Drivetrain POW!!! (#4 spark plug) Right in the kisser.
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4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 590
Likes: 1
From: Wisconsin
POW!!! (#4 spark plug) Right in the kisser.
My wife and I were on our way to Long Beach, CA to ship our car to Honolulu, HI. We had planned a great 3 day trip across the Midwest, and southwest our last stop before shipping being in Barstow, CA, a town about 2hrs outside of Long Beach. The mini was having a great trip, and ran flawlessly at 29.6mpg all the way across the scorching west, ready for its new home in Hawaii.
Friday morning in Barstow that all changed. I moved the mini out of our parking spot at the hotel closer to our room so that we could organize our luggage for an easy removal when we got to the port. After the car was loaded I started it back up and heard a loud POP! My heart sank.
The #4 spark plug had popped out of its hole (plug wire still attached) and hit the hood. Upon inspection I found that there were no threads remaining for the sparkplug to screw back into.
Knowing that I needed to make this ship in 3 hours at the port I first called mini roadside, and then my service advisor and tech back in Milwaukee. My MCS has a pulley/Alta, denso cold plugs, and wires. With no stock parts in hand, the odds of MINIUSA covering a spark plug failure looked grim.
My tech suggested that I keep an eye on the temp, ground or insulate the plug, and drive at moderate speeds (staying out of boost as much as possible) to the dock, and get it to Hawaii.
So that's what I did...and arrived on time at the port. To further complicate things, my gas gauge wasn't reading correctly. The "miles to empty tank" readout was climbing, and my mpg was pegged at 99.9, also for some unknown reason the needle would not fall below 1/4 tank (it stayed about 1/8th of an inch above it).
Because of this last problem the port wouldn't accept the car for shipping (the needle needs to read 1/4 or below...no ifs ands or buts). So not realizing that there was a problem with the fuel readout in general, I had the tank drained the next morning...with no fuel at all in the tank, it still read above 1/4. I then drove my 3 cyl. mini to the dealership in Long Beach (on spring and cherry) to have them at least fix the fuel readout problem. They said everything was working fine, and there was nothing to fix.
After already spending an extra $400 on a flight change, and $100 on a hotel I parked the mini in storage, and flew to Honolulu.
So this is where I stand:
-The mini needs a new head
-The gas gauge needs to be fixed (product of missing plug?)
-The car is in Long Beach
I can get a new head, and do the work myself, but I have no place to work...this is where I start to beg, and plead for anyone in the LA/Long Beach area to help me out. I would like to fly back sometime in the next couple of months and fix the mini and get it on a ship. To do this I will need to drive it to someone's garage, and rent their space to work for probably a day, perhaps two.
I understand this is an odd request, but any help or advice would be a great help
My internet access is limited until our place is fully set up next week...so if need be please call me at 414-915-0710 if you would like to reach me in a timely manner.
Thanks,
Jake
Friday morning in Barstow that all changed. I moved the mini out of our parking spot at the hotel closer to our room so that we could organize our luggage for an easy removal when we got to the port. After the car was loaded I started it back up and heard a loud POP! My heart sank.
The #4 spark plug had popped out of its hole (plug wire still attached) and hit the hood. Upon inspection I found that there were no threads remaining for the sparkplug to screw back into.
Knowing that I needed to make this ship in 3 hours at the port I first called mini roadside, and then my service advisor and tech back in Milwaukee. My MCS has a pulley/Alta, denso cold plugs, and wires. With no stock parts in hand, the odds of MINIUSA covering a spark plug failure looked grim.
My tech suggested that I keep an eye on the temp, ground or insulate the plug, and drive at moderate speeds (staying out of boost as much as possible) to the dock, and get it to Hawaii.
So that's what I did...and arrived on time at the port. To further complicate things, my gas gauge wasn't reading correctly. The "miles to empty tank" readout was climbing, and my mpg was pegged at 99.9, also for some unknown reason the needle would not fall below 1/4 tank (it stayed about 1/8th of an inch above it).
