I'm on my way back to AZ with the kids from PA and blew out the #4 plug in Ohio. I limped to an autoparts store and bought a new COP. The thread on the old plug did not show any shaved aluminum on it. Can I reinstall the old plug without using an insert?

 

You can try, if it will tighten up it might last for a little while. I don't think I would count on it for the long run though.

 

Nope, it won't hold.

 

You might get this to work NAPA # BK 600-3248 about $65.00. But it will get you out of a bind . It requires only average hand tools . It comes with a special shorter plug boot to compensate for the longer length of the repair insert. Once installed you replace the plug with newer style HT plugs . Can be installed easily in a half hour.

 

I've stopped in Terre Haute for the night. I'm limiting the drive to AZ to daylight hours. If the plug blows again before I get back, I'll look at the Napa parts. I only brought basic sockets and wrenches with me so my repairs are limited. Funds are limited so repair shops are an absolute last resort.

 

I blew a plug on my 99 Navi and put it back in and it held long enough to get me home. Granted I was only 15 minutes from my house. But worth a shot. Who's to say the plug completely damaged the threads.

 

Although I wish him luck in getting home without further incident, the fact of the matter is that the spark plug threads were still there. That can only mean that the threads in the spark plug hole are not. There is no way for the plug to come out unless the threads were stripped out of the hole, unless of course the plug was loose and unthreaded itself.

 

I agree. When mine came out there were not many if any threads left. I managed to thread the plug in tight enough to keep it in for the drive home. I did end up ordering a time-sert

 

Just made it home. Off to NAPA tomorrow.

 

You might want to consider spending the money on a time-sert kit if you are planning on keeping the truck for a while

 

I do plan on keeping it. If the economy doesn't recover, I may end up living in it. So what is the difference between the time cert and the previously mentioned NAPA fix?

 

With the NAPA fix , you will have to use those smaller HT style spark plugs in that hole from now on . That would make one or more plugs different from all the rest. With the time sert repair you use the original plug type. You also have better thread than the factory put in which will give you years of trouble free service. But the time sert system requires a special kit and is kind of pricey . Either fix can be done at home with out removing engine or heads.

 

I agree that the time-sert kit is a little pricey. But after it is done you at least have the peace of mind that it is fix. I think I paid around 350.00 for my kit and that will do 5 plug holes. I am yet to need another one but am keeping the kit as long as I own the navi cause you know what will happen if I sell it.