I have a 2000 Dodge Stratus and it keeps cracking sparkplugs, what can I do? (sick of replacing them)?

Question

the engine temp is on point. it randomly cracks the ceramic on the spark plugs on 3rd & 4th cylinders. occasionally making the car run only on 3 cylinders rather than 4. it is my undrstanding that either pressure or heat would do this. I'm going to get a pressure test to try and eliminate or determine this factor. if that is the problem -please correct me if I'm wrong, I believe the repair would be costly as to remove the heads and fix the problem within the cylinder. which would be a pretty labor intensive as well.
Another possibility if pressure is eliminated I believe I could try and replace the coils on those 2 plugs which is still a little pricey but not in the ball park of a pressure relative situation
Please advise

Answer 1

very strange problem....

Heat would be very low on the possibility's right next to the coils

are you sure that you didn't crack them while installing them??

the only other possibility that I can think of would be detonation which can be caused by those cylinders running lean or due to carbon build up....maybe check to make sure the injectors are functioning properly on those cylinders.

As for checking pressure...this is very hard to do becasue a standard compression check will not tell you what the actuall max cylinder pressure is...which is what could possibly be the problem, spikes in cylinder pressure due to pre-ignition or an uncontrolled ignition event are refered to as detonation and this is about the only event that could cause a pressure spike high enough to damage a proper spark plug.

Answer 2

Is there any chance a mechanical impact is doing this? Like if one or more motor mounts are worn or broken, your engein can move. Then other underhood components could hit into them.

(My smog pump was getting hit and broken this way.)

Assuming you've tried other premium brands of plugs? Or perhaps high heat ones. I can't say I've ever had them break due to pressure, but I won't comment further on that.

An engine pressure test is only going to tell you what the cyclinder is capable of compressing as if it were merely a garage air compressor. This alone I can't imagine would contribute or tell you anything. It would be the pressure from the combustion. If this were too great, you'd have knock sensor alarms and a host of other problems. You could see how balanced your engine compression was cylinder-to-cylinder.

Answer 3

The most common cause for broken ceramic on spark plugs besides installation error is head gasket problems. The coolant getting on the hot ceramic causes it to crack.

You should find a shop that can do a chemical block test which should be a minimal charge and make sure the engine is alright before you spend money on parts that may not help.

Answer 4

pressure had nothing to do with the broken ceramic spark plugs. it only break if you over tighten it or incorrect installation. we never have one plug that has a cracked ceramic. it always the person that install it incorrectly and break it.

Answer 5

If the belt broke, the engine is junk considering the fact it is maximum definately an interference engine. the only element that could reason a timing belt to interrupt could be age, positioned on, warmth and friction. additionally the timing tensioner might have failed inflicting belt to fail additionally. seem at approximately 3000 money to get it replaced. And that would not comprise hard artwork.

Answer 6

The only way your plugs are cracking is because whoever is installing them is over tightening them, install them by hand, no air or power ratchet needed. Snug them up and give them a firm 1/8th inch torque, that is all that is needed.

Answer 7

Replace the plugs and then trade it in or sell it get something else

Answer 8

try buying a cooler spark plug, they operate at a lower temp, any parts store will have them