Motorcycle Repair: Spark Plug Hole Stripped, torque wrench, plug hole

Question
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Followup To
Question -

Mike,

Thank you for the information ( however bad the news is ) at least I have somewhere to work from... Do you typically pull the head or can you
add a Helicoil Or the some of the other high tech inserts, as I have read from other postings on the web while still on the motor ?

I know keeping the cylinder clean is very important if the head is mounted but in your experience what is best to do ?

Also last but not least, what do you reccomend to prevent this problem
again ?  I normally do all my tuneups on Automotive V-6 and 4 Cylinder engines with Aluminium heads and do not have any problems.

Thanks for the excellent web site and information...

I will look forward to your reply.

Thank you and have a great day !

Joe Vitale



Dear Mike,

I have a new 2005 Kawasaki inline 4 and during the first plug change, I may have used an improper torque wrench and hence overtorqued the # 1 cylinder.  

Question # 1  How can I tell for sure if the plug hole is stripped or not ?

Qestions # 2  What is the best way to repair the stripped plug, if it is indeed stripped out?

I have not fired the engine after the change yet until I find out more, also the other 3 holes seem ok as they are snug where # 1 seems to be loose.

Thank you for the help !

Joe Vitale





Answer -
If the plug is loose or keeps turning in the hole then you have stripped it. You will have to remove the head and have it drilled out and a insert put it to repair it.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike

Answer
Anything you do to repair the hole will require drilling, so you are taking a chance of getting metal inthe cylinder. I always remove the head. I do not use heli coils. personnally i dont like them. I use a titanium insert, whick will never strip out.
Stripping plugs is from (1) overtorquing and (2) not putting anti seize on the plug threads.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike