engine wierdness

[cybermini]

28 AUG 2011

Okay, I started my car this morning and heard a 'different' ticking noise from my engine. Popped open the bonnet and noticed as I looked at the cylinder head, with the 4 sparkplug wires going into the 4 round rubber (seal) caps, that on #2 the rubber seal was flexing like a subwoofer on a speaker with every spark of that cylinder. I shut it off. Pulled out the rubber connection to the spark plug. It looked normal, so I plugged it back in and restarted the motor. The noise was completely gone, but this one rubber seal continued to flex up and down with each spark. I will check to see if the spark plug is screwed in completely when I get home after work.

Anyone seen this? Suggestions and insight welcome.

Thanks,
Blaine

[mab01uk]

Spark plug has probably worked loose..............don't delay or drive any further, if you don't tighten soon the thread in the cylinder head will be damaged beyond use and will require a helicoil which may need removal of the cylinder head...........hope you catch it in time!

[cybermini]

Thanks for the response, mab01uk. The plug had spun itself loose ... hmmmm. Never saw that before on any of my cars. Pulled it and the bosch platinum 4 plug was totally covered in carbon. Seemed very strange because the car has not run rough at all. Just a normal drive yesterday and the noticeable ticking this morning. Checked torque and the others were fine. Restarted and everything looked and sounded normal = no seal flexing!