01 Eclipse - Spark Plug broke - fell in motor
 

Hi there,

Hoping you can help with this problem on my Eclipse!

I was driving at highway speeds when I felt my car shudder and the "Service Engine" light lit up. The car continued to shake, becoming worse while stopped at stoplights.

I had it towed to the mechanic, where they determined that the ground electrode (L-shaped bracket) at the bottom of a spark plug had corroded/fallen off, and also the round tip had fallen in the engine. A compression test expelled nothing, so they had to open up the engine and find the broken-off parts.

This was an expensive repair, and I would like to know who to blame (if anyone)

Two notes:

1. I had taken the car in about a month ago to have the timing belt replaced at 76,000 miles. Could a this have contributed to the problem? (i.e. overheating/bad timing because of a poor installation)

2. My last tune-up (replaced plugs) was in Sept 2003 at 45,000 miles. No problems until this.

Thanks!

RE: 01 Eclipse - Spark Plug broke - fell in motor
 

Plugs can last 100Kmi.

They don't "corrode" (like rust) or fall apart.

Timing would have to be off enough to cause excessive pinging to destroy a plug.

Do you hear pinging ?

Your plug is burning up .

Too hot a spark ?

Too much boost over a long period of time ?

Try pulling the plug out after 10Kmi. and look at it. Is it degrading ?

Did the mechanic inspect the condition of your rings ?

A good vaccuum hose should suck metal pieces out of a cylinder.

Just some thoughts.



DT