today i decided to do my own service on my car. Changed Oil + Filter. I intended on changing the spark plugs but as i popped the leads off i noticed a whole load of coolant sitting above the spark plug. I only inspected spark plug 1. Cautious about causing more problems, i opted to leave the spark plugs for today untill i can have someone qualified to look at it. So once all servicing was complete and i started the engine the engine seemed to be missing slightly (missing on one cylinder )and EM light flicked on. I took another look at all of the spark plugs this time checking all spark plug wells. When i restarted engine it began to run even lumpier than before. (Seems like its missing on all cylinders now).

 

Im thinking that each spark plug i inspected, as i put them back, has caused water to sit between the spark plug and leads. As the problem i have has only occurred after the plugs where taken out and inspected. Have owned the car for 6 months and today is the first time ive actually inspected the plugs. As opposed to before inspection water was sitting outside of the lead and plug). So basically as ive removed the leads ive caused water to touch the actual spark plug (which i believe has caused my misfire)????

 

can anyone shed some light on this situation. My knowledge of cars is very basic.

 

1. What caused coolant to enter the spark plug well? Isit bad news?

2. Have I done damage to the engine by inspecting the plugs? Or was this a problem that was bound to happen one day.

3. Will it be ok to drive to the garage (5mins drive from my house) or will i cause more damage?

4.  Any other ideas of what i can donto solve this problem

 

Literally only bought the car for runabout, just thought i would give it a service myself. Wish I had left it now and i wouldnt be in this situation lol. Any help would be greatly apprecieted.

 

thank you, K

Is it definetely coolant and not just water? If it's coolant, your core plugs need replaced. If it's just water it'll be from the washer jets, in which case they'll need sealed. If you drive it to a garage make sure you have refilled the coolant and take a container of water with you as you might need to top it up on the way!

Ok thank you for your reply. Excuse me from sounding like a noob but by core plugs do you mean my spark plugs lool. It seems to be pinkyy antifreeze. Also as i removed plug antifreeze spalshed on my hand and was very hot. So definitely coolant i beleive. 

Will removing the plug itself cause engine damage? If the coolant falls into engine? Or will it need to be vacumed out? Once again, excuse me for sounding a noob lol.

 

thank you

Don't pull any of the plugs until you have sooked the water out or dried it up with tags or kitchen roll or something.

sounds like a core plug to me, which as you look down into your spark plugs you will see round disc like parts.