Spark plug hole thread restore

[stoinkythepig]

Anyone got the tools necessary to repair a M10x1 spark plug hole? It's for a 2001 ZX9r and NGK CR9EK plug. Had a plug pop out all of a sudden on my way home from work on Friday (there's an "oh crap what happened to my engine?" sound, if I ever heard one). I got the plug back in and finished my ride home but the threads are toast. I found a kit by "Timesert" See: ++ TIME-SERT Threaded inserts threaded for stripped threads, threaded inserts, thread repair , stripped sparkplug's, sparkplug blowouts, threaded inserts threaded, repair stripped threads, stripped threads, inserts threaded inserts. that looks promising, and I can even buy one near where I work, but if anyone's got one to lend, well...

If I can't borrow one, odds are good I'll have one to lend soon.

[SSearchVT]

I don't have one to lend - but it's a fairly common repair at foreign car shops. A few years ago my ex-wife had it done in her Audi for about $50. Hope this helps.

[wylee]

I don't have one either, but I can tell you timesert kits are great quality. I've used a few (none that were my fault...fricken previous owners) and after seeing the timesert quality, I wouldn't even consider a helicoil.

[Currently]

I agree ... timesert is much better quality than helicoil.

[OreoGaborio]

what about something for oil pans?

[SSearchVT]

what about something for oil pans?

A timesert will work if the oil pan is decent thickness in material (not stamped), but I'd drill it out and tap it for the next size bolt. You'll have to remember this when you go to get a new crush washer for the drain plug.

[TLRMan]

Helicoil thread inserts, are used for many applications.
I use them all the time...I'll have to look and see if we have an M10x1 insert tool and inserts...need drill and tap for that size too. I'll check at the shop.

[stoinkythepig]

Holy crap, $127 for the timesert kit! I think I'll explore alternatives for now...

Mark, the spark plug well is 5.5" from the valve cover to the end of the threads, will a helicoil insert tool reach that far? My Helicoil kits all have short insert tools.

[Tricky Mike]

what about something for oil pans?

I have a pretty good selection of metric taps if you're interested...

[stoinkythepig]

I have a pretty good selection of metric taps if you're interested...

I do too, in case anyone needs any in the future.

[stoinkythepig]

Hudson Cycle center is going to fix it for $36 on Thursday (the tank and airbox are off so they have a clear shot at it, the price is for the thread repair only). They have the Timesert kit, have done it before and are right on my way to work. RJs would only fix it if the head was off, I'm not ready to pull the head yet...

[TLRMan]

gotta use grease on the tap or a good vacuum when retapping the threads..Don't want the chips to fall into the cylinder! The is a high spiral type tap that shoots the chips back out of the hole, instead of pushing them forward like a coventional tap, but you still have to drill out the threads before you tap for the helicoil.

[TLRMan]

Holy crap, $127 for the timesert kit! I think I'll explore alternatives for now...

Mark, the spark plug well is 5.5" from the valve cover to the end of the threads, will a helicoil insert tool reach that far? My Helicoil kits all have short insert tools.

Yes they have a long nose on them....but I have read your last post, so we are cool!

[stoinkythepig]

Thanks to all for the info and help. I'm having the shop do nothing but drill, tap, and install the insert (and they mentioned that they had to grease the tap etc. before I had a chance to mention it, so I know they have done this before). I'll be responsible for getting out any chips they miss and frankly, I'm not terribly worried about little bits of aluminum that I may miss. Iron would bother me though...