My truck hasn't been running top notch for a few days. Nothing I could really put my finger on -- a little harder to start, an occasional stall, a bit rough at idle.
Today it decided to "pop" through the drivers side exhaust.
So I decided that it's time for some plugs, one is probably fouled. The last tune up was less than 10,000 miles ago.

Here's where things get weird:

I pulled off the first plug wire (off cylinder 1, it's a '66 428), and the plug boot came off with the screw-on cap from the spark plug. Ok. No biggy.
For some reason, before I put the socket to the plug, I reached in and touched the plug. It was loose! Like not even finger tight. Rotating around randomly...

I replaced the plug then went to pull the spark plug top out of the plug boot. The metal connector on the end of the plug wire came off with plug top.

Long story short: new plugs and wires and Dino runs like a dream. Easy start, better idle, better power.


So the question is:
Which caused which? How did the plug come loose? Did the oil blowing through the spark plug threads eat away the plug wire? Or are both things un-related?

Thanks,

darrell

 

Do you have any neighborhood pranksters or "buddies" at work who like to have fun?

 

Interesting idea Mike. I don't think so, but food for thought...

darrell

 

I have had spark plugs work loose on several occasions. Usually it is the one it hardest to get to and is difficult to torque well. After putting a new set of plugs in I now go and retorque after a couple weeks to make sure.

 

Whoever put in the last one didn't tighten it enough.

This ain't no mystery. I've done it myself. As a teenager I crossthreaded one into the head of a VW bug. After some weeks exhaust leaked through the threads and melted a hole in the head (and half of the plug itself) the size of a nickel. Needed new head.

A coupla years ago I swapped plugs on my Taurus. It has a transverse engine and I forgot to torque the 3 plugs on the firewall side. Driving home from 80 miles out the check engine light came on and the engine started to miss. Plug electrodes were gone and needed 3 more new ones.

It happens to everyone.

 

Thanks for the insights guys! In 25 years of driving assorted beaters and newer vehicles that's the first time that's happened to me.
I'm hoping to install my new Pertronix ignition tomorrow, so I'll re-torque the plugs at the same time...

darrell

 

Try to get plugs that don't have the screw on electrode on the cable end. I can't stand those things for just this reason.