Because of this last problem the port wouldn't accept the car for shipping (the needle needs to read 1/4 or below...no ifs ands or buts). So not realizing that there was a problem with the fuel readout in general, I had the tank drained the next morning...with no fuel at all in the tank, it still read above 1/4. I then drove my 3 cyl. mini to the dealership in Long Beach (on spring and cherry) to have them at least fix the fuel readout problem. They said everything was working fine, and there was nothing to fix.
After already spending an extra $400 on a flight change, and $100 on a hotel I parked the mini in storage, and flew to Honolulu.
So this is where I stand:
-The mini needs a new head
-The gas gauge needs to be fixed (product of missing plug?)
-The car is in Long Beach
I can get a new head, and do the work myself, but I have no place to work...this is where I start to beg, and plead for anyone in the LA/Long Beach area to help me out. I would like to fly back sometime in the next couple of months and fix the mini and get it on a ship. To do this I will need to drive it to someone's garage, and rent their space to work for probably a day, perhaps two.
I understand this is an odd request, but any help or advice would be a great help
My internet access is limited until our place is fully set up next week...so if need be please call me at 414-915-0710 if you would like to reach me in a timely manner.
Thanks,
Jake
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
From: Palmdale, CA
Jake, While I live in Palmdale (closer to Barstow than Long Beach), I am more than happy to offer up my garage space. A better option would probably be to contact SCMM (www.scmm.org) which is a local Mini Club based in the LA basin. I know they have several members who would be a much better resource than myself. Good Luck!
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,301
Likes: 1
My gas gauge and miles remaining indicator work two days out of seven each week. Mini cannot find the problem, and it never happens when they have the car. Today it is not working
It is going back Tuesday. This time I asked them to replace whatever controls these two indicators, no ifs, ands, or buts; the car is not under warranty and I do not want to come back!
My plugs are all tight, so I do not think there is a connection.
It is going back Tuesday. This time I asked them to replace whatever controls these two indicators, no ifs, ands, or buts; the car is not under warranty and I do not want to come back!My plugs are all tight, so I do not think there is a connection.
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 801
Likes: 0
From: Tustin CA
Jake,
I'm in Tustin, which is about 30 miles East of Long Beach. If you don't get an offer from someone closer, you're more than welcome to use my residential garage. I probably have most of the tools you would need but since I've never removed a head, I don't know. PM me if you're interested.
Phil
I'm in Tustin, which is about 30 miles East of Long Beach. If you don't get an offer from someone closer, you're more than welcome to use my residential garage. I probably have most of the tools you would need but since I've never removed a head, I don't know. PM me if you're interested.
Phil
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,957
Likes: 2
From: a canyon, south Bay Area
Jake, I saw this thread in the morning, and just felt very bad for you, not knowing how I could help. Bad timing as Peter of M7 is in the LA area, but is currently in my neck-of-the-woods for the Monterey Historics at Laguna Seca.
Plugs backing-out unfortunately is not uncommon, especially in the earlier models, as Randy Webb has noticed. I encourage all to check periodically. I was doing so every 6 weeks, but just found it to be too much of a hassle with a larger top mount IC blocking access. Dealing with the IC boots, particularly the stiffer aftemkt ones can make this more of a chore than it needs to be. The DFIC thanfully allwowed me to do this with ease today...
Here's a thread I just revived in the Beneath the Bonnet Forum:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...rk+plug+torque
Jake, I wish you the best with your MINI, and the continuation of your journey!
Plugs backing-out unfortunately is not uncommon, especially in the earlier models, as Randy Webb has noticed. I encourage all to check periodically. I was doing so every 6 weeks, but just found it to be too much of a hassle with a larger top mount IC blocking access. Dealing with the IC boots, particularly the stiffer aftemkt ones can make this more of a chore than it needs to be. The DFIC thanfully allwowed me to do this with ease today...
