I've just changed the plugs on my 1994 escort 1.8si and the ceramic on one of the plugs broke and fell in to the engine. i have tried everythin to get it out but it will not come out. will it damage my engine if left in there or will it shatter in to small pieces and end up out the exhaust.
2006-07-10 07:30:24 · 12 answers · asked by danweave 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
none of these ideas will work. you need a vacum cleaner the hose part use the smallest atackment you have and adapt a piece of small hose to the end with duct tape put it in the spark plug hole fish a round a little with some luck you will get it
2006-07-11 04:01:55 · answer #1 · answered by babywolff1@sbcglobal.net 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I see everyone has suggested that you must get that out. I agree the ceramic is hard enough to do great damage to the internal part. Unless the metal center is still in the ceramic portion the magnets are useless. If the center is copper (or platinum) the magnet is useless. Very few items will fit through the spark plug hole. The exhaust port is a little larger and you might be able to see into the cylinder better by removing the exhaust header and one valve spring. You may need an air compressor (connected to the spark plug hole) to remove the valve spring and you need to be careful not lose the valve into the cylinder too. The air compressor can then be used to blow the ceramic fragments left out the exhaust port.. If you cannot see the ceramic in question and remove it directly, then you may need to remove the cylinder head. Good Luck
2006-07-10 10:12:05 · answer #2 · answered by a simple man 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT start the engine.
The very best thing that can happen is you will damage the block and piston. Worst case would bend valves, break castings, and render the engine a piece of junk. You have to get the ceramic out. If you can't fish it out through the spark plug hole hole, the head will have to be removed. If you are a fair shade tree mechanic, with a book containing step by step instructions, you should be able to do the work yourself. Otherwise, you need a professional. If you decide to go it on your own, read the book through first. You will need to buy some new items for reassembly, a new head gasket at the very least. The book should lay out all the items needed and you can buy them in advance.
Good luck.
2006-07-10 07:42:19 · answer #3 · answered by gimpalomg 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get yourself a snap on telescopic magnet in the hope you can fish it out other wise its a head off job. As others have said - dont turn the engine - ceramic dus from a smashed porcelain insulator will act as very efficient grinding paste.
If it is a head off job make it pay by carrying out a decoke and grind the valves in. Gat a haynes manual. Chances are you will make even more mistakes but at least you may end up learning something.
If your spark plug tool has a rubber insert meant to hold on to the plug insulator - take it out and sling it- these often break plugs.
Even the best of us have done such things!
2006-07-10 09:16:37 · answer #4 · answered by I loathe YH answers 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok this may help
get a small plastic tube that fits in the spark plug hole
lower the piston down till its valve on exhaust side opened just a bit
tape hose to a good hover and hover out the cylinder
God luck and if your not sure you have all the parts ( do a jigsaw) don't run that engine
2006-07-15 05:23:50 · answer #5 · answered by Lindodo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah it's bad sh1t if you leave stuff in there. It could lodge inside the valve seat or anywhere; that could bust the valve. Heard of a Jenbacher generator engine where the electrode fell off the plug while running and did exactly that. Piston then collided with valve and.... It was under warranty, so Jenbacher gave them a new engine.
If it is JUST ceramic then maybe life's not so critical but I'm not sure. If I were you I wouldn't risk it!
2006-07-10 07:36:10 · answer #6 · answered by wild_eep 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you tried a straightened wire coat hanger with a lump of blue tack on the end. I know you will have to be careful not to lose the blue tack, but it certainly won't be worse than a lump of ceramic anyway. I am not a mechanic, it is just a best guess of a plan of action, please do not try it unless you are confident that it might work. Thinking about it, chewing gum may work as well and be slightly stickier.
Sorry Jeff L, but a magnet won't pick up ceramic.
2006-07-10 07:38:43 · answer #7 · answered by spiegy2000 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes it may damage the piston, the intake valve, or exhaust valve. you have to get it out. put that piston on top dead center(bring piston up to top,SLOWLY) and see if you can grab it with very thin pliers or go to auto parts store and buy a long flex tool that opens and grabs items that are hard to reach. the parts guy should know the name of the tool. if you still can't grab it you may have to remove the cylinder head. you can take a big chance, it may break up when you start it. but if it doesn't you'll be taking the head off and possibly repairing other costly components. good luck
2006-07-10 08:22:23 · answer #8 · answered by jeffgcz 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
WHAT EVER YOU DO DO NOT CRANK THE CAR go to halfords and buy a flexible pincers it will go into the engine grab the ceramic and you pull it out.when its out match the ceramic to the spark plug to see if any left in there before you start your car
2006-07-10 07:55:23 · answer #9 · answered by roadrunner 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will destroy your engine if left in there. You could crack the piston, the head, throw your rod bearings...all kinds of bad stuff. Do not crank the engine. Get it towed to a mechanic immediately.
2006-07-10 07:34:30 · answer #10 · answered by Brian J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