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jason_carlton26

Did changing my spark plug break my engine?

Uh oh :-(


I needed a new air filter for my Murray riding mower (Briggs & Straton engine), so I got a mower tune up kit on Amazon:


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MLJY2V7/


I also bought a new fuel line. I have no clue where the oil filter is on this engine, but I changed everything else yesterday, no problem.


Today I go out to use the mower, and it doesn't start. It turns but doesn't catch... so, spark plug, right?


I pull out the new spark plug and see that the threads have gas on them, and the side electrode is pushed up against the center electrode and kinda slipped off the side. As if they were mashed together.


Then I see dripping coming from underneath the motor. Gas!!! I checked the fuel line everywhere and it's dry as a bone, so it's definitely coming from somewhere under the engine cover.


Uh oh.


I pulled out the old spark plug, and I see that the threads on the new one are quite a bit longer than the old one, so when I screwed it in I guess I went about 1/4" (or more) deeper than the original, ran it in to whatever's behind the spark plug, and didn't know it so I just screwed it on it until it stopped.


FWIW, I've always changed spark plugs the same way: screw it in until it's snug, then give it about 1/4 turn to tighten it in.


I ran out of daylight so I couldn't look any further, but... have I busted my engine by changing the spark plug? :-O

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