imported_Moe_Mentum

Hey Guys

My friend is in need of some serious help with his 2004 SI. I was helping him change his spark plugs and he forgot to put in the final plug and he tried to start the engine. The engine made a terrible noise but it started, but was stutering. At the time I didn't know that the plug was was missing so I double checked all four and the last one was missing, but I also noticed that the inner spark plug rubber O-ring was missing and I could see a bit of oil. I am trying to convince him not to start the car since the rubber O-ring is probably within the cylinder head. Can anyone suggest what to do? I think he should get it towed. What is the worst case scenario for starting a car missing one spark plug?

imported_SilverSleeper

Flooded the cylinder for sure...Beyond that I don't know.

Cynikal.Mindset

I'm not familiar with the new motors but generally there is next to no harm starting a car with a plug missing there just wont be any compression in that cylinder...what o-ring is missing? and where is oil coming from?

but how do u forget to put in the last plug?

imported_Moe_Mentum

well the oil didn't seap everywhere or anything we shut it off almost right away. There was a little trickle of oil but it never reacher the spark plug.

http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto/jsp/mws/catimgs/14s5a401_e09.gif

It missing #6 in this picture.

imported_Moe_Mentum

I couldn't tell you, I guess he was over anxious. the oil is coming from the top of the spark plug tube where the spark plug seal is missing. I know if I start it she'll run, I am just worried of damaging components because I am sure that rubber ring is floating around in the cyclinder head.

Cynikal.Mindset

the sparkplug tube seal? how did that go missing? did u have the valve cover off or something?

imported_Moe_Mentum

nope I am wondering if maybe it was missing before but I can't be for sure. And he definetly did not take the valve cover off. I don't think its ever been taken off yet

chris_si98

its safe to drive.. just dont be stupid

and even easier to replace.

imported_Moe_Mentum

I hope so... but Chris what do you think about the rubber seal being inside the cylinder head? It had to have gone somewhere right?

Cynikal.Mindset

if that seal aint there oil is gonna be all over the plug and the car is gonna run like crap cuz the spark is gonna be all over the place or not even make it through all that oil...that seal must be there, they just dont go missing

chris_si98

when you pulled the plug out intially was there oil on it?

chris_si98

or why not just take the valve cover off? its not hard at all. Just dont tighten the bolts tight.. you can snugg them up and it'll be fine

imported_Moe_Mentum

THat's what I am saying, they don't just go missing. But maybe somehow by him not putting in the plug there it shot it and it fell into the cylinder head. I would take the valve cover off but I don't have a torque wrench, plus no point of taking it off since I don't have the O-ring to replace the missing one. He told me there was no oil when he first changed them, but wasn't sure if it was missing when he removed the old ones. Anyway we did start the car and it runs fine, but he is still going to get it replaced and have them check the cylinder head for the missing o-rin. Just hope he makes it there OK.

chris_si98

how do you even know its missing? it could be there.. just ripped a bit

imported_Moe_Mentum

Cause with the 2005 SI you can actually see the rubber O-Ring when you take off the spark plug boot. I'll let you guys know what happened when he takes it in.