Shoddy Work Causes Major Damage!!

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[@jamescapodanno1861]

kenny, I was a mechanic for 21 years,I have seen the seen the same stuff.I admire a man who wants to repair cars the right way.Keep up the good work Ken.

[@Mustangg16]

Every single youtube mechanic complains about work from other mechanics. And I'll bet some other mechanic complains about work the complainee complains about lol

[@MayorofDipshittery-lq7if]

Mr Backstreet No Clue Mechanic will deny all liability and say it was fine when it left his butchers cave 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

[@lowbudgetbob1155]

When I worked for the school district we had some GMC chassis buses with the 6.0 in them. We have had issues with plugs galling threads and were able to use a tap to clean the threads up. We greased the tap to catch any shavings and the grease helps with the tap cutting back in the threads. Might be worth a try, you could also remove the engine mount bolts and jack the engine up for some extra room on the one side. I commented before the end of the video...that head has to come off and those suck to remove.

[@jthonn]

Good advice Bob, I'm just curious of what's up with that plug. Did they goof those threads too and try to glue or seal that thing with something, it is a mystery, and I hope we get to find out.

[@glennfields8121]

I certainly don't envy you brother Kenny. You must be a very patient and persistent man. Those are good qualities to have in your line of work, especially as technology increases. It is clear to me that the manufacturer doesn't care or they would engineer access and consider eventual repair needs before shoving it out the door. I commend you on a job well done Little Kenny!

[@mikeburdi3464]

Ahhh, the famous third thread type, standard, metric, and cross 😅

[@SeanBZA]

You forgot the fourth type, almost stripped.

[@jwray9799]

the 5th type::: ARM-STRONG

[@GordonHenderson-g6y]

The 6th, picked up.

[@simonatkinson6389]

Yup! As soon as you said that first plug was tight after a couple of turns my first thought was unrepeatably rude but my second thought was that the cylinder head will need to come off to recut those threads! There are far too many useless fools out there that believe that a dirty set of overalls automatically makes them a Master Mechanic! I'm no expert and everything I've learnt is from fixing my own screwups but even I can tell when a thread isn't seated correctly and you don't power through the 'tight spots'!

[@brucemadden1626]

you may wish to first try time-sert thread :ROLLER". This is NOT a chaser or threader but actually "rolls" slightly damaged threads.

[@JohnLittlepage]

Unbelieveable! Most ls should have metal heat shields on the plug wires, you'll get it right though.

[@timkis64]

the incompetance in every field has gotten crazy over the last decade.perhaps the universities made it mandatory to graduate.

[@jthonn]

Whomever did that work should be held responsible, and have to pay to fix it. It ain't going to be a picnic pulling that head, I would talk to the customer, let them know what is happening and then do the heave - ho on that plug and try to get it out. If that fails, then try to find a set of heads and just replace them. Give them the best and worst case scenario and go from there, that is all you can do. I do believe Stevie Wonder could have done a better job. I'm not even trying to be funny. I feel your pain Kenny, having to confront a customer with this BS. Why do we always have to get the good ones Kenny?

[@rjm7168]

Really though - after explaining to the customer, why wouldn't you try to force the 2nd plug out before giving up and removing the head? If the customer already agrees to the worst outcome (new head) why not try to get it first?

[@21Piloteer]

Maybe the customer hasn't been notified just yet.

[@michaelszczys8316]

Not professional mechanic but I DO know what I'm doing and one of the hardest jobs I took on was changing heads on a friend's Chevy van. Under the doghouse with years of intense heat all the bolts on the engine were like well baked exhaust manifold bolts plus every intake manifold bolt besides being disintegrated from heat were all entirely surrounded by well baked grease that made every bolt as if it were sealed in with J-B weld. I had to chisel around every one until I could even put a wrench on them. Needless to say it took quite a bit of time. One of his friends came by and said " I'd have that off in ten minutes " I told him I would be more than happy to let him finish ( as long as I got to watch ) Then the heads he had for me to put on , it turned out ( where ever he got them from ) nice heads but someone used a grinder and brand new sander disk to clean them up. I had to take them to a shop and have them resurfaced. Amazing what some people will do.

