Temperature heat sensor blowing off and spark plugs?

BDUNKLEY

MEMBER
2008 FORD FOCUS
2.0L
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
156,000 MILES

Hi there,

My son started his car yesterday morning and it sounded awful. We narrowed it down to this heat sensor. We replaced the sensor but the little rubber boot at the top just keeps blowing off every time we start the car. I did some more research and found that faulty spark plugs and wires could also be part of the problem. I went and bough plugs and wires and got three plugs switched out very easily, but the fourth one just won't screw in. At first it feels like it’s screwing in, but I cannot get it to go. Also, when I took the old plugs out this same spark plug was not tight at all. So, what I am wondering is if there is a way or something I can do to get this tightened down. I would imagine that I am losing power if the spark plug is not tightened down.
Any Ideas?
Thanks Brent

1 Reply

MATHGEN

MECHANIC
128 POSTS

Which spark plug is the one that is giving you trouble? I am guessing it is #2 or#3. If a spark plug is not fully seated, it will allow combustion gases to blow past the threads. In this case, it could very easily blow the boot of off the temperature sensor as those spark plugs are right next to it. Did you inspect the threads on the plug that has the issue? If there are aluminum deposits or if the threads appear stripped, then there is the possibility of cylinder head damage.