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I have something I've never come across before. I pulled the engine in my 81 4x4 luv ('79 engine) to change the oilpan gasket. Hooked it up to my engine stand and rotated it upside down to change the gasket. Re-inserted engine and after I fired it up I noted a metal-to-metal slapping sound that disturbed me greatly. Also noticed that the engine sounded like it was only running on 3 cylinders. Checked the spark plug wires and when I checked the spark plugs I came across my "problem". The 3rd cylinder spark plug was closed shut and marks on the tip showed that some force of deliberate engine nature forced it that way. I didn't think that the piston and / or valves could come in contact with the spark plug to cause this kind of damage, so I'd like to hear from you guys to see what the deuce could be my problem. Oh yeah... The engine was running just fine before I swapped out the oilpan gasket..... all 4 cylinders and such. heheh Thanks a ton!!

I wish that I could help you with it, but its not really me expertise. But all the same, Good Luck!

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1980 Chevrolet LUV stock 1.8L longbed
1980 Chevrolet LUV parts truck shortbed
1983 Suzuki Gs550 Sportsman
1989 Nissan King cab P/u <totalled> 4/1/06
1986 Full size Chevy P/U
1993 Volvo 850 GTL

I can't think of any reason for it to do something like that just out of the blue, but I have a guess or two.

1) With the motor spun upside down, something could have fallen into the exhaust manifold, and found its way into that cylinder if the valve was open. You fire it up and bang. Could have been a small nut/bolt, could have been some crud build up from the exhaust.

2) Carbon deposits, a bit chunk decided to come loose from the top of the piston or the chamber and hit the plug while it was being obliterated.

3) Too long of reach on the plug? Unless you have one mismatched plug in there though, I'd think they would all do it.

The reach on the plug shouldn't be the issue, same plug that it's been running with for a long time now. Options 1 and 2 seem like the most plausible and likely causes. Guess it's head dismantling time now. Thanks for the suggestions!!

It would have to be something like that, or worse. I can think of several catastrophic engine failure scenerios that could cause that. Most of them would be things you would have spotted with the pan off though. Good luck, hope it is something simple and easily repaired.

Well, popped off the head today and found a little metal gizmo in the 3rd cylinder. dinged up the top of the piston and marred up the head a bit, but wasn't too catastrophic. Back up and running though, woot!! Thanks for the suggestions guys. Hope mystery metals can keep themselves out of the cylinders from here on out.