[@cliffyb5896]

Those plug wires should have heat shields over the boots where they go over the spark plugs to protect them from the manifolds, like many gm V8's. Good thing Is it doesn't require pulling the front cover to remove the heads like a ford. Old tech for the win. These clowns give good techs a bad name.

[@1955snipes]

Nothing like fixing other peoples screw ups. I worked on aircraft for over 30 years and we sometimes would have a hack mechanic. With aircraft you can always track down the last person that did the work because of the log books that the FAA required each aircraft to have. I have seen where people have been fired because of shoddy maintenance practices. At lest with aircraft you should always have an other person look over your work be it an inspector or fellow maintenance person. If you do shoddy work it could cause an air plane to crash and possible kill them. Keep up the great work Kenny. I love watching your videos and the great knowledge you have about vehicles.

[@wendwllhickey6426]

Use anti seazes on all plugs and you never have a cross thread problem.

[@1955snipes]

@@wendwllhickey6426 just putting anti size on a plug, bolt or other threaded item does not guarantee it can't be cross threaded. Some people work very hard to cross thread and force it in no matter what.

[@n1umj]

I watch videos like this and it makes me very glad I'm smart enough to know what I don't know. I've seen this stuff but thankfully not done it myself. I can't imagine how you stay so patient, I'd be inventing new words the neighbors shouldn't hear very early on in this project. lol.

[@jthonn]

LOL, he may have and waited till he calmed down to make the video. Although he has done this stuff so long, that it is what it is.

[@michaelmartin2276]

I have seen this happen also. Many years ago I was chasing a few codes down on a f150. Turns out it was a vacuum hose rotted out across a plug boot. Good eye ! Now in my 60's I am buying cheap vehicles and repair them, clean them up and sell or donate. Many of these were a car/truck that the owner has been working on and messed up. So I have to go in and diagnose and replace /repair others mistakes. Patience my friend. Bet you go back of the shop building and cuss at the wall and bushes !

[@bobblum5973]

Kenny, I just realized that you probably use these videos as therapy, venting your frustrations as a way to help cope. Of course you also share the good things as well. Either way, we appreciate bringing us along for the ride! Take care, sir, and of course, keep wrenching! 🫡

[@kelvinrf]

Don't you wish you never touched that plug. 🤣🤣🤣

[@tonywestvirginia]

Well done my friend, Well done.

[@ivanhorban340]

Kenny, the carbon black used in black hoses is conductive. Also all plastic hoses will carbonize and conduct when an electrical arc occurs near them. Say due to dirt and moisture. Once that happens it is time to replace them.

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

Thanks for your input & watching the channel. Keep wrenching 🔧

[@TheCrofolks]

Kenny, I’ve gained more knowledge through watching your videos this past year than I could ever have imagined and hopefully will continue to grow and expand my skillset through your shared wisdom and expertise. Keep wrenching and continue inspiring, my friend 👏🏻👏🏻💯

[@67cudaksa34]

years ago, i purchased a 70 challenger that had a rebuilt 340 installed. it constantly ran rich. i changed everything i could that i thought could make an engine run rich. when i finally changed the spark plugs, the answer was clear. they had installed short reach Chevy style plugs into an engine that required long reach. And the shop that did this claimed they were one of the best in town

[@donames6941]

I worked for a shop like that and i quit the day they tryed to made me put a non-detergent oil into a brand new ford in for its first oil change boss said it is a dam old ford that it be ok i said not me goodbye

[@wallebo]

I truly feel your pain. I loathe working behind someone that doesn't know what they are doing. Oftentimes, it is more trouble than it is worth.

[@jthonn]

Indeed

[@wallebo]

Thanks. @@jthonn

[@joemuncie9187]

Wow, what a coincidence! My buddy and I were working on a Dodge Caravan today and broke a spark plug. Fortunately it only took an hour to get it out without damaging anything.

