In-car removal of cylinder head 2007 5.4 Expy 3v

[Mike Expy Poland]

Hi folks,

So unfortunately to me I got electrode ground shield with some remaining electrode piece and porcelain inside 3rd cylinder, lying down somewhere on a piston. In coming days I'll get a penetrating camera, get through spark plug hole inside and see where it is. I don't see it anymore. And no, I didn't crank the engine, so I'm sure it's there.

It sucks a big time of course, because I might need to remove cylinder head to fish it out..

Judging from space, if I dismantle front of the car, remove right tire, I should be able to do the job in car, without pulling out engine. Does it make sense to lower the engine a bit? It seems that with the tire removed I would not need to do it as I'll have sufficient access to RH exhaust manifold?

Did anyone of you try fishing out the electrode shield by removing intake manifold, pushing down the piston in cylinder in question, and then trying to get inside through the intake? How much space there is? Does the intake valve on the cylinder move enough to let me get with a small grasper inside? Or perhaps the exhaust one?

A small vacuum pipe? or blow it out perhaps, removing exhaust manifold, getting with a small blower through intake manifold?

Many thanks for ideas, experience, much appreciated!

 

[Yupster Dog]

Judging from space, if I dismantle front of the car, remove right tire, I should be able to do the job in car, without pulling out engine. Does it make sense to lower the engine a bit? It seems that with the tire removed I would not need to do it as I'll have sufficient access to RH exhaust manifold?

No need to dismantle your engine, you can get the job done thru the sparkplug hole.
Get your bore camera and one of these lighted grabbers anything else that is to small for the grabber you can blow out with a compressed air nozzle.
https://www.amazon.com/General-Tool...ds=telescoping+grabber&qid=1614771496&sr=8-39

 

[1oldtimer]

No need to dismantle your engine, you can get the job done thru the sparkplug hole.
Get your bore camera and one of these lighted grabbers anything else that is to small for the grabber you can blow out with a compressed air nozzle.
https://www.amazon.com/General-Tool...ds=telescoping+grabber&qid=1614771496&sr=8-39

Yup, exactly what I was going to suggest.
But I’ve never seen the lighted grabber. Got one ordered. No doubt it’ll come in handy.

 

[Motorcity muscle]

Could also use a magnet to fish it out, maybe add some air pressure to get piece moving around so magnet can get a hold of it.

 

[JamaicaJoe]

I would do all of the above, scope , magnet, compressed air, vacuum, scope, repeat.. before removing a cylinder head.

I don't know about moving valves and pistons. Tried to find TDC on an MG1100 once. Using a BIC pen. Broke off some small bit of plastic. Figured it would blow out the exhaust. It got caught in the valve seat. I had to remove the head. Very annoying.

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[Mike Expy Poland]

No need to dismantle your engine, you can get the job done thru the sparkplug hole.
Get your bore camera and one of these lighted grabbers anything else that is to small for the grabber you can blow out with a compressed air nozzle

Thanks. I tried with small grabbers, but its head was too long (and not flexible) to move through the spark plug hole while the piston position is quite high.

I will need to manually move the crank, so I guess I need to undo the 7 other plugs and coils to turn it.. Would I need a lever or without sparks in holes (therefore no compression) it's doable just with hand?

 

[07navi]

Blow it out with about 120 PSI. Get the exhaust valve fully open first. Put a metal tube down inside the plug hole though. A thin tube in case it comes out the plug hole.

 

[Boostedbus]

I would try to rig up a small vacuum hose hooked to a vacuum cleaner with a fresh bag in it. I would like to know for sure I got all the missing pieces to compare with the broken plug. You should be able to move the vacuum hose around in the cylinder through the spark plug hole.

 

[JamaicaJoe]

I would be careful turning it because you don't know if the crank is on the up stroke or downstroke. Can you vacuum all the small abrasive bits out somehow first?

Assuming the valves are closed you might be able to push the affected piston down with compressed air. Don't let any junk blow into the intake manifold!

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[JamaicaJoe]

I would try to rig up a small vacuum hose hooked to a vacuum cleaner with a fresh bag in it. I would like to know for sure I got all the missing pieces to compare with the broken plug. You should be able to move the vacuum hose around in the cylinder through the spark plug hole.

Some clear plastic hose connected to a filter and powerful vacuum. May be able to not only suck up small bits but lift out the larger ones.

Please stuff/cover the other 7 holes with rags or something!



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[Yupster Dog]

Thanks. I tried with small grabbers, but its head was too long (and not flexible) to move through the spark plug hole while the piston position is quite high.

I will need to manually move the crank, so I guess I need to undo the 7 other plugs and coils to turn it.. Would I need a lever or without sparks in holes (therefore no compression) it's doable just with hand?

Use a piece of wire to rake the big piece under the sparkplug hole then use the grabber W/light to get out.( this will take a few tries but you can get it)
Then blow out with compressed air. You can put a breaker bar on the crankshaft and turn the engine without having to remove other sparkplugs just the serpentine belt. Get the piston lowered to inspect with borescope to make sure you got everything.
You can try the vacuum if you want to waist your time. (no disrespect intended to members who suggested) Anything you get down the hole will not have enough suction to pull little pieces from laying beside the piston on the rings. (done it, did it, been there, done that)
You just need air nozzle that can fit down in the cylinder and you will blow everything to small to get with the grabber out.