# Spark plug blows off Honda Civic

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/spark-plug-blows-off-honda-civic/35484>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** sparkplugs, plug, civic, honda\
**Created:** [August 23, 2009, 8:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/spark-plug-blows-off-honda-civic/35484 "2009-08-23T20:54:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![geg1633](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ccd318/32.png) [@geg1633](https://community.cartalk.com/u/geg1633)\
**Post date:** [August 23, 2009, 8:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/spark-plug-blows-off-honda-civic/35484/1 "2009-08-23T20:54:51Z")

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Hello,  
  
 I have a Honda Civic DX, 1999. I was driving at ~20-30 mph, and heard a big noise and rattle. I open the hood and whoof comes the spark plug, flying in the air.  
  
  
  
 I was wondering why it blew off and if I should “just replace” it or go to a mechanic.  
  
  
  
 Thanks!

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**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\
**Post date:** [August 23, 2009, 9:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/spark-plug-blows-off-honda-civic/35484/2 "2009-08-23T21:14:11Z")

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Maybe it was not tightened properly and it unscrewed itself. Very likely damaged the threads when it got loose enough to blow out. Take it to the mechanic.

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**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\
**Post date:** [August 23, 2009, 9:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/spark-plug-blows-off-honda-civic/35484/3 "2009-08-23T21:18:32Z")

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Who changed the spark plugs previously?  
Either too loose or too tight could have caused this with the latter likely leading to stripped threads.  
Inspect the plug threads for aluminum and the cylinder head plug hole for damaged threads.

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**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\
**Post date:** [August 23, 2009, 9:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/spark-plug-blows-off-honda-civic/35484/4 "2009-08-23T21:39:47Z")

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The spark plug was probably not properly torqued to specification. If you replace it, carefully check the threads, tighten it by hand first, and use a good torque wrench to make sure it is properly torqued in place.