Bent spark plug on 03 mitsubishi eclipse gt
Asked by Kurtiss Aug 13, 2014 at 06:07 PM about the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
I recently changed my spark plugs in my
mitsubishi. The one was loose. When I put
the new one in I tightened it down. When I
started my vehicle it began making a
knocking noise. I removed the one spark
plug and it was bent. What could cause this
19 Answers
This is the second 'bent spark plug' question I have ever seen and both within the last few minutes. What bent? The tip? Ceramic does not bend..I am missing something..
Where you set the gap on the bottom of the spark plug.. it seems like something is coming up and hitting it causing it to bend
OK that makes sense. Are you sure you put the right plugs in, and not too long a thread that sticks down too far in to combustion chamber and was hit be valve? Compare old to new?
Ya same exact length. The old spark plug that was in that cylinder wasn't tightened down at all. As soon as I tightened the new one it started hitting it
What brand and number plug are you using?
Autolite platinum ap3923
Was checking applications. Geez... you got me, it is the right one. not like the old one was not hitting because it was loose.
Sorry man I am stumped now
Ya I been stumped I just hope it's not my piston or anything.
That is an interference engine, so tolerances are so friggin' close, maybe some sort of valve lash issue. Valve opening too far or duration too long Throwing guesses but don't know what else to do
Naw forget that. Would not hit plug
Idk I'm going to tear it down and see what it could be
What I can do is drop a PM to a friend that has one, and knows them maybe he can help..dandyoun, he's up there on this page,
You know what, it obviously can't stay that way so I think that's a good idea
Anything would help at this point
Was car running real bad and backfiring some why you changed the plugs? Sounds like you might have bent valves and they contacted the plug. Not a hard fix for a DIYer just time consuming. When you take head off make sure you inspect for damage to top of piston too.
Now if no bent valves(with head off) then screw all your plugs in that head and inspect to see if the one that was loose might be sticking out farther than the others.
