Help Please!!! Blown Engine?!?!

[oo7dw]

I really need some advice. Today while driving home, i accelerated to pass up a car and suddenly i hear a loud POP in my engine. the rpms dropped, but the car was still running. My car sounded like one of those old vw bugs. I pulled over and checked the engine. One of the spark plug boots popped out! i look inside and there was no spark plug..... I plug the boot back in and everytime i start the car it shoots right back out. The car is extremely slow ( i'm guessing because i'm running on 3 cylinders) and sounds like it's dying.. (the old vw bug sound) I don't think it is a blown engine because it still runs. Does anyone know what happened? I also have mods on the car (pulley, intake, exhaust) I'm afraid to bring it to the dealer because they will blame on the mods. but if worse comes to worse i have no choice. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[dukesantos]

I'm having a hard time understanding your problem. You said you looked and there was no spark plug in the hole, but then you plugged the cap back in. To what? If you stuck it back on an empty hole of course the air coming out will dislodge the cap. If you put another plug it and screwed it down it will not blow out unless somehow the threads are stripped out. More info please.

[oo7dw]

yeah sorry bout that, the boot does not plug back in so it kept shooting out. But yeah there was no spark plug where it should be. Does it sound like the problem is caused by the mysterous missing spark plug? or does it sound like something happened to the engine?

[dukesantos]

Installing the fourth spark plug should fix your problem. If the threads are bad any garage should be able to either re-thread it or install a heli-coil insert. Hopefully that won't be necessary.

[MrV]

I have heard of this problem before a couple of times believe it or not. A guy on another board that I talk to (he's also an MA) had one of his spark plugs blow out. He ended up porting and polishing his head.

Any chance on replacing the original equipment before going to the dealer? Remember, they have to prove that the mods caused the problem, not sure if they could prove that with your mods (but I think you are right to be concerned about it, based on your aftermarket stuff).

Here's the original thread of when it happened to him:

http://www.metroplexmini.org/forum/s...ead.php?t=8246

Here's a link to his "diary" of his overhaul.

http://www.metroplexmini.org/forum/s...ead.php?t=8311

I would feel free to PM/email Graham directly. He's really nice even if he doesn't know you. He helped me out in deciding a few things when I was ordering my MINI. Ask him what he thinks.

Hope this helps you out.

-- Jay

[oo7dw]

thanx for the replies. I've been freak'n out for the past few hours. I really hope it's just the matter of replacing the spark plug. My poor mini... i'm sad...

[S33BBY]

Why not take it straight to your dealer instead of messing around with it yourself?

[oo7dw]

Bad news... the socket is stripped...... Any recommendations where to get re threaded? Does any garage do it?

[pocketrocketowner]

You will need a helicoil insert. any decent auto repair shop will do it, hopefully without having to pull the head......

[A13EX F Cooper S]

your modifications should not have caused that problem re-fit standard plugs if you have changed them and get mini to pick the car up!