thing that should work. I'm just hopeful that I get the damn thing off. I'm also going to try the torch method. Try to heat up the head in that one spot.