blew a plug... $1,500 to fix it ?!?!?

[gaijin]

Noob here. Wasup everybody?

(I also posted this in the Protege garage but I need a quick answer so I'm double posting...)

I just blew a plug out the top of the block on my 2003 P5 w/ 80k.
The garage says they don't think they can helicoil it cuz the plugs sit so far into the block.
They say they need to pull the head and helicoil from the inside.
Estimated $1,500!!!!!!!

1. Has anybody successfully helicoiled a plug on this motor w/out pulling the head?

2. If they do have to pull the head $1,500 seems WAAAAAAAAY forkin high!!

What's the consensus??

Thanks!!

 

[ho bag]

Cheaper to buy a new motor and install it your self then pay that retarded price!

You can try to helicoil it you self, if that fails swap the motor.

 

[Beau M]

Cheaper to buy a new motor and install it your self then pay that retarded price!

You can try to helicoil it you self, if that fails swap the motor.

... for a MSP motor

 

[2.0t03speed]

the msp motor is the same....there is no difference why does everyone think that ?

 

[ho bag]

the msp motor is the same....there is no difference why does everyone think that ?

No idea but i wish they would stop.

 

[2.0t03speed]

me too lol

 

[Beau M]

Really? No forged internals or anything to handle the boost? I know with my mitsubishi its the same engine in the na and turbo, but the valves and crank are different in the turbo version. Everyone says our engines are weak, why would they turbo a weak motor without fortifying it some?

 

[2.0t03speed]

lol dude the msp motor can barely hand 250 hp. s*** even the new ms3 & ms6 motors arent forged. and the reason they threw a turbo on a weak motor was to save costs. the msp motor was never meant to handle alot of power.

 

[gaijin]

Cheaper to buy a new motor and install it your self

I wish!
I don't have the tools or skills for that

The shop labor book says it's 8 hrs to replace a head. Shop rates around here are $100-150/hour. Plus $70 for a head gasket and whatever else...

looks like I'm hosed.

man, for 1,500 seems like I should get a new head, an added turbo, wash, wax, lunch, and a happy ending...

 

[ho bag]

Really? No forged internals or anything to handle the boost? I know with my mitsubishi its the same engine in the na and turbo, but the valves and crank are different in the turbo version. Everyone says our engines are weak, why would they turbo a weak motor without fortifying it some?

If your talkin 4g63 then the crank is the same for the 6bolt and 7bolt motor(respectably). Older 4g63 had the same rods and different pistons. i believe the newer 4g63 are close to hat as well. I used to own a built 91 tsi awd that i redid with weiscos and eagle rods. Strong motor.

 

[aMaff]

or...take it somewhere else that's not going to screw you.

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

X2....theres never only 1 mechanic in any time.... do some shopping, get a second opinion.

or...take it somewhere else that's not going to screw you.

 

[DeanSweet]

I don't see how this is an issue? Pull the valve cover and the plugs are right there? Seems a bit excessive to pull the head. I would start calling around to other shops and tell them you have car that has blown the plug and need to know how much to heliocoil a new set of threads in there. It's always better to get more than one opinion. If you lived close to Cincinnati, Ohio I would be the guy willing to offer some sort of assistance.

 

[2.0t03speed]

umm what do you mean pull the valve cover and they are right there?

 

[2.0t03speed]

you going to haave to pull the head to put in the heli coils in anyway unless you just want the metal shavings sitting in your cylinder.

 

[ho bag]

Yes and no.

If you coat your tap and tools in wheel bearing grease it catches the shaving. Also you can put something like a small rag or such in the hole and then vacume it out afterwards.

I onces used rope through a sparkplug hole to stop a valve from droping into the cylinder while changing an retainer

 

[gaijin]

I onces used rope through a sparkplug hole to stop a valve from droping into the cylinder while changing an retainer

(lol)(cool)

 

[tonybonekhang]

I had a friend with an integra that had a spark plug heli-coiled. The plugs sit the same as mazda motors.

If you're mechanically inclined I'd pull the head and take it in to get heli-coiled. Everthing pretty much comes apart and back together fairly easily.

 

[pasadena_commut]

I just blew a plug out the top of the block on my 2003 P5 w/ 80k.

Had you or somebody else changed the plugs recently? The only times I've heard of a normally aspirated motor blowing a plug is after somebody screwed up installing it - either overtightened and stripped the head, or undertightened and the plug worked loose during use. If it was "somebody" else they might be induced to foot part of the bill for the repair.

Did you check that the threads in the head are really stripped? Do you have the plug? Before spending any money you should verify that the problem was with the head. It could have been a defective plug which broke apart during use. If that was the case, the manufacturer might cover some of the repairs.

 

[gaijin]

OK here's the story:

Original estimate (revised):
8 hrs labor to pull and reinstall the head at $110/hr
clear the error codes $95 (but they'll waive this charge)
1 hr at the machinist plus helicoil $150
new coil and wires $85
plugs $20
+ tax

so we're at $1,200. Sweet.

------------------------------------------

Turns out the machinist can helicoil w/out pulling the head.
New estimate:
machinist time w/ helicoil $150
2 hrs shop time to clear codes, clean plug/coil debris out of combustion chamber, replace plug/coil/wire $220
coil & wire assembly $135 (had to get it from the dealer at their markup!)
1 plug $5
+tax

out the door at $518 and I'm glad for it (sort of)

So get this:

ALL 3 OF THE OTHER PLUGS WERE LOOSE!
Appears that the douche at the Super-Duper Lube who changed my plugs didn't tighten them correctly.

I think I'd like to wrap my bill around a Louisville slugger and go pay him a visit...