How do you remove a stripped broken spark plug on a 1989 Honda Accord?

Answer 1

Your local auto parts store should have Heli Coil kit or www.TimeSert.com something similar to fix you up. It's not for the faint of heart, though. Fortunately, the Accord's engine is situated to where you can reach most of the plugs. If you've been living a good, clean life then just your plug will be stripped. However, I've never known anyone to be that lucky, and in just about all cases, the head is stripped. You'll need to do some drilling. Get into the core of the plug with a proper bit; then, use an EZ-Out or whatever comes in the Heli Coil kit to back out the plug. The EZ Out or similar is sort of like a reverse drill bit. It bits into the plug or bolt or whatever you're trying to extract, and lets you remove it by going counter-clockwise. While this sounds like a straightforward process, you've got to be real sure not to get any metal shavings in the cylinder head. Pistons and valves just hate that stuff. The Heli Coil itself is a little spiral metal thing that screws and self-taps into the cylinder head. Two problems here: first, you have to make damn sure that you are putting this thing in straight. Don't want a crooked plug. Second, you're tapping into the cylinder head and there's still the danger of dropping metal filings in there. Oh yeah, a third problem: there's a little tab you must break off after the heli coil is inserted. Most of the time that drops into the cylinder head.

The Time-Sert is a solid insert and uses a different process it can be viewed here. http://www.timesert.com/html/sparkplug.html I'd recommend drying out the inside of the cylinder and top of the piston with a good blast or two of compressed air. That way, if something falls in there it won't be stuck to the gunk inside. Might want to make sure this piston is on the downstroke so that the valves are closed. Don't want that compressed air sending junk their way. Me? I'd take it somewhere and let them worry about it. But then, I've had my turn living on the wild side. Good luck.