94 850 Spark Plug Nipple

skloon · Post by **skloon** » 14 Sep 2015, 10:05

So I had a bonehead move this weekend, I am doing an RN swap and decided to change plugs on the new engine that is laying on the floor, I pulled the plug opened the plug box and the damn nipple fell into the plug hole !!!!!!!!!!!!!! My father- old school guy says don't worry it will go out the exhaust and it is made of soft aluminum. I tried to get it out by poking around with a stick with bluetack on it but no dice. I really don't want to pull the head but am pretty much resigned to it. So is it necessary ?

Post by **RussB** » 14 Sep 2015, 10:08

Tip the engine upside down and shake it?

skloon · Post by **skloon** » 14 Sep 2015, 10:35

RussB wrote:Tip the engine upside down and shake it?

That was my brothers idea too- it may be hard on the hoist

Post by **cn90** » 14 Sep 2015, 10:54

Make some ghetto vacuum tubing + shop vac.
BUT: empty the shopvac completely and cleaned it.
This way when you suck it out, you can see it in the shop vac.

Post by **FLXC90** » 15 Sep 2015, 06:41

Are the manifolds off? If so maybe a different angle with the stick stuff? Maybe an inspection camera in the plug hole while you fish? (or vacuum)

Post by **renns** » 15 Sep 2015, 06:55

I'd go with cn90's idea of the shop vac. Make sure an intake or exhaust valve is open on that cylinder so you get lots of airflow. I'd sure be hesitant to fire it up knowing there's that slug of loose aluminum in there. The chances of it jamming in squish zone, or holding a valve open are pretty high.

Post by **abscate** » 15 Sep 2015, 09:29

cn90 wrote:Make some ghetto vacuum tubing + shop vac.
BUT: empty the shopvac completely and cleaned it.
This way when you suck it out, you can see it in the shop vac.

Get that cylinder on top dead center so that the valves are closed before you vacuum.

The other option is to buy/rent/borrow a fiber scope and see if you can grab it with either a grabber or chewing gum on a stick..

I can loan you the fiber scope, PM me - Ill also be in Buffalo in a couple weeks...not too far.

Post by **renns** » 15 Sep 2015, 13:04

Just be careful advancing towards TDC. You might pinch that thing in the squish area (suitably named!). Of course, maybe you'll push it right up to where you can see it in the plug hole as well, if today's your lucky day.

skloon · Post by **skloon** » 15 Sep 2015, 14:00

We got it out !!!!- I turned till the intake valves were open and blew it out with an air hose- it popped right out- thanks for all the suggestions- now I just have a bazillion things left to do

Post by **alschnertz** » 15 Sep 2015, 14:34

Sorry for sounding like a newb, but what is a "Spark plug nipple"?
I've been shade tree wrenching on cars for over 35 years and never heard of a "spark plug nipple".
You must be talking about the tip that screws on to the top of the insulator, yes?

Glad you got it out. I wouldn't want, or even expect, the engine to push it out on its own.