Here's a thread I just revived in the Beneath the Bonnet Forum:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...rk+plug+torque
Jake, I wish you the best with your MINI, and the continuation of your journey!
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6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,459
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee, WI
Jake,
If you were travelling the other direction (HI -> WI) I would be there to help you out as much as possible in a heartbeat. I'm sorry to hear all of this happened to you and I wish you the best of luck!
-Ben
If you were travelling the other direction (HI -> WI) I would be there to help you out as much as possible in a heartbeat. I'm sorry to hear all of this happened to you and I wish you the best of luck!
-Ben
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4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 590
Likes: 1
From: Wisconsin
After careful consideration, and the fact that the job I had lined up here in HI fell through (rather than hiring 10 new employees they laid-off 20! surprise!), my wife and I have decided to sell the Mini (wipes away tear). 
I will be putting up a post soon, and will be selling it in it's current condition.....Thanks for all the kind words, and the support
I will be putting up a post soon, and will be selling it in it's current condition.....Thanks for all the kind words, and the support
Banned
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,848
Likes: 1
From: City of Angels, Cali
Originally Posted by Coop d'etat
After careful consideration, and the fact that the job I had lined up here in HI fell through (rather than hiring 10 new employees they laid-off 20! surprise!), my wife and I have decided to sell the Mini (wipes away tear).
I will be putting up a post soon, and will be selling it in it's current condition.....Thanks for all the kind words, and the support
I will be putting up a post soon, and will be selling it in it's current condition.....Thanks for all the kind words, and the support
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: Orlando
Maybe you dont need a head. Do you think a helicoil would do the trick? Might take an hour to put in, if you take your time. You dont have to remove the head to do it. Too bad about the job, and having to sell the MINI. Best of luck to you.
Coordinator :: Dynamic MiNi Collective
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 591
Likes: 2
From: Chandler, AZ
4th Gear
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 585
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere that no longer exists
dont need to remove the head to put in a heli coil???!!!??? what about all those little shavings from taping a new hole in your head? You can bet your bottom dollar you need to remove the head to instal a helicoil, and be sure to double your money! Yes, a helicoil is probably your best and cheapest bet at getting it fixed (your labour to remove and instal your head) plus probably 40 bucks or so to get a helicoil installed at a shop, and you might as well do all 4 so it doesnt happen again.
Beecher
Beecher
Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 590
Likes: 1
From: Wisconsin
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,172
Likes: 1
From: Wisconsin
Jake, sorry to hear about your misfortune, both w/ your MINI and your job in HI. I would think that your problem would be solved under warranty. 
. You really had a great looking Car.
Wish you the best of luck.
. You really had a great looking Car. Wish you the best of luck.
Originally Posted by Coop d'etat
My wife and I were on our way to Long Beach, CA to ship our car to Honolulu, HI. We had planned a great 3 day trip across the Midwest, and southwest our last stop before shipping being in Barstow, CA, a town about 2hrs outside of Long Beach. The mini was having a great trip, and ran flawlessly at 29.6mpg all the way across the scorching west, ready for its new home in Hawaii.
Friday morning in Barstow that all changed. I moved the mini out of our parking spot at the hotel closer to our room so that we could organize our luggage for an easy removal when we got to the port. After the car was loaded I started it back up and heard a loud POP! My heart sank.
The #4 spark plug had popped out of its hole (plug wire still attached) and hit the hood. Upon inspection I found that there were no threads remaining for the sparkplug to screw back into.
Knowing that I needed to make this ship in 3 hours at the port I first called mini roadside, and then my service advisor and tech back in Milwaukee. My MCS has a pulley/Alta, denso cold plugs, and wires. With no stock parts in hand, the odds of MINIUSA covering a spark plug failure looked grim.
