I turned the car on heard puffing/popping sound so I popped off the engine cover and realized a sparked plug was out (still in the wire, but out of the engine).

First thought is that it may not have been in tight, but open to suggestions as to how it would have come out.

Second, picked up some replacement plugs they jiggle after putting them in as if the size is off...should they be 5/8's or something else? What is the recommended torque?

Next twist, I picked the car up second hand and was informed that the engine (OEM) was replaced at 58K miles (total today is 158K), so I am not exactly sure which engine I have other than it is a V6. Is there anyway to confirm the engine's year and type from the engine itself?

 

I have heard of instances where the spark plug has unscrewed and fell out, still attached to the ignition wire. I have also heard where the plugs were cross threaded and eventually got striped. In your case I would try one of the other plugs first as it is possible that the salesperson sold you the wrong one. I always visually compare the old to the new. If the threads are striped then you got a headache. You have to remove the head and get a kit for the repair. The kit usually includes a drill, tap and insert. Helicoil and Recoil are two but there are others. Always read the directions that came with the plugs for the recommended torque, tapered plugs and collapsible washers have different tightening requirements.

 

Pull one of the plugs that has not fallen out, preferably that needs some effort. You most likely bought plugs with the wrong thread, wrong plugs, entirely.

Plugs are 10, 14 and 18 mm. Older engines used larger plugs, generally, but not strictly. Your engine has been changed, at 58 thou, and you should ask Offramp where to look for the numbers. You might have a 10 year old engine in that thing, with more miles than the odometer reads.

Cheers,

George

 

Thank you for the insight. I have picked up the helicoil kit to repair the thread...however, before removing the head...I will check one of the other plugs to make sure the size is not the issue and that the thread is in need of repair...

I read through the manual and now know where to look for the engine numbers...hopefully, this will help me figure out what year and type of engine I actually have...which will point me in the right direction on the appropriate spark plug...

Either way I have a PITA job ahead, but the plug check approach is preferred over removing the head and using the sav-a-thread kit! I'll keep you posted.

 

helicoil kit to repair the thread.
http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?im...l%3Den%26lr%3D



[IMG]local://upfiles/12092/67C1E4C316BA4CEAB86C26F11F6ADD83.jpg[/IMG]