Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: tunnie on 17 October 2008, 13:05:11

Title: replaced the spark plugs
Post by: tunnie on 17 October 2008, 13:05:11
Think i found the problem with my miss-fire, the spark plug in pot 2 was fubared. The electrode bits?? The bits that curve around to the sparking point were totally missing  :o :o

Also plugs 1,2,4 were worryingly loose, popped the socket on and the rotated with ease, no effort AT ALL  :o

Anywho, replaced them with some shiny new GM twin electrode ones, torqued them up to 25Nm, and its running well. The ticking noise has gone, it sounds smoother and less noise on idle now.

Few Pictures...

Coil Pack looks ok..

(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii177/tunnie_84/DSC08351.jpg)

(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii177/tunnie_84/DSC08352.jpg)

(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii177/tunnie_84/DSC08353.jpg)

(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii177/tunnie_84/DSC08354.jpg)


Plugs 2 and 3 had some oil in them......

(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii177/tunnie_84/DSC08355.jpg)

Quite a lot of gunge around the back plugs

(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii177/tunnie_84/DSC08357.jpg)

Plug 1

(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii177/tunnie_84/DSC08362.jpg)

Plug 2 - Notice missing thingys

(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii177/tunnie_84/DSC08363.jpg)

Plug 3

(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii177/tunnie_84/DSC08364.jpg)

Plug 4

(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii177/tunnie_84/DSC08365.jpg)

Title: Re: replaced the spark plugs
Post by: Jay w on 17 October 2008, 13:10:24
any idea where the elctrodes have gone to......

If they have dropped off would they not have the potential to score the bore of the piston?
Title: Re: replaced the spark plugs
Post by: tunnie on 17 October 2008, 13:12:53
Quote
any idea where the elctrodes have gone to......

If they have dropped off would they not have the potential to score the bore of the piston?

When i pulled it out they were gone, so i guess they must have dropped in  :-/

Guess they could be jumping around in the cylinder  :'(
Title: Re: replaced the spark plugs
Post by: Jimbob on 17 October 2008, 13:13:27
that down to cack handed oil filling?

or time for camcover gasket?
easy enough on the 2.2  :y
Title: Re: replaced the spark plugs
Post by: tunnie on 17 October 2008, 13:16:25
Quote
that down to cack handed oil filling?

or time for camcover gasket?
easy enough on the 2.2  :y

never touched the cam cover, done 30k since i have had it.

Think its time i replaced it.

I have spilt oil down there before, so that could be the reason. Explains why 1 & 4 are dry.

Think i will do it anyway....

You got a part list? - Does the cambelt have to come off?
Title: Re: replaced the spark plugs
Post by: Jay w on 17 October 2008, 13:17:59
Quote
Quote
any idea where the elctrodes have gone to......

If they have dropped off would they not have the potential to score the bore of the piston?

When i pulled it out they were gone, so i guess they must have dropped in  :-/

Guess they could be jumping around in the cylinder  :'(

I would imagine the bits have been spat out the exhaust by now
Title: Re: replaced the spark plugs
Post by: Jimbob on 17 October 2008, 13:18:31
nope, nowt anymore sorry, all went with the car.

IIRC
lid of engine
remove old gasket
replace with new gasket and black goo
lid on engine
Title: Re: replaced the spark plugs
Post by: tunnie on 17 October 2008, 13:24:14
Quote
nope, nowt anymore sorry, all went with the car.

IIRC
lid of engine
remove old gasket
replace with new gasket and black goo
lid on engine

Ta, right down the nitty gritty that is  ;D
Title: Re: replaced the spark plugs
Post by: Jimbob on 17 October 2008, 13:32:51
Sorry mate, too many sleeps since I did it, but it was VERY easy

just looked again and cant find anything about it.
Title: Re: replaced the spark plugs
Post by: Martin_1962 on 17 October 2008, 14:37:18
They were possibly eroded away
Title: Re: replaced the spark plugs
Post by: woodsy_mv6 on 17 October 2008, 14:44:50
Quote
Guess they could be jumping around in the cylinder  :'(
;D No chance!
Title: Re: replaced the spark plugs
Post by: ians on 17 October 2008, 14:52:59
Cripes - how long had they been in there?
Title: Re: replaced the spark plugs
Post by: hotrod222278 on 17 October 2008, 14:53:36
Quote
They were possibly eroded away


Not the first time ive heard of that prob, not quite that bad but similar.

Poor quality material used and just cant stand the heat.
Title: Re: replaced the spark plugs
Post by: tunnie on 17 October 2008, 14:57:40
Quote
Cripes - how long had they been in there?

30k to my knowledge, maybe more  ::)
Title: Re: replaced the spark plugs
Post by: Kevin Wood on 18 October 2008, 18:01:57
Sorry to dredge this up but remember that a spark plug requires good thermal conductivity with the cylinder head to conduct the heat away from the plug. Loose plugs won't conduct enough heat away and often fail by overheating. In addition they can be damaged by shock as they rattle away in the threads. That'll be what the ticking noise was.

A reminder to investigate any unusual smells or noises, as they do normally indicate something's afoot. ;)

Kevin
Title: Re: replaced the spark plugs
Post by: Timbuk on 18 October 2008, 18:17:53


I see thr Pilsbury Dough Boy was giving you a hand then ::)
Title: Re: replaced the spark plugs
Post by: Markjay on 18 October 2008, 18:31:55
Just out of interest, does the 2.2 have twin-electrode as original fitment, and not quad-electrode like the 2.6/3.2?

Title: Re: replaced the spark plugs
Post by: Markjay on 18 October 2008, 18:34:28
Another thing, I read may pros and cons re whether you should use Copper grease on the threads on reassembly, so was not sure what to do, however the plugs I removed from the car were the original ones and they clearly had copper grease on their threads, so I figured whatever is good for the Vx/Opel factory is good for me and did use some Copper grease...
Title: Re: replaced the spark plugs
Post by: MikeDundee on 18 October 2008, 19:24:10
Done mine a few weeks back, had bits missing aswell from the plugs and one was loose out of the six plugs, thought my wells were dirty, happy to see your's were dirtier ;D :y

pics of the plugs posted on, couple of posts down page 1;

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1221588841/0

Title: Re: replaced the spark plugs
Post by: tunnie on 18 October 2008, 19:48:44
Quote
Done mine a few weeks back, had bits missing aswell from the plugs and one was loose out of the six plugs, thought my wells were dirty, happy to see your's were dirtier ;D :y

pics of the plugs posted on, couple of posts down page 1;

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1221588841/0



Ohh thanks!  >:(

I did not put any copper slip on my plugs, its it worth taking them out and dabbing a bit on/.
Title: Re: replaced the spark plugs
Post by: Markjay on 18 October 2008, 19:56:37
The reason is obviously to prevent seizing, but if you havn't done it then I wouldn't bother because opinion seems to differ on whether it is actually needed. As said I did because apparently Vx did, but its probably not worth taking them out for this.

Title: Re: replaced the spark plugs
Post by: MikeDundee on 18 October 2008, 20:08:36
Quote
Quote
Done mine a few weeks back, had bits missing aswell from the plugs and one was loose out of the six plugs, thought my wells were dirty, happy to see your's were dirtier ;D :y

pics of the plugs posted on, couple of posts down page 1;

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1221588841/0



Ohh thanks!  >:(

I did not put any copper slip on my plugs, its it worth taking them out and dabbing a bit on/.

Neither did I, did read Markjay's how to first though, but did'nt have any, they went back in fine though :y