How to get broken ignition coil pieces out of the spark plug tube
Bits of a shattered ignition coil can fall down into the spark plug cavity, risking serious internal damage if they drop further. While people try various suction and retrieval methods to clear the chamber, the presence of the spark plug itself can sometimes block debris from entering the engine cylinder.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Using long needle nose pliers, flexible grabber tools with a claw, or a pick tool to fish out remaining debris
- 2Shining a light into the tube to inspect for pieces
- 3Using a blast of compressed air to clear out debris
- 4Using a stick magnet and high-resolution inspection camera
- 5Leaving the piece to pass through the exhaust valve into the catalytic converter
- 6Replacing the melted ignition coil and cables entirely instead of trying to repair them.
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Was driving to work when suddenly had a noticeable loss of power as well as a flashing CEL.”source ↗
“Tried many methods to suction the combustion chamber and retrieve the missing piece of spark plug to avoid further engine damage but ultimately didn’t find anything.”source ↗
“If the rest of the old coil is in my engine, what should I do?”source ↗
“Yeah, I just ealized the plug would've had to prevent it from going into the engine. I had already removed the plug too before posting. Nothing on the plug, and the cavity looks empty.”source ↗
“So my external ignition coil had a little fight with my spark plug cables and appear to have „melted”? Is this repairable or do I need to buy new ignition coil & spark plug cable? 1980 Citation ss 368cc”source ↗
Where this came up
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