Ok you uber-SS/SC guys I need some help....
So changing my spark plugs the other day I get to #3 it's kinda hard coming out.
So I get it out...SURPRISE it's got a helicoil attatched to it. Now before this my car went from sounding normal to a more throaty exhaust sound hence why I decided to change plugs.
I end up just screwing the damn thing back in and the sound is back to normal, but I don't trust it.

Called a mechanic friend he said get another helicoil stick some jbweld on it screw it in let it set a day
then put your plug in, and hope all is well.

I Called a dealer they say they can put something better then a helicoil in, it's called a
TimeCert?

Anyway they say there is no gurentee and will cost $300 ..depends on what has been done so far.

Of course if neither works then it's a new head for me....

So a couple of questions...
1. Anyone have any dealings with this TimeCert?
2. What are the odds of either of these working?
3. Where to get a new head and how much do they run?


Thanks guys I appreciate it!

This is not the kind of surprise that I like to recieve

 

I've never heard of a time-cert.

But I would trust the helicoil. If it's back to normal forget about it and hope for the best. I stipped my head recently and that will be my fix/

 

Yeah I have never heard of it either, they said they drill it out, put in this sleve and adhere it to the head let it set and seal and it's as good as new, doesn't sound much different then a helicoil in my book but they said it was.
It doesn't thread in atleast from what it sounded like, it is more like a incert.

 

You know the engine has to be COLD (as in has been sitting all night and not started) before you can remove the plugs, right?

 

The car was setting for 2 days before I changed them. So that couldn't have been a factor...

Not to mention it sux to buy a car and 5 months later find something like this out lol.

Any other help guys?

 

Ok so I went looking for a helicoil today...
No one seems to carry one the lenth of our plugs...
anyone know anywhere that does?

 

Ya a timecert basically replaces the material which was removed, its pretty commonly used just not as popular as a heli-coil

 

Well my car is going to vandergriff chevy in the morning for a timesert wish me luck.....
after reviewing the specs on timeserts they seem like a much more perminant fix with not much of a failure chance..

 

I do mine cold or hot. Don't matter to me

 

motors are going cheap, check a local junkyard...buddy just picked up an LSJ for $300(supercharger was dmged) but the motor was fine

 

i had that same problem with a 87 z24 it didn't last very long best of luck

 

So I called and they said that everything went smoothly and it's all back together they want to keep it over night to make sure everything sets and seals so i can pick it up in the morning

 

Time-Serts are the way to go, they arent just a coil like a Helicoil, they are a complete piece of material(imagine a bolt with a threaded hole on the middle for another bolt to go into), its the GM recommended thread repair method, its actually stronger than the original joint in most applications. The reason they are less common than HeliCoils is because they are more expensive, the Time-Sert itself is more expensive than a Helicoil and theres also dedicated tools that go with it, not some plastic can opener like a HeliCoil, LOL. I love Time-Serts.

 

yeah i went to the time-sert website and the videos are what made my decision!
Looks like a quality product.