My tech suggested that I keep an eye on the temp, ground or insulate the plug, and drive at moderate speeds (staying out of boost as much as possible) to the dock, and get it to Hawaii.
So that's what I did...and arrived on time at the port. To further complicate things, my gas gauge wasn't reading correctly. The "miles to empty tank" readout was climbing, and my mpg was pegged at 99.9, also for some unknown reason the needle would not fall below 1/4 tank (it stayed about 1/8th of an inch above it).
Because of this last problem the port wouldn't accept the car for shipping (the needle needs to read 1/4 or below...no ifs ands or buts). So not realizing that there was a problem with the fuel readout in general, I had the tank drained the next morning...with no fuel at all in the tank, it still read above 1/4. I then drove my 3 cyl. mini to the dealership in Long Beach (on spring and cherry) to have them at least fix the fuel readout problem. They said everything was working fine, and there was nothing to fix.
After already spending an extra $400 on a flight change, and $100 on a hotel I parked the mini in storage, and flew to Honolulu.
So this is where I stand:
-The mini needs a new head
-The gas gauge needs to be fixed (product of missing plug?)
-The car is in Long Beach
I can get a new head, and do the work myself, but I have no place to work...this is where I start to beg, and plead for anyone in the LA/Long Beach area to help me out. I would like to fly back sometime in the next couple of months and fix the mini and get it on a ship. To do this I will need to drive it to someone's garage, and rent their space to work for probably a day, perhaps two.
I understand this is an odd request, but any help or advice would be a great help
My internet access is limited until our place is fully set up next week...so if need be please call me at 414-915-0710 if you would like to reach me in a timely manner.
Thanks,
Jake
Friday morning in Barstow that all changed. I moved the mini out of our parking spot at the hotel closer to our room so that we could organize our luggage for an easy removal when we got to the port. After the car was loaded I started it back up and heard a loud POP! My heart sank.
The #4 spark plug had popped out of its hole (plug wire still attached) and hit the hood. Upon inspection I found that there were no threads remaining for the sparkplug to screw back into.
Knowing that I needed to make this ship in 3 hours at the port I first called mini roadside, and then my service advisor and tech back in Milwaukee. My MCS has a pulley/Alta, denso cold plugs, and wires. With no stock parts in hand, the odds of MINIUSA covering a spark plug failure looked grim.
My tech suggested that I keep an eye on the temp, ground or insulate the plug, and drive at moderate speeds (staying out of boost as much as possible) to the dock, and get it to Hawaii.
So that's what I did...and arrived on time at the port. To further complicate things, my gas gauge wasn't reading correctly. The "miles to empty tank" readout was climbing, and my mpg was pegged at 99.9, also for some unknown reason the needle would not fall below 1/4 tank (it stayed about 1/8th of an inch above it).
Because of this last problem the port wouldn't accept the car for shipping (the needle needs to read 1/4 or below...no ifs ands or buts). So not realizing that there was a problem with the fuel readout in general, I had the tank drained the next morning...with no fuel at all in the tank, it still read above 1/4. I then drove my 3 cyl. mini to the dealership in Long Beach (on spring and cherry) to have them at least fix the fuel readout problem. They said everything was working fine, and there was nothing to fix.
After already spending an extra $400 on a flight change, and $100 on a hotel I parked the mini in storage, and flew to Honolulu.
So this is where I stand:
-The mini needs a new head
-The gas gauge needs to be fixed (product of missing plug?)
-The car is in Long Beach
I can get a new head, and do the work myself, but I have no place to work...this is where I start to beg, and plead for anyone in the LA/Long Beach area to help me out. I would like to fly back sometime in the next couple of months and fix the mini and get it on a ship. To do this I will need to drive it to someone's garage, and rent their space to work for probably a day, perhaps two.
I understand this is an odd request, but any help or advice would be a great help
My internet access is limited until our place is fully set up next week...so if need be please call me at 414-915-0710 if you would like to reach me in a timely manner.