[@drdiabeetus3061]

Damn. Sorry Kenny. That’s never a good time, fixing someone else’s F-ups. Good thing you document this stuff, so the customer is in the know.

[@gillgetter3004]

I’m just a limited DIY er but I change plugs etc. Worst one I owned was a ford pick up V8 with a very small plug and broke two off😮. Getting them out was fun to say the least, they were original too. What a pain😊

[@goodcitizen64]

I had six out of eight plugs in a 2006 Ford F-150 that stripped out or broke off. It's such a nightmare and I had to remove both heads! Kenny sure does have more patience and better temperament than myself! I used to be ASE certified and worked at several dealerships but left because I refused to upsell anything. I'm so glad I'm retired now!

[@spelunkerd]

I have a back tap thread chaser kit for this very situation. Often the threads are messed up on the outside, meaning the deeper threads are still OK. The back tap kit allows one to insert a thread chaser that finds the deep correct thread alignment, and you back it out to refresh the threads on the outside. By having the kit on the shelf, there is no temptation to run a standard thread chaser in at the wrong angle.

[@AT-wl9yq]

Once you get permission to continue and possibly pull the head, don't pull it. First try an air impact on the spark plugs that won't come out. If used properly, impact is the safest way to go because the impact breaks the seized metal far better than the constant pressure of doing it manually. I would also consider using helicoils. At Ford, we use them on customer pay jobs. They work surprisingly well and you won't have to remove the head. After you're done, if you still have lean codes, try forcing an open loop condition. If the issue only occurs after the transfer, then you can rule out anything like a vacuum leak. It will either be the O2 sensors, or something that causes the O2 sensors to perform out of spec.

[@jthonn]

I'm sure Kenny has done a helicoil or 2 in his day, it is such a pain doing that kind of work on a van. So hard to get to everything, it may be easier to pull the head, maybe...

[@AT-wl9yq]

@@jthonn You don't pull the head to put a helicoil in. That's why you use the helicoil in the first place. What you think is difficult may not be for someone else.

[@jthonn]

Don't you think I know that? However, when the plug is in an area that you can't reach trying to tap the hole properly can be a problem. So in that case, you pull the head. Furthermore, if you pull the head, IMO, you just replace it, or pull both of them, send to a machine shop and do a complete valve job. That depends on if the vehicle is worth it, and doesn't have a million miles on it. Have a nice day.@@AT-wl9yq

[@jerryhenker3131]

Kenny I have a GMC van and your missing the heat shield for each plug boot

[@davidlampe4153]

I started wondering what you were going to do once you couldn’t remove plug 2. The corners were cut by the last guy, terrible situation for everyone.

[@jthonn]

I noticed that too.

[@donald1056]

I might say they knew what they were doing with the spark - but didn't give a crap to put it politely

[@steveveness3829]

G'day from West Australia😉 Febuary 2024 equates too 43yrs trade life. Imagine my surprise when changing plugs on a 5.7 and finding someone had used a substance called quick steel to stick a spark plug into head. Showed owner and he went after previous shop for retribution and rectification carried out by me rather than those responsible. I copped a lot of crap from that shop. And many others for operating my business with ethics honesty and integrity. Chin up buddy you have the moral high ground. It helps guys like us sleep well at night.

[@robertlacob8831]

I feel your pain, Kenny!!! All of us old timers have been there more than once! Sometimes you just have step back and punt!

[@fieldsofomagh]

Life ain't easy for a mechanic named sparkplug Sue.

[@georgepaiva7496]

Attack of the assclown mechanic again. Omg Kenny I feel your pain

[@wendwllhickey6426]

Use liquid penetration let it soak and try some heat then spray it again let it soak

[@willclayton9909]

dame parking lot "mechanics" in front of orilleys Im allways telling people NOT to use them but thay want to "save" money

[@johnmadow5331]

Ken: I have Walmart Tire Tech stripped the tread of onr bolt of my front wheel passanger side. The mechanic at Tite place estimate that it will cost $960.00 that require to take the struct and hub along with Aexl to get the bolt out. I went to Cambodian mechanic that he only snap the bolt off and took the tire off replaced the new bolt to the Hub and it cost $128.00 for labor. I have parts that cost $3.57. Another incident during the oil change at Walmart, the tech over tight the oil drain plug and stripped the tread and the whole oil pan must be replaced and it cost $500.00 plus $300.00 part. I brought a new Plug from the dealer cost $10.00 and have it installed at the shop during the oil change.

