Spark plug shot out of #3 cylinder

Hi Everybody!

Long time prowler, first time poster. Gotta thank the community for all the great advice and thorough posts that have helped me with my 260k mile, 2003 V6 4WD Taco over the years. I typically go though the forums for help but I need some advice on this one...

Last week (of course while my friend was driving my truck) the #3 cylinder spit out its spark plug. The final prognosis is still outstanding but should know in a day or two (looking like a heilicoil, hopefully no cylinder wall damage). The cause, as suggested by the tech working on it in a town two hours away, was that the spark plug was loose. Now, I personally replaced the plugs ~20k miles ago and am a competent wrench so I feel pretty good that I did it right, not to mention that had I not it wouldn't have taken this long to prove me wrong (I'm betting). Here's the kicker, I recently (three weeks ago) had the timing belt replaced at a shop I've been frequenting for service the last two years. What I don't know is if the T-belt replacement requires one or all of the spark plugs to be removed to turn the motor to TDC? It seems to me that it would. Additionally, I recall hearing after the t-belt work what I thought at the time was a lifter ticking. My buddy heard the same thing when he got in it that fateful day, a noise that was dramatically amplified when things when pear-shaped.

My dilemma, as a professional who provides a service and is regularly hit with the "you worked on it last" logic when things go awry, how do I address this issue with the shop that did the t-belt swap? If I know that the plugs are normally removed that would help my case (or if not I'll chalk it up to fate). I have no intention of marching in and accusing them of wrongdoing but I do feel that if a mistake was made they should make things right. Unfortunately, with the event occurring so far away the opportunity for them to fix it is off the table (primarily because the guy working on it now is clearly very knowledgeable and has my complete trust. I wish he were in my town!).

I could use some insight on how best to approach the issue with the shop that did the t-belt OR should I just not worry about it and take my service work elsewhere? It's a pricey lesson but sometimes lessons in life aren't cheap.

Thanks in advance everyone, looking forward to your thoughts.

 

Thanks Mad Scientist. I had that exact scenario in mind. I'll stop in a see 'em. Thanks for the insight on the plugs, we'll see.

 

I would call the shop but put it in some form of this I was just doing ( whatever) under the hood and dropped a ( Blank) next to my number 3 cyclinder and when I went to remove the plug cover the plug was a little loose. Did you guys take it out when you did the timing belt ?? If so let the guy know to check the plugs a little better please. They will confirm or say no some automatically say no over the phone so be warned.

Cypher

 

Thanks Cypher. Yeah, may take some subterfuge but I'll see what they say.