Pennock's Fiero Forum
  Technical Discussion & Questions - Archive
  Spark plug help-can't get them loose HELP!!!!

T H I S   I S   A N   A R C H I V E D   T O P I C
  

Email This Page to Someone! | Printable Version


Spark plug help-can't get them loose HELP!!!! by shermdizzle
Started on: 11-27-2007 03:07 PM
Replies: 14
Last post by: Winkie on 11-28-2007 03:53 PM
shermdizzle
Member
Posts: 375
From: Chicago, IL, USA
Registered: Aug 2007


Feedback score: N/A
Leave feedback

Rate this member

Report this Post11-27-2007 03:07 PM Click Here to See the Profile for shermdizzleClick Here to visit shermdizzle's HomePageClick Here to Email shermdizzleSend a Private Message to shermdizzleDirect Link to This Post
so i tried doing it, couldn't do it, thought it was just me

took it to a (waubonsee) communty college (number one auto tech program in the nation) they couldn't get them loose said the car was poorly maintained and they don't wanna strip it

(and thats great saying i was told when i bought the car 3 months ago that the engine was rebuilt with only 60k mi on it, i'm a dumbass)

so, how can i get these suckers loose

or if i took it to a garage would they take care of it for me?

i was told 65 bucks by one garage to change my wires and plugs, but is that price gonna skyrocket if they strip a plug, or can they not do that

HELP!!!!
IP: Logged
PFF
System Bot
wftb
Member
Posts: 3692
From: kincardine,ontario,canada
Registered: Jun 2005


Feedback score: (4)
Leave feedback

Rate this member

Report this Post11-27-2007 03:21 PM Click Here to See the Profile for wftbClick Here to Email wftbSend a Private Message to wftbDirect Link to This Post
modern spark plugs last a long time . if the engine is running ok , just leave them alone and drive the car the way it is .fix em with a motor swap when that engine dies .
IP: Logged
Synthesis
Member
Posts: 12207
From: Jordan, MN
Registered: Feb 2002


Feedback score:    (19)
Leave feedback





Total ratings: 295
Rate this member

Report this Post11-27-2007 03:22 PM Click Here to See the Profile for SynthesisSend a Private Message to SynthesisDirect Link to This Post
Buy a can of PB Blaster. Soak the plugs down a LOT. Make sure that there is no sludge or dirt around the plug.
You want a good pool of the stuff sitting down there in the plug recess.

Leave it sit for several hours that way.

I have also started and run a car until the heads had warmed up pretty good, and then pulled the plugs that way. Once the engine reaches temp, the heads expand, and you should be able to gently pull the plugs...

Do NOT try that last one on Aluminum heads.
IP: Logged
Pyrthian
Member
Posts: 29569
From: Detroit, MI
Registered: Jul 2002


Feedback score: (5)
Leave feedback





Total ratings: 342
Rate this member

Report this Post11-27-2007 03:26 PM Click Here to See the Profile for PyrthianClick Here to Email PyrthianSend a Private Message to PyrthianDirect Link to This Post
the spark plugs do sit in pockets, so it is easy to soak them with PB Blaster/WD-40/whatever you choose.

but - overall - only 2 choices - leave 'em OR try to get 'em out. its rare to strip them. but, it is a nightmare if you do.

just make sure the socket is fully on & square, get a nice breaker bar on, and heave-ho.
IP: Logged
rogergarrison
Member
Posts: 49601
From: A Western Caribbean Island/ Columbus, Ohio
Registered: Apr 99


Feedback score: N/A
Leave feedback





Total ratings: 551
Rate this member

Report this Post11-27-2007 03:32 PM Click Here to See the Profile for rogergarrisonClick Here to Email rogergarrisonSend a Private Message to rogergarrisonDirect Link to This Post
Yea, soak em even overnite with PB. Ive seen some you could break loose by moving them tighter slightly first, then backing them out. Most important is make sure you got a good 6 point socket and its on fully and straight before you pull. If the plug itself breaks, its a PITA, but still doable getting the remains out.
IP: Logged
Ace McCloud
Member
Posts: 167
From: Marble Hill, Missouri, United States
Registered: Jul 2007


Feedback score: N/A
Leave feedback

Rate this member

Report this Post11-27-2007 03:34 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Ace McCloudSend a Private Message to Ace McCloudDirect Link to This Post
get a big pipe and put it on the end of your wrench they should next to fall off.
IP: Logged
Dizzixx
Member
Posts: 1467
From: Salt Lake, Utah, United States
Registered: Oct 2005


Feedback score: (3)
Leave feedback

Rate this member

Report this Post11-27-2007 03:37 PM Click Here to See the Profile for DizzixxClick Here to Email DizzixxSend a Private Message to DizzixxDirect Link to This Post
If its running fine then I suggest you just leave them. I had a stubborn O2 sensor and fought with it for a few hours trying to get it out, ended up stripping the socket, I had to take off the exhaust manifold and then weld a nut on it. Cast Iron is not fun to tap new threads into. It ended up working out but would have been less trouble to not mess with.
IP: Logged
Pyrthian
Member
Posts: 29569
From: Detroit, MI
Registered: Jul 2002


Feedback score: (5)
Leave feedback





Total ratings: 342
Rate this member

Report this Post11-27-2007 03:42 PM Click Here to See the Profile for PyrthianClick Here to Email PyrthianSend a Private Message to PyrthianDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by Ace McCloud:

get a big pipe and put it on the end of your wrench they should next to fall off.