[@ginog5037]

I'm so sick of hacks, just in the last 4 days. This clown used an impact wrench with maybe the wrong plugs or just ram them in...

[@Pantherman1979]

I'm nothing more than a shade tree mechanic myself, and good god does this smack of incompetence. Spark plugs are something that I NEVER thread in with anything more than the socket (possible extension) by hand; to prevent crap like this. And filling in the area around the spark plug, WTF? And I always make sure that everything goes back in it's place when I'm done; no bent wires/boots, no hoses rubbing anything, nothing looks out of place. Some people really shouldn't be working on vehicles.

[@williamhawkins4326]

I had 05 F150 the number 4 plug was cross threaded and if you’ve ever done a V-8 in a F150 it’s a nightmare if you don’t break it off

[@ewconway]

Oh God, the worst….. having spark plugs that are stripped done by some monkey of a so called mechanic. Complete idiot!! You are correct in pulling the head and unfortunately replacing it. Sucks but gotta be done.

[@JR-bj3uf]

I would like to blame the uninformed and unskilled mechanic but I can't totally lay all the blame at their feet. I have a 1997 Ford F-150 with a 4.2 V6. I have been lucky every time I have changed to plugs to have gotten them out and the new ones in. These engines have a habit of spitting their plugs out with regularity. There is something about the factory that hates us.

[@zaneturner4478]

Aluminum heads are a joke. You have to be super careful about anything you do with the crap.

[@GordonHenderson-g6y]

100% the one that is completely seized will have picked up. I can guarantee they battered it in with an impact gun, and failed to inspect the threads for corrosion before rattling it in. Yes it will go in but they never come out (well they will, but theres probably a ruined part and a string of 4 letter words) I learned that working on forestry hydraulic rams. They come in to get repaired but because one of their guys has "had a go", and failed to clean all the grease sawdust and rust, the fittings will be solid to the point where you need a 24" stilson, oxy-propane, a 6' scaffold bar and a sledge hammer to get them to tear their way out, or crack the cylinder trying. Why i always install threads with a ratchet, and if it doesnt feel right, check it, tidy it, then move on. I never impact them, because if its wrong you wont know till its next due to come out.

[@FixIt1975]

Ugh, what a shit show. The LS does come apart easy, though. Just fyi, there's aluminum collars that should be on those plug wire boots. They are a MUST. That's why the wires are melted. The asshole that worked on it last most likely threw them away. You will have to pull that exhaust manifold off to get at the outer head bolts. I don't know if you've ever had one of these apart before but they are pretty easy. I've had many LS motors apart to do lifters, the 5.3 mostly.

[@Mustangg16]

So you don’t know of it's the same people? Just guessing again

[@SuckIT-2000]

I learned a long time ago fill that spark plug tube with Pb, crack it and let it sit, continue on with the rest of the plugs and going back and keep cracking it loose. Northern to Southern state's and flood vehicles.

[@stephenharvey5932]

I would be afraid that it will drop cuttings in the cylinder and score up cylinder walls.

[@timradde4328]

You should always put a spark plug in by hand at first and make sure it's threading right. You can feel when it's not. Or turn it counter clockwise so it drops in the slot and then tighten it. If it's not tightening easily don't keep tightening it. It's cross threaded.

[@crautoguy8384]

Foam block awesome it's like the little kid at Christmas you get them a big toy just wants to play with the cardboard box that it came in. I have a shop I love radiator boxes I spread out cardboard and lay it on the ground doing under car work better than a creeper. An if get oil or coolant on just though it away beautiful thing. Automotive shops always have a ton of cardboard boxes laying around might as well be using them. learned this doing mobile mechanic stuff for a long time. Keeps peoples Is driveways clean. Keeps us out of the mud and dirt. Recycling at that's finest. and if you ever get a set of wheels and they come with 8 foam pads in between the wheels It's a small things in life.

