Spark plug broke, now I'm panicking!!!
 

Long story short, autozone gave me the wrong plugs, I had already taken out the old ones. When I realized that it was the wrong plug, I went to put the old ones back in so I could drive back and get the right ones. As I was tightening it (with a torque wrench) it snapped in half and now the bottom half is stuck in the hole.


Does anyone know what to do in this situtation, since everything on google seems to be about a ford triton

Hi, I don't have an answer for your question but I do have a question for you since I'm planning to change my spark plugs too. What torque did you use to put them back?
Maybe you use the wrong torque?

Hopefully someone can help you here.

I used 23 Nm (17 Ft. lbs) as per my Bentley Manual

They sell screw extractors for that, might be a complex operation if you aren't a full on diy mechanic.

That is what I'd use, but it comes with a few complications.

I take it that the spark plug sheered at the gasket, and if so the centre electrode and ceramic insulator would need to be cleared for the extractor.

You could try some Blue Tak on the end of a dowel to pull the centre electrode out, but if that doesn't work, then it will be knocked into the combustion chamber and that will be even more difficult to extract.

Then comes the complication of securing the extractor to an extension, might need to be welded to the extension.

Might be a good idea to practice with the extractor on a spare plug cut off at the same spot.

The extractors have a tendency to expand the part being extracted, and lock it up solid. The fluted type might be better.

KD Tools 5-Piece Straight Fluted Screw Extractor Set


KD Tools 4-Piece Spiral Fluted Screw Extractor Set


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...9a47f247fb.gif

If this happened, you're a little better off.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...1fd9b4971a.jpg

This is the half I have
 

It snapped clean off

Looking at that pic, I'd say your first job is to attempt extracting the remains of the centre electrode.

Thank you very much for all of the advice. I'm not going to get to anything until Monday since everything is closed today (easter)

*Here's to hoping*

Home Depot and Lowes is open in my area, ....should be in yours too.

How did it go?

If not really knowledgeable about cars, it's an easy job to replace plugs unless wrong parts are provided by some discount store. Bad situation.

Stick with either OEM from dealer or reputable MINI Vendor who is on this forum for critical parts like this. Auto Zone, Pep Boys, Advanced Auto, eBay....your taking your chances.

With respect to incorrect spark plugs, seen them snapped off like this and even a few holes punched through piston heads....Definitely scope and retrieve the ceramic parts and strap if they don't come out with the rest of it. GL!

My suggestion to the OP: DO NOT turn that engine over until you have all pieces out, including having a shop use a fiber scope through the plug hole to assure that the cylinder is clear. One revolution and you could punch a hole in a piston or cause lesser damage.

The OP still hasn't really given us an explanation of exactly what parts of the plug remain in the engine. I really don't know that I would do this myself, given the potential for damage - and I've been working on cars for many years.

if i understood the op he was reinstalling the original plugs.
might want to check the calibration of that wrench, and dont trust a big capacity wrench at the very bottom of its scale.

Agreed, there is potential for significant error at the low end of a wrench's torque rating. I keep wrenches around with a couple of different ranges for that reason. But 1 to 5 lbs/ft of error isn't likely to cause damage.

Your absence here might suggest that you've resolved the problem and cruising.

Yeah, it's crappy when people don't end their threads with news of how it turned out.

We all learn from the feedback of what actually worked.

Maybe then new plugs were of different thread/pitch so old plugs could not go back in ? Nightmare....

Not if they were in any way the correct model plug, regardless of heat range.

Did you manage to get the remaining piece out safely, and up an running now?

I apologize to everyone on this this thread. I got pretty busy and haven't come on it a while after the repair. I ended up having to take it to mini, they had to remove the head and spin it out from the bottom. So it was not the happiest of endings, but she is back up and running. Teaches me for trying to be self sufficient hahaha!!!

This happened to me today...

Trying to decide which tool would be best for this job. Any suggestions?

The new plug that broke off from the gasket-down was purchased through WMW and is the correct fit for my vehicle. I had the torque setting at the lowest (10 ft/lb) and usually work up from there. I was able to extract the rest of the plug, electrode and all, but still need to unscrew the threads that are stuck inside the head.

I'll remove the valve cover tomorrow to see if I can reach with an extension and get it with a T-Handle type tool. Has anyone else had success trying to extract this type of situation?

Seeing that picture made me sick a little. Was it an NGk plug?

I would try to use a small long flat head, try to get it on the one side of the electrode and turn it loose. Other than that a rod or maybe a smaller tap to catch the barrel on the inside and reverse it out. Be careful.

"spark plug extractor" might find the right sized one if you google it.