Has anyone done this? My 2000 DX 1.6L spark plug socket has been damaged and can't hold the plug. Checker and Autozone has rethread kits but the tool is too short to reach the socket. Any suggestion? I saw another rethread tool on the web that is 6" long. Has anyone used this? Thanks.

 

By "socket" I assume that you mean the threaded hole in the engine head. If I were to do this, I would pull the head off of the engine, and go at it from the combustion chamber side. As you mentioned, most tools are too short to approach it from the top. And, I would not want the metal chips which will result from the threading job to end up in my combustion chamber. Little metal chips are a recipe for disaster, as they are likely to become pre-ignition hot spots on top of your piston, exhaust valve, etc. Also, they can get packed into the valve seats, oxidize and become hard little nuggets that can scratch up the cylinder liner, etc. So, you can see that you don't want them in your running engine.

IMO, the best way to do it is pull the head, and when done, remove any burrs with a nail file, blow off any chips with compressed air (or wipe gently with a soft rag), and reassemble with care. If you do pull the head, please remember that gasket surfaces and combustion chamber walls ought to be treated as if they are made of fine china. These are not surfaces that you want to scratch or ding.

 

However, my skill level is only up to openning the engine cover. The Pepboys guy said maybe a machine/automobile shop could take the head out, rethread, for around $200, just like what you suggest.

 

yup, you could also try a heli-coil but unless you're familiar with them I'd just pay to have a pro do it.