[@crautoguy8384]

Those LS motors should have those Spring-loaded metal heat Shields. around the spark plug over the end of the wire next to the manifold. Old school trick on g m's it's just to cut the old boot off an old spark plug wire to be used to thread the spark plug in my hand in tight spaces. they didn't bother to put those back on that's a problem GM put them there for that exact reason. That should be the easiest vehicle as far as vans on the whole planet to do spark plugs on what a bunch of hacks. Imagine what these guys do on Triton engines.

[@glowskulls100]

I have just stopped working on other people's scooters here in Wales, people take them to the cheapest of the 2 arse hats in town and then bring them to me because it's not running right. Blocks of wood, wood screws instead of fasteners. I went to help out a customer I sold a Vespa to as a favour as one of them had pulled off the front panel left wires dangling and never come back to finish it. Turns out only needed a fuse. After that I glad only stick to my own scooters now. Good luck and happy new year to you.

[@reddyfreddy]

The worst person to employ is someone whos hard working but dumb.

[@anonymuswere]

whatever this other place is, they must have a "tech" turning wrenches, not an actual mechanic. I've heard gripes about this kind of thing on other channels and in real life. I even know a team that *walked out of a chain shop and formed their own* when the company did something stupid (these guys properly redid all four wheels on a previous vehicle of mine after noticing the contact surfaces were crap, and actually listened to me when I suggested they use penetrant soak while changing out some ancient shocks). they're rare around here. I know half a dozen places in this area alone that have a reputation ranging from national chains to the old skool trained neighbor behind me in tech school who got stuck doing nothing but used engine swaps (I think he got out of it). since I can somehow crossthread bottle caps, I don't try anything myself, but a dearth of competent repair places gets annoying in a state that calls for inspection perfection.

[@freddyAlien-gv3km]

i just did shoty work centerkink like new broke nut with puller now has play joint maybe take up bowling

[@gregarmstrong552]

Shouldn't there be some round heat shields on those plug wires? Someone changed the wires and didn't take the shields off the old boots!

[@hba1copqr699]

More cylinders, More trouble. 😅😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@Taillighttim26]

I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT A MECHANIC EVEN AT THE GAS STATION WOULD WORK FOR ANY SHOP DOING HALF ASS STUFF STUFF LIKE THAT TAKE SOME PRIDE IN YOUR WORK OR STOP MESSING UP PEOPLE'S CARS GO WORK AT WALMART

[@davidcraven277]

Back in the day we ran a 302 ford on a vacuum nose coil to distributor it does run but will bite you removing running

[@stealthg35infiniti94]

There are so many Techs that have no business working on vehicles.

[@oakcliffpride]

God that is so disappointing to have to fix other people trash when they could have done it right or not touch it at all!! But the owners are the ultimately to blame because they always trying to save $$ and hire any dumb ass to do the work

[@donreinholz8121]

Sorry Kenny. They just cost the owner more labor.

[@Tim1963-u6n]

That looks like a champion plug from this angle

[@johngray2472]

This is why i keep harping on people who put plugs drain plugs or any bolt in with power tools start with your fingers first.

[@mph5896]

Wires are missing the metal insulators.

[@rodx5571]

Kenney, I noticed that ls architecture engine didnt have the metal heat shields on the wire ends. I have never seen that style engine without them. I could be wrong, but again i have never seen one without them.

[@GarryFishermusic]

Thanks for the video and wow that “work “ should be a PSA commercial about how to not get your automobile repaired .

[@nathan.brazil780]

Isnt this the one where you already had one head off to repair the spark plugs? If so you should have checked the other side at the same time before you reassembled it. If they messed up one head its a good bet they did it to the other ones as well

[@user-tn1hk6zm2freedom]

I have ran into a lot of thing on vehicles that people have tighten way to tight. Common sense is uncommon.

