Steam Powered Misfire

[kv100]

Hi all, I have an unusual problem on my 1.4 Fusion Zetec. It started out as a misfire. When I plugged in the scanner, it came up with misfire cylinder 4. After investigating this, it seems that the problem is steam, escaping from an allen key bolt on the cylinder head between cylinders 3 & 4. The bolt is in the middle of cylinders 3 & 4, goes in the same direction as the plugs and seem to be a blanking plug for the water jacket. Has anyone come across this before and can I take this plug out to seal with PTFE? The picture shows the bolt as viewed looking down plug number 4 towards plug number 3. Sorry its not very clear.

Cheers, Paul

[btmaldon]

Thats a core plug that is leaking. They can be a bit of a pain to undo, but they just screw out. You need to buy a new one and replace it.

[kv100]

Ta for the info. I did manage to get it out eventually, it took all my sixteen stone swinging on the strong arm with a 14mm impact allen key. I cleaned up the threads with a wire brush, (both internal & external) wrapped the plug threads with a generous helping of PTFE tape, & screwed it back in. I couldn't torque it up as my torque wrench doesn't go that high. I swung on the strong arm instead and it seems to be working fine now. Thanks again for the info.

[btmaldon]

Pleased you got it sorted. Sounds like you got a bit of excersize in the process.