Spark plug stuck, no power

[joej9]

Hi,
First off my car is a mk2 ph2 1.2 16v 02.
The past few weeks the car has been running terribly. Every time I put my foot down nothing happens(no jokes about it being a 1.2). It slowly picks up speed, nothing like it used to be. This seems to be more apparent in 3rd gear. It can also be very jerking at times also.
Idling is fine and it seems to start fine.
Looking on here I decided to change the plugs. I took the fourth ht lead out with didn't seem like it was in properly. I then tried taking the spark plug out but when I put the socket down it wouldn't sit flat in like the others did. I tried unscrewing it but it was just spinning. Looking down the gap it looks like there's something down around the plug. Looks clear. Anyone had this before? Could this be the root of my problems?
Apologies if the spelling/grammar is poor I'm on my phone. Any questions ask.
Thanks, John.

 

[James23]

Take a pic of of what's down the spark plug hole and post it up

 

[joej9]

Ok I'll get one on tomorrow mate. It feels rubbery when the socket is pushed down on it.

 

[Daniel]

HT lead has probably broken and there's bits left on the plug.

You'll need a pair of very long nose pliers.

 

[joej9]

Can't see any problems with the ht leads tbh. There still going to get changed though. just wondering if it could be anything serious tbh.

 

[James23]

Sounds like it might be the innards of someone's spark plug socket.
As above - very long nosed pliers to get it out. or a hoover. I've even used a wire coat hanger before!

 

[joej9]

Thats what my mate was thinking it could be as well. Is there actually long nose pliers long enough to get down that gap? Lol I'll give the coat hanger a try tomorrow.
Cheers.

 

[James23]

yep

Might take you a few goes with a few adjustments to the coathanger but you should be able to get it

 

[joej9]

I'll give it a go. Does it just sounds like knackered spark plugs anyway? Read somewhere it could be the lambda sensor?

 

[James23]

The symptoms you have described do sound like it's running on 3 cylinders - coupled with the fact that 1 ht lead wasn't on properly and you've found an object in the spark plug hole... I'd sort that out then see if it's ok.

 

[joej9]

Ok mate thanks for your help. Will post updates when I can.

 

[joej9]

Little update. Tried again tonight and no luck. Tried to vacuum down the gap but nothing. Also tried the coat hanger but no luck with that. I'm a bit useless tbh lol think I'm goin to have to get some very long nose pliers.

 

[ben lee]

had it before on the ford pushrod engines here the plug bot faces brake loose from the plug thread.
also where people have somehow cross threaded the plug or fitted the wrong plugs so the socket dont fit

 

[joej9]

Did you ever manage to get it out?

 

[ben lee]

yeah on the fords but they are not down a hole so will be harder to remove on the clio

 

[MicKPM]

James23 has hit the proverbial nail on the head... it'll most likely be running on 3 because the plug lead isn't making contact with the plug.

I've seen this a few times before now and its always the D7F/D4F cheap coilpacks that do it. It'll be the remains of an old plug lead end cap stuck on the plug and they're a proper pain to get off as the plug wells are seriously small so you can't get anything decent in there to grip the bugger with. One tool I have for getting these out is a very long wood working braddle which, if they're rubber end caps or soft-ish plastic, you can stab the bugger with and extract it that way. In most cases though you won't have something like this laying around so you *may* have to destroy the plug by hammering the deep socket over the top but be carefull doing this as you still need to get the old plug out. Also, be sure you've sucked out any and all ceramics with a hoover *BEFORE* you remove the thread and expose the bore as that stuff inside the cylinder is a problem you really don't want!

Mick

 

[joej9]

the last coil pack i got was off ebay but it was from a renault seller who did say it was a genuine part. think i may of been fleeced. i've managed to get the plug so far up the gap but i cant get it no further. i don't think i have the bottle to hammer the socket over the plug tbh in case i do get anything in the cylinder. may take it to renault specialist or if there is someone on here who could lend a helping hand it would be greatly appreciated. thanks everyone.

 

[JamesWilson]

Could you not use a fishing baiting needle, boyes proper cheap!

 

[James105]

Had this on my old clio and ended up using a coat hanger. Bent the very end, say 5mm, 180 degree's, so its facing up. then push it down the side of what is stuck down there and then pull it up. The hanger should hook in and pull the offending item up. good luck with it, you will get it eventually.

 

[joej9]

Heres a pic I got earlier. No the best but only had my iPhone to use.

 

[joej9]

Does that look like the problem everyone else is suggesting then?

 

[Simon@SprayShack]

Yep to me that looks like the cap thats supposed to be inside the HT lead is stuck on the top of plug. Just need to pull it off as advised earlier with plyers, difficult to see front piccy but the nut looks a little rounded to me....but i maybe be talking pants.

 

[M@tt_182]

I also had this problem on my 1.2 Clio, the local garage ended up using the air line they use for guns and managed to blow the plastic/rubber out. I then fitted a new coil pack and it started to run spot on again.

 

[joej9]

Ok thanks for your replies. I think I'll take it to my local garage and see if e can get it out without dropping stuff down the cylinder lol matt where did you get your coil pack? Renault?

 

[M@tt_182]

Cheapo one off eBay from The Renault Centre, it was around £30. Also came with a 12 month warranty, it's been ok for 3 months and as it's a run around it doesn't get blessed with genuine parts.

 

[joej9]

That's the same one as I bought about a year ago. Think it's time for a new genuine one come pay day