[@aldonco]

What a fun nightmare. Can you undo the mounts and lift it from the bottom. Getting the head out of that is brutal.

[@Jeffroson78]

Kenny did you ever get another video of part two of this van?

[@nigelterry9299]

Bodgit and Scarper strike again.....

[@larrywillis9589]

You can plug wires with vac hoses

[@haroldbrown1998]

I like your sound affect.

[@toddw.9845]

Kenny Cross threads are better than no threads!

[@Longtrailside]

Hopefully we can get an update on this just rolled in episodei van. I feel your pain on this one.

[@ricebike]

Imagine the pain of that customer who trusted the previous shop/mechanic 😢 now gotta fork over more $$$ to fix it correctly

[@Longtrailside]

@@ricebike MOST likely cheaper to get another used van for what needs to be done to it, sadly enough....

[@alanearnest6040]

Where are the plug wire shields

[@ronaldbradley9949]

I seen someone strip the treads in a small block Chevy head. They then used something similar to JB Weld to hold the plug in. He said he was trading the pickup in soon so it would be someone else's problem next time. This was back in the mid 60s.

[@aldonco]

Come on now that is not nice.

[@ronaldbradley9949]

@@aldonco I know. The guy that done it was a j@!k. He was known for shady dealing.

[@CecilSizemore-e4v]

Jesus Christ what a mess

[@Mustangg16]

KENNY? YOU ARE TELLING ME IN 30 YEARS OF TURNING WRENCHES YOU HAVE NEVER CROSS THREADED ANYTHING... YOU THINK ITS AN ORIGINAL PLUG?

[@ricebike]

He sees it all the time... Just wasn't filming them with a smartphone back in the day

[@donshields4470]

A very tough job!!!

[@johnvanwinkle4351]

Love the videos Kenny! Keep wrenching......grin

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

More to come! Thanks for watching & keep wrenching 🔧

[@campermike8879]

It's always the plug hardest to get to that gets buggered up

[@ricebike]

What surprised me is the easiest access plug was not touched at all😮

[@patricksimmons7449]

sorry Kenny, wow

[@bigguy5155]

pull the engine

[@greggc8088]

"Whoever you are, just please please walk away"-LOL Or tell them Kroger is hiring butchers and the are highly qualified for the job.

[@lespopulorum1512]

I've been watching more of these youtube mechanics and some of them should walk away.

[@randyhammett4467]

Sad you spend more time fixing other so called mechanics' mistakes instead of working on a customer' first time repair. That is why there so few good mechanics left like you because of the high frustration level. Do good work and the business will always be there.

[@mikeschaner5853]

I hate doghouses.. I've actually seen that exact issue with the vacuum line sucking the spark.. had actually caught the line on fire. Crazy stuff. Good show Kenny. Hustle on

[@milfordcivic6755]

Crush this death trap

[@Toolaholic7]

Whoever did that needs to have their tools taken away for good.I seen it with a customer's vehicle last.They bought it at an auction and was a butchered mess.One was a gas line secured to the fuel pump with hose clamps.I was surprised it did not blow off finding this

[@TIREDOFEVIL]

Isn't life grand, as a retired Mechanic, not Technician, also came across my fare share of WTF were these people thinking?

[@bobby9195]

First for me although I did a set of plugs that had 106000 miles on them and was still firing unbelievable

[@bigracer3867]

And this stuff constantly gets worse with lack of qualifications in all trades. Bad future America has in this arena.

[@donames6941]

Had a guy help me one time do valve covers gaskets on a old v8 chevy he broke off 2 of the 1/4-20 bolts i heard the 2nd one he didnt think the first one hurt any thing so he didnt say anything

[@edwardmmanns7454]

I have had vans for 25 years or so. I have always wondered why they don't make it like the cab overs... sorry, I forgot that they don't have to work on what they make.

[@gsarco]

ouch!!!

[@jackattack70]

We call those type of mechanics " fly by night shade tree mechanics ".