VTR Engine Popping Sounds

1. iVTR Established Member Joined: May 2012 Posts: 1355 Mk2 Silver VTR

   #1 11th July 2013, 13:16

   Alright lads, my 03' Saxo VTR has just started to make a popping noise coming from the engine..
   
   It sounds like a bit of a tracktor as it turns over pop pop pop pop... sort of like an air noise?
   
   I'm really hoping someone is going to suggest the spark plugs have come loose as I think I've had this before.. is it hard to tighten them up and will I need any special tools?
   
   Failing that am I doing any harm driving with it popping / loose spark plugs for a couple of days?
   
   Really appreciate any advice or suggestions..
   
   Cheers,
   
2. user_58812 Infrequent Poster Joined: Apr 2012 Newbury (Berkshire) Posts: 154 Vtr conversion + Vts conversion

   #2 11th July 2013, 13:28

   To tighten spark plugs, you'll need a deep socket, not sure what size it is but it's a easy job, just undo 2 nuts that hold the coil pack down, pull it off and you can get to the plugs
3. Gandi699 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 9100 Amazon green VTR 16v, Inferno RS clio 182

   #3 11th July 2013, 13:54

   yeah loose spark plugs are not good, afte rall they have to withstand compression forces and could rip out taking the threads out of the head too if they are loose
4. Hazmanscoop Established Member Joined: Oct 2008 Witney Posts: 2481 Black VTS

   #4 11th July 2013, 14:20

   Yep popping is the spark plugs...
   
   Mine decided to pop out on my way home from liverpool (3 Hour drive) and i had to get a helicoil insert as it decided to take the thread as well.
   
   Might be worth buying some locktite as well
5. Gandi699 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 9100 Amazon green VTR 16v, Inferno RS clio 182

   #5 11th July 2013, 14:34

   torque then up to specs, I always try and add a bit of copper slip to the threads first.
   Wouldnt be using thread lock unless its a get you home measure, otherwise its helicoil time or a new head as chances are the threads in the head will be fucked
6. iVTR Established Member Joined: May 2012 Posts: 1355 Mk2 Silver VTR

   #6 11th July 2013, 14:40

   Cheers lads, I'll attempt tightening them when I'm home and hopefully everything will be sorted..
   
   
7. Gandi699 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 9100 Amazon green VTR 16v, Inferno RS clio 182

   #7 11th July 2013, 14:42

   Dont over tighten them though, you'll feel it when they are tight enough
8. user_10418 Saxperience Addict Joined: Jun 2006 Wirral Posts: 13584 Wickerd red VTS MK2, Two tone VTS MK2,vvc Metro..

   #8 11th July 2013, 15:04

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Gandi699 Dont over tighten them though, you'll feel it when they are tight enough

   Totaly agree!! you wil no when there tight enough,seen fer few people over tightd and "snapp"
9. Gandi699 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 9100 Amazon green VTR 16v, Inferno RS clio 182

   #9 11th July 2013, 15:12

   Done it myself on a K series and the plug just spins past the tight point over and over. Not fun!
10. user_10418 Saxperience Addict Joined: Jun 2006 Wirral Posts: 13584 Wickerd red VTS MK2, Two tone VTS MK2,vvc Metro..

    #10 11th July 2013, 15:14

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Gandi699 Done it myself on a K series and the plug just spins past the tight point over and over. Not fun!

    Realy leaves you feeling sick,no the feeling..
11. user_58812 Infrequent Poster Joined: Apr 2012 Newbury (Berkshire) Posts: 154 Vtr conversion + Vts conversion

    #11 11th July 2013, 17:58

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Gandi699 Done it myself on a K series and the plug just spins past the tight point over and over. Not fun!

    Might aswell leaving them off on a K series, the heads gunna be coming off for a new gasket soon enough! haha..
12. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

    #12 11th July 2013, 18:00

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Gandi699 Done it myself on a K series and the plug just spins past the tight point over and over. Not fun!

    Did this on a metro & ended up cracking the ceramic part of the plug.
13. Gandi699 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 9100 Amazon green VTR 16v, Inferno RS clio 182

    #13 11th July 2013, 18:04

    Wouldn't have though the soft Ali threads would take that kind of punishment over breaking the plug!
14. Gandi699 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 9100 Amazon green VTR 16v, Inferno RS clio 182

    #14 11th July 2013, 18:05

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Jimbob56789 Might aswell leaving them off on a K series, the heads gunna be coming off for a new gasket soon enough! haha..

    I'd just done the gasket and put the plugs back for first run up. Majorly pissed off
15. iVTR Established Member Joined: May 2012 Posts: 1355 Mk2 Silver VTR

    #15 12th July 2013, 12:35

    Cheers lads, one was majorly loose and now all tightened noise has disappeared.
    
    On another note she flew through her MOT the other day no advisories, having done another 18k miles since last years! :o
    
    What a beast, cheap motoring at it's best.
    
    
16. Mickswan Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Apr 2013 Jarrow Posts: 4022 2003 Icelandic Grey 16v VTR 1991 Daihatsu GTti

    #16 12th July 2013, 13:44

    Happy days