So i was driving my rx8 at normal street speeds, not redlining or anything when suddenly i started to lose power, and the engine was sputtering and exhaust was "brap"ing but not in the good way. CEL was flashing. I drove it like that maybe 5 miles to my house, hooked up the odb scanner and it read the P0301 code. Cylinder 1 misfire.

Odd but okay, this was around 11pm, no autozone or store open to get parts. Next day. I get new coils, replaced them. Turned on the car, same thing. Removed spark plugs, they were dirty and i cleaned them. Except... the Trail spark plug on the right (if looking at the plugs from the wheel arch) was very hard to remove. The plastic piece of the plug broke, so i had to replace it. I figured might of been corroded or something. I go in to tread the new plug... it doesnt tread properly. It looks as if its sitting slightly off centered, and if i try treading, itll get to half way in and thats it. I dont want to force it, but when i turned it on, it still sputters and smells like gasoline. I imagine the treads on the rotor housing are bad.

Interestingly enough, i never had that problem. This weekend i got the car back from the shop who replaced the clutch and SS clutch line, it drove fine for 50 miles before the misfire happened.

So do i need to replace that rotor housing, and possibly rebuild the engine while im at it? It has 86k original miles. Unless anyone has any ideas?






Some of that stuff is anti seize lube that got smeared off.

 

U mean the whole outside portion of the plug snapped off?
Too much antisieze, remove it
If you very carfeully put your finger in the hole does it feel like ther are sharp segments in the thread?

 

you could fix it with this

snapon internal sparkplug thread tap

 

Any local auto part store should have a spark plug tap kit so you can re-thread it.

 

Is there a particular size I should be looking for or will most sets come with different sizes? I see that, that PDF file has 14mm. Is that the size or thats just general? Cause the socket I use to get the plug off is 3/8-16 so thats what I need right?

Also those rethread kits are safe and reliable? Not going to have to worry about it coming loose right?

 

The thread is M14 X1.25.

If the threads are too destroyed to retap them you can buy an insert to fix the thread. The most common is a Helicoil. But there are other types out there as well

 

Helicoil 5334-14 Thread Repair Kit M14 X 1.25in. - Walmart.com

basically that right? Well at $25 it sure beats thousands of dollars in a new rotor housing.

Thanks for letting me know which one it is. I am still scratching my head wondering how it could of happened considering before the clutch it was fine and dandy. Oh well. Thanks.

 

Someone removed a plug that was galled into the socket..it is common if there wasn't any anti-seize on the threads.

 

Jesus Martinez, did you fix this yet? If so do you have pictures. I have some what of that issue too. But no check engine light. My threads are messed up, so I have just not changed my plug in about a year. I need to change it and fix the threads but need help.

Please let me know if you got it squared away, and any tips welcomed.

 

Sorry man, not yet. I ordered the item last night from amazon via prime shipping so itll be here tomorrow. That's when I'll attempt it and report back

 

This is why we always use anti seize and start the threads by hand first. Also don't overtorque the plugs when installing. Its easy to break them off at the ceramic.

 

BTW is it really possible to Helicoil a spark plug hole, in situ, with out either removing the engine,
or more likely rebuilding the engine,
Any metal swarf that goes into he plug hole is going to kill the housing anyway..?

 

The videos ive seen on yourube of the helicoil, have the spark plug holes facing downwards. And they clean it with compressed air.

 

I recommend using plenty of bearing grease on the thread chaser so that any particles stick to it

 

So my mom is persistent i take it to a shop, to have them do it so that if it messes up, they will be responsible for it. She doesnt want me touching. Guess im stuck paying $150 for this. Haha despite turning 24 on monday, i still gotta listen to my parents :/