Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[CyndyLou]

Anyone ever had a spark plug crumble into the engine? (Happened on Monday and my Vx garage being extremely quiet as to cause and how much damage it's done. It's been 30k since they were last changed as per the recommended service intervals. How can this happen?? This is the second strange thing to happen to my beloved Omega since I got it. The first biggie was a water pump support breaking and taking the cam belt and the top end of the engine with it at 30k. Vauxhall steped up to the plate and sorted that one out as it was still under warranty but I do seem to have been unlucky. I love my car and am gutted they don't make it anymore. I look forward to hearing back from anyone on these matters. CyndyLou

[JamesV6CDX]

Sounds like your head's coming off!

[ffcgary1]

My brother in laws 2.5 v6 vectra suffered from plug failure and the damage was a hole in the piston where the ceramic core was trapped between the piston and cylinder bore.  

[Kevin Wood]

Either you had a dodgy plug or it's been running far too hot. Have you noticed any pinking, misfiring or any other engine issues?

I do hope it hasn't done too much damage.

Kevin

[ffcgary1]

If you have faulty dis pack then that could be the cause of the plug failure, but kevin may have got it spot on, sounds like it was running very very lean/hot.

[Kevin Wood]

I'd suspect a lean mixture which would cause knock and/or burning too hot. Any fault codes in the ECU?

Might be worth changing the fuel filter in case it's clogged, putting some injector cleaner through it and getting the fuel pressure checked, just to be on the safe side.

Kevin

[Bandit127]

Is it possible that a leaky cam cover gasket has dumped oil on a plug? Add some dirt and this could cause tracking of the spark down between the external ceramic and the metal base?

Had this happen before and it destroyed the plug - but not seen it in many years.

CyndyLou - if this has happened, you may have a case against Vx for negligence in letting the bits get in to the engine.

[iainb]

My god this fault takes me back to a time where management electronics wernt about.
 The main cause then was over advanced ignition causeing pre detination or pinking hence why modern cars have knock sensors. The only other time I sore this was on mark 3 Cortina's, and that was due to rubbish spark plugs being fitted.
 But in most cases the damage to the engine was serious,sorry if this fighten you but free floating bits of metal and ceramics do have that effect
Iainb

[CyndyLou]

Thanks guys, I only sort of know about most of what you were talking about BUT........the first thing I looked at was the temp gauge and it was normal. I was told by the Green Flag man who did a roadside diagnostic that there were no fault codes. No hint of any engine misfiring or other problems before it suddenly went pear-shaped at 60 mph on the A1. In the end, it hasn't done too much damage. Still going to cost me a 1000.00 to get it back on the road but quite a lot of stuff from the next service has already been done (cam belt kit, that sort of thing) so I guess I'll just pay up. Thing is, if I traded it in I couldn't get half such a good car as my Omega. It has had a rotten run of bad luck though. Thanks for all your help. Glad to have joined the club.:-)

[Andy B]

......Still going to cost me a 1000.00  .....

  Where's that figure come from?      

[JamesV6CDX]

......Still going to cost me a 1000.00  .....

  Where's that figure come from?      

that's what I want to know.
If it was my car it would be on the road for a few notes  

[Andy B]

......Still going to cost me a 1000.00  .....

  Where's that figure come from?      

that's what I want to know.
If it was my car it would be on the road for a few notes  

You could buy another road going car 2 new over coats  to rob it of it's engine & still have change out of a farthing £1000      

[CyndyLou]

Well, they got my car all back together and when the owner of the garage road tested it he sent it back into the shop as he wasn't happy with the job they had done. Something about sticking valves. However, he's promised me that it won't cost any more. What's a girl to do? I don't know one end of a spanner from the other, I just want my car back so I pay up, I guess.

[VX1]

Thats the trouble with alot of garages, soon as a female walks in they immedately go ££££££££. This is due, as you have said cindylou, most women don't know one end of a spanner from the other, so the fitters, as thats what they are, give them all the speal tell them that things need replacing that don't actually need doing and charge the earth. Be carefull and ask for the parts that have been replaced to be put in a box and put in the boot of the car for re-assurance and peace of mined for yourself, that way you know what you have had replaced and done.

Paul