Thanks,
Jake
Vendor & Moderator :: MINI Camera and Video & c3 club forum
iTrader: (6)
Really sorry to hear about that. I sent you an email.
Richard
Richard
Originally Posted by herbie hind
sorry for your misfortune look up summit racing . they sell a kit for heli-coiling without drilling. i'd still vacuum the cylinder when done though.
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 330
Likes: 37
From: Atlanta
Wow...I am fairly new to this Mini performance thing but...Denso plugs seem to be blowing out of heads every week around here. Why in the world should anyone have to check their spark plugs for being tight every six weeks!!!! This is insane...mods or not...and is totally unacceptable. Someway, somehow, somewhere, a light has to be going on in someones head that these Denso plugs and Mini's are not compatable. When it comes time for me to change the plugs in my car, there won't be a second thought NOT to use Denso's. The writing is on the wall...now all we have to do is read it!
My comments are not intended to ruffle any feathers or knock a product or a manufacturer, but rather to highlight, for the benefit of those on this forum looking to install aftermarket plugs in their car, the "fact' that this particular brand of spark plug has a nasty habit of loosening in the heads of the Mini, and, if not checked for tightness on a very frequent basis, could loosen to the point where it blows out the threads...always at the expense of the owner.
Thanks all!
My comments are not intended to ruffle any feathers or knock a product or a manufacturer, but rather to highlight, for the benefit of those on this forum looking to install aftermarket plugs in their car, the "fact' that this particular brand of spark plug has a nasty habit of loosening in the heads of the Mini, and, if not checked for tightness on a very frequent basis, could loosen to the point where it blows out the threads...always at the expense of the owner.
Thanks all!
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 716
Likes: 0
From: Cumming, GA
Not necessarily...
With my two MINIs, I've got over 60,000 miles on Densos.
Torqued properly to 20-21 ft lbs, never had a problem.
FWIW, being compulsive, I'm on my fourth set. Lots of chances for the new set to come loose.
Just another viewpoint, only from experience.
Torqued properly to 20-21 ft lbs, never had a problem.
FWIW, being compulsive, I'm on my fourth set. Lots of chances for the new set to come loose.
Just another viewpoint, only from experience.
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,957
Likes: 2
From: a canyon, south Bay Area
As I've said before (in this thread, and/or another one), it is not the plugs per se. Randy Webb has noticed this with different types of plugs, including stock. It seems to be more with the older model heads...
Originally Posted by TonyB
As I've said before (in this thread, and/or another one), it is not the plugs per se. Randy Webb has noticed this with different types of plugs, including stock. It seems to be more with the older model heads...
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 0
From: Wichita, Kansas
Originally Posted by TonyB
As I've said before (in this thread, and/or another one), it is not the plugs per se. Randy Webb has noticed this with different types of plugs, including stock. It seems to be more with the older model heads...
Originally Posted by herbie hind
and just like the harmonic balancers that are now exploding we all just sit back (bend over?) and take it instead of getting together and .....yes; goddam right!!!!demanding a recall .
It always amazes me the number of people who think they know more than the TEAM of educated and experienced people who design the car.....The first thing people go do is go jack with something to make more HP, then get mad at the manufacturer when things break......
I can think of a handfull of reasons that aftermarket non oem plugs COULD blow out....and all are related to you thinking you know more than the engineers who made the specs. taken together they are a recipe for failure.
So it is wrong to so quickly blame the manufactuer when they would rather you leave the darn thing alone and drive it 200k miles, instead of tarnishing their reputation of quality with tinkered around with pieces of crap
Originally Posted by planeguy
I have heard of one stock plug going and that was after the guy messed with the plugs himself...I have not heard of this, except with the lightened crank pullies, or other modifications.
People in this forum usually discuss Performance Mods pertaining to the Drivetrain...Not STOCK MCs...That could be why people discuss there problems with aftermarket products and not stock products...Happy motoring