I posted about this in a earlier topic along with something else but i still have not resolved this yet. For some reason my Cylinder #4 Spark plug boot keeps shooting off of the sparkplug. At first it was only if i got on it but now it does it with even normal driving. Ive asked a few of my friends and even my mechanic but they are kind of clueless. Does anyone have any idea of what is causing this and how to fix it. Im afraid it might **** something else up later if i dont get it fixed asap.

Thanks,
James

 

I would think getting a new plug wire would be the easiest fix, no?

 

hey brother, i'm sorry you're having problems. I have a crazy theory that may explain it. If you cross threaded your #4 sparkplug, it could allow air to push up through the spark plug bung and push out the boot. I'm not saying that you did, but its definitely possible. I can't think of anything else unless the wire is too tight and pulling itself out, or the boot is too loose around the spark plug and the spark is "blowing" the boot off.. That seems improbable however. I hope that helps brother

 

Thanks guys I will try. The sparkplugs and wires are all replaced when i had a tune up done a few months ago. But i will get new wires and see if that helps at all. Thanks,

 

oh_what_up, i dont think he would be able to cross thread the spark plug, they are so fragile i think they would just shatter after putting so much force trying to put them on..

 

Trust me its possible. Its only an aluminum head. I remember taking my buddy to a machine shop to drill and tap his head because he stripped the threads. The spark plugs would actually move around in the head. Thats why i thought it was possible that under boost it could blow the spark plug boot off.

 

I dont think i cross threaded it, but anything is possible. I will try new wires first and if that doesnt solve anything i will take it to the mechanic and have him take another look.

 

I don't think you did either. I was just trying to come up with some feasible reason. Either way good luck brother. I know how frustrating it is when some little thing just isn't working right.

 

I just started having the same trouble with the #1 on my Montero. I suspect gas is escaping through the plug threads, somehow, because it is definitely pressure building up under the boot and blowing it off. I can't think of any other way pressure would build up in there other than through the plug threads.


It has been at least 4 years since I've replaced the plugs, so I'm about due to replace them again. Hasn't been a problem until now, and I know I torqued all the plugs last time to spec. Very strange.


I'll follow up after I tear it down.

 

Engine oil had been seeping through the seal on the valve cover, into the plug tube/channel.
After putting a socket+extension on the plug, I was able to begin loosening the plug by hand, without the ratchet. Definitely, not good. It wasn't loose like I could spin it with my finger, but with both hands on the socket extension, I was able to slowly turn it.


Upon removal of the plug, the top 50% of the threads were coated pretty evenly in oil. The lower 50% were dry and the tip of the plug itself looked fine. If I can post a photo later, I will.


The other tubes on the right bank showed no sign of oil leakage.


I am going to replace both valve cover gaskets, plugs, wires, and the spark plug tube seals (when I can find them).


It may or may not be worth noting that I use a 0W-30 Synthetic oil. I suspect the synthetic properties of the oil may have contributed to the loosening of the plug, whereas regular oil might have simply collected in the tube and not seeped into the microscopic cracks in the plug seal and the cyl head. It's a stretch, but it seems plausible to me.