Dammit. My truck was perfect. i had trouble with #3. I thought i stripped it , then i overtightened it and heard a small "crack" noise. Now my 2001 2.3L ranger lacks power and backfires, etc.

hOW CAN I FIX THE spark plug insulator?
Can i use a Helicoil?

 

I hate to say this..But couldn't you just buy a new spark plug?

 

Are you saying the head is stripped out now?

There is a product called a "timesert" which is suposed to be better than a helicoil. I think they are from NAPA. You have to be careful no matter what you do because you can get shavings in your cylinder.

 

Exactly what I was thinking...a spark plug is under $2 (most of them, at least).

Just break down already, take out that second mortgage, and head to the parts store for a replacement!

 

I didnt break the spark plug. I was doing a tuneup, and when i was loosing spark plug number 3, i was taking it out at a slight angle. When i put the new plug , it would tighten then keep turning, so i thought it was stripped. I loosened the spark plug and caught the right thread, tightened it real tight then heard a small sound that sounded like a crack.

Pretty sure its stripped/ with a minor crack.

 

So what do you guys think is the best/cheapest way to fix this?

 

Please Help.

 

What is the problem?
The plug is broke?
You can't get the plug out?
The threads are stripped?
I managed to strip the holes a few weeks ago. I got a spark plug thread chaser from a parts store and rethreaded it. Before I put the new plug in, I disconnected the coil pack and turned the engine over a few time in hopes of blowing the shavings out.

 

HOW DID YOUR truck work after you re-threaded it.
As for me, the plug is fine, but the hole(insulator) has a minor crack. I screwed the spark plug a little crooked.

 

do you use a regular socket wrench to tap the helicoil into the insulator?

 

well usually you have to get a certain size drill bit so you can drill the hole out then the right size tap and you tap the hole out then you can thread the helicoil in the hole. the kit comes with the tap and helicoil threader you'll need to know what size hole it is so you can get the right size helicoil .all you got to do it go to the autoparts store and look up the plug for your truck and they should be able to give you the correct kit.

 

I understand now. The term isolator was throwing me off. I thought you were referring to the ceramic part of the spark plug.

I used the chaser on a ratchet (socket), it was slow and tedious. I had to go in and back it out several times, slowly working all the way in.

I have no idea if this was the proper method of fixing the problem, but it seemed to work.

I have no idea how it would work if the tube in the cylinder head is cracked.

 

o.k. I bought the heilicoils (the inserts), and i got the rethreader. But I STARTED drilling with the rethreader and it is the same size of the spark plug. So, since the helicoil insert is a little bigger, i think im missing something.

 

The re-threader will be the exact same size as the spark plug. It's supposed to be.

I think pictures will help this out a lot, if you can.

 

RIGHT! The helicoil insert is a bit bigger so wouldnt i have to "drill" a bigger hole , then insert the helicoil insert.

So, am i missing a drill bit? If so, i physically take a drill bit and smooth out the insulator. Then i rethread with the helicoil insert, correct?