my favorite "ratchet" extension is using the top half of my floor jack shaft. I lost the screw that holds the 2 together, so its just sitting there anyways. slides right over the ratchet handle nicely.
IP: Logged
Pyrthian
Member
Posts: 29569
From: Detroit, MI
Registered: Jul 2002


Feedback score: (5)
Leave feedback





Total ratings: 342
Rate this member

Report this Post11-27-2007 03:44 PM Click Here to See the Profile for PyrthianClick Here to Email PyrthianSend a Private Message to PyrthianDirect Link to This Post

Pyrthian

29569 posts
Member since Jul 2002
 
quote
Originally posted by Dizzixx:

If its running fine then I suggest you just leave them. I had a stubborn O2 sensor and fought with it for a few hours trying to get it out, ended up stripping the socket, I had to take off the exhaust manifold and then weld a nut on it. Cast Iron is not fun to tap new threads into. It ended up working out but would have been less trouble to not mess with.


O2 sensors are TOUGH. the only way I've found thats reliable, is to take them out when they exhaust is HOT. right after shutting down.

which makes Synthesis's idea a very good one too. but, the rear ones are gonna burn ya if you try this.
IP: Logged
AutoTech
Member
Posts: 2385
From: St. Charles, Illinois
Registered: Aug 2004


Feedback score:    (7)
Leave feedback





Total ratings: 109
Rate this member

Report this Post11-27-2007 04:05 PM Click Here to See the Profile for AutoTechClick Here to Email AutoTechSend a Private Message to AutoTechDirect Link to This Post
You want to try to remove them while the engine is still warm. Let the car warm up, drive it a couple of miles and remove the plugs directly after. The idea behind this is that, as the heads get hotter, they will expand - hopefully enlarging the plug hole just enough to be able to break them loose without any damage.

Carefull - things will be hot!
IP: Logged
avengador1
Member
Posts: 35467
From: Orlando, Florida
Registered: Oct 2001


Feedback score:    (7)
Leave feedback





Total ratings: 571
Rate this member

Report this Post11-27-2007 06:12 PM Click Here to See the Profile for avengador1Click Here to Email avengador1Send a Private Message to avengador1Direct Link to This Post
If you do get them out, make sure you apply some anti-seize compound on the new ones before you install them. It will make taking them out a lot easier the next time.

[This message has been edited by avengador1 (edited 11-27-2007).]

IP: Logged
PFF
System Bot
James Bond 007
Member
Posts: 8853
From: California.U.S.A.
Registered: Dec 2002


Feedback score: (1)
Leave feedback





Total ratings: 263
Rate this member

Report this Post11-27-2007 07:41 PM Click Here to See the Profile for James Bond 007Send a Private Message to James Bond 007Direct Link to This Post
Which ones are you haveing trouble with?Use a breaker bar on the easy ones (V6) closest to you.Don't worrie if you brake the porcilan head off,you can still get them out.As for the side under the window,it's a little more difficult,because your working in reverse,so your going to have to stand in the trunk and lean over the engine.It might help if you wear gloves so you don't end up with a knucle buster.An easey way to rember,which way to turn is...Righty Tighty...Lefty Loosey.

[This message has been edited by James Bond 007 (edited 11-27-2007).]

IP: Logged
Old Lar
Member
Posts: 13793
From: Palm Bay, Florida
Registered: Nov 1999


Feedback score: N/A
Leave feedback





Total ratings: 214
Rate this member

Report this Post11-27-2007 08:22 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Old LarSend a Private Message to Old LarDirect Link to This Post
After 50K miles and eight years, I took about three weeks to get the plugs out on my 88. Lots of PB blaster and other penetrating oils. The let them sit, more oil and time. The ones on the firewall side were the hardest. I removed the deck lid and climbed into the trunk to reach those plugs. I never put too much torque on them as I didn't want to snap anything. They did finally come out and when replaced I used anti sieze compound on the threads.
IP: Logged
Matthew_Fiero
Member
Posts: 2762
From: Winnipeg,Manitoba,Canada
Registered: Aug 2001


Feedback score: (1)
Leave feedback

Rate this member

Report this Post11-28-2007 02:12 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Matthew_FieroClick Here to Email Matthew_FieroSend a Private Message to Matthew_FieroDirect Link to This Post
Its sooo much easier lying under the car to get to the plugs under the back window. That way they are the right way.

To gain more access (depending how old your engine bushings are) you can get a ratcheting bar clamp, and put one end in the space at the upper intake, and the other side in the trunk, then ratchet and the engine will pull to the back, maybe even enough to significantly make a difference.

REMOVE THE DOGBONE BEFORE DOING THIS

Like I said about the busings, I tried it once on a car with a brand new engine mount, and it only moved an inch.
IP: Logged
Winkie
Member
Posts: 1159
From: bangor, PA
Registered: Feb 2007


Feedback score: (4)
Leave feedback

Rate this member

Report this Post11-28-2007 03:53 PM Click Here to See the Profile for WinkieClick Here to visit Winkie's HomePageSend a Private Message to WinkieDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by wftb:

modern spark plugs last a long time . if the engine is running ok , just leave them alone and drive the car the way it is .fix em with a motor swap when that engine dies .


Exactly what I'm doing in a few weeks.

Ryan
IP: Logged



All times are ET (US)

T H I S   I S   A N   A R C H I V E D   T O P I C
  

Contact Us | Back To Main Page

Advertizing on PFF | Fiero Parts Vendors
PFF Merchandise | Fiero Gallery | Ogre's Cave
Real-Time Chat | Fiero Related Auctions on eBay



Copyright (c) 1999, C. Pennock