Spark plug blown out...update!!

This evening we removed the coil pack and found the problem I talked about in a previous thread. The stem on the coil pack was obliterated, and only about an inch remained. The solid part of the stem was in there, but bent badly. The spark plug was intact, but when we tried putting in another plug, we discovered the treads are no longer there. So now I guess I have 2 options; replacing the head, or try the Heli Coil method. Any suggestions? I just hope nothing got down in my cylinder.

I failed to mention that the plugs were Bosch Platinum. I've put 35,000+ miles on the truck since I've had it, and this is my first problem. It's a 2004, 3.4L. DO you think its possible the last person to put these plugs in may had cross threaded this plug, causing it to get wobbly, thus pulling the threads?

Update:

I had my Tacoma towed to and repaired at a reputable garage, and the engine sounds better than before. The ticking thats been going on for months, which I attributed to valves, is gone. Not sure if the plug wire(s) were arcing somewhere, or if the noise was in the plugs. Either way, I'm glad its back on the road.

New Coil: $73
Plugs & wires: $60
Towing $20
Heli-Coil & Labor: $132.00
Total $285.00 ouch!!!

 

I wouldn't be surprised if it was already a helicoil in there that blew out. I would get a new head because fixing things properly will save you later on.

 

How did this happen in the first place??? OP you mention another thread, if the story's in there can you link it?

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/333573-coil-pack-worse.html

 

going back to 2012, this only validates it probably was a spiffed up used engine, and who knows whether the head was messed up with the last spark plug change, or if someone just tightened the heck out it, stretching and weakening the threads to eventual failure....

 

I had a Ford 5.4 motor do this recently.
After a lot of research, found out it had to do with over torqueing the spark plugs when they were changed. That's a Ford anyway......

 

I had the same thing happen to me last summer, it was probably caused by overtorqueing (my fault). I cleaned everything out of the cylinder as best I could using a shop vac with a very small crevice tool attachment, then stuffed a clean rag down on top of the piston to catch any further debris as I installed the helicoil. So far it's given me no problems, I haven't pulled that spark plug back out since re-installing it though.

 

LOL different magnitude of a problem with the Ford. They are jokingly called 2-piece spark plugs, notorious for leaving the bottom piece in the head when removing...

 

Ford had multiple problems with plugs. Older ones had plugs blow out of the head due to not enough threads and NOT being torqued tight enough. Then the 2 piece plug debacle like you mention... Not sure now, I dumped em and stopped following if anymore issues still exist.

 

Had a buddy's 2.7 do the same thing about 4 yrs ago with 150k. Sent him to a mechanic that has done a lot of Ford 5.4 fixes using the special tool to fix this, not just a helicoil. He has had zero problems and another 60k on it. Cost him $150 to fix.

 

I had my Tacoma repaired at a reputable garage, and the engine sounds better than before. The ticking thats been going on for months, which I attributed to valves, is gone. Not sure if the plug wire(s) were arcing somewhere, or if the noise was in the plugs. Either way, I'm glad its back on the road.

New Coil: $73
Plugs & wires: $60
Towing $20
Heli-Coil & Labor: $132.00
Total $285.00 ouch!!!