I should have asked this a long time ago. On my 86 SE that is a nice lawn ornament. I decided not to give completely up on the tired old engine. It has a dead cylinder because some genious decided to tighten a spark plug to far. The spark plug fouled and you can't get a socket on it. Can I break the spark plug in half and use a screw extractor bit on it? This would be nearly impossible to do though as it is on the backside of the engine. I am thinking about buying a right angle adapter to get the bugger out. Any other ideals? The engine doesn't start still, but I am beginning to suspect the fuel pump.

One more question. Is there a way to hook an LED to the ECM connector to get the codes? My dash has electrical problems and the check engine light does not work. Thanks for the help.

quote Originally posted by dennis_6: I should have asked this a long time ago. On my 86 SE that is a nice lawn ornament. I decided not to give completely up on the tired old engine. It has a dead cylinder because some genious decided to tighten a spark plug to far. The spark plug fouled and you can't get a socket on it. Can I break the spark plug in half and use a screw extractor bit on it? This would be nearly impossible to do though as it is on the backside of the engine. I am thinking about buying a right angle adapter to get the bugger out. Any other ideals? The engine doesn't start still, but I am beginning to suspect the fuel pump.

Dennis_6,

Is there a reason that you refused to 'give up' on that engine? Have you done a compression check on it yet? That would reveal a lot before you waste your time removing that plug!
About the subject of your idea of breaking the plug and using an easy out is on line. You can gain a little more access to the plug if you remove the rear cradle bolts, dogbone and jack the car up. This will allow the engine/drive train assembly to swing down a give more access room to the front bank.
Can you hear the fuel pump running when the key is turned on? Checked the relay?

quote Originally posted by dennis_6: One more question. Is there a way to hook an LED to the ECM connector to get the codes? My dash has electrical problems and the check engine light does not work. Thanks for the help.

No way that I know of with that method. You may be able to place a light in place between the lead from the ECM to the dash. Cut the wires between the two and isolate the dash area. If you still unable to retrieve any codes, BAD ECM!

Just a gut feeling that the problem is very minor. Have not done compresion yet. But I am pretty sure it is the fuel pump. I loosened the schrader valve assembly nut to where it could be removed by hand.
I then turned on the ignition and quickly loosened the schrader valve assembly. The whole thing. Gas just barely oozed out. Very little pressure. So I think my fuel pump is shot and that caused my engine not to start.

How hard would it be to pull the rear head once the intake manifold is removed? Also how much pressure should the fuel system have once the ignition is on?

Bump

I had a plug break off in a 3.0 once. Fortunately it was on the front (accessable) side. I ended up blowing the broken portion of the plug out with a cutting torch, then chasing the threads with a tool I got from AutoZone. I crossed my fingers when I started the car for fear that the debris in the cyl could cause problems. The car is still running after 2 years. I think I was really lucky! If you can't get at it to see what your dealing with, you will have to pull the head or the entire motor. Not a big deal to get the head off after removing the intake depending on your skill level. Fuel pressure should be between 40 and 47 psi for the MPFI V-6.
Good luck.

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White '85 4cyl coupe
Black '86 v-6 SE
'81 CB900F Super Sport

[This message has been edited by SKIDMARK (edited 10-24-2001).]

Thanks Skidmark.
Do you know what the fuel pressure should be at with just ign. switch turned and the engine off?

40.5-47 psi, according to Haynes, during the two seconds it runs when you first turn on the key. Should only drop slightly when the pump stops running.

Thanks maryjane.
Something is wrong with my fuel pressure.