need help replacing spark plugs (1 Viewer)

[gatorfj80]

ok here is the deal, i took everything out of the way cover, plug, cables and when i tried to take out the #1 spark plug it wont come out it seems to be stuck cuz eather way that i tried to make the spark plug lose it will get tighter .... plz help what can i do?

 

[Timpanogos Slim]

Does not make sense. Lefty-loosey should work. What wrench are you using?

 

[newbtrayback]

I had the same problem with #6 nearest the firewall....that was my white whale. I literally had to alternate between a tap and a little carefully placed PB Blaster over the course of two weeks before it finally loosened up. The plug looked to be original

 

[Tapage]

pull 'em it's the easy part .. are you using spark plug socket ? ( with the rubber thingy to gram 'em ? )

 

[BlackLS1]

is this a 3FE or 1FZ? if the plug feels tighter as you loosen it use lots on lube on the threads and keep alternating between going clockwise and counter clockwise rotation to loosen up the threads.

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

Engine hot or cold?

 

[newbtrayback]

I used the spark plug tool with the rubber "THINGY" and even tried spraying a little compressed air in a can turned on it's side aimed right up against the plug thread to get a "freezing" affect on a hot engine then on a cold engine. I was too lazy to break it out. I just kept at it for about two weeks here and there with the PB Blaster soak and eventually came out.

 

[dontblink]

I had the same issue with my 1FZ.

I just kept turning until the plug came out.

 

[Timpanogos Slim]

And may this remind you to use anti-seize when you install the new plugs.

 

[newbtrayback]

Amen to that!

 

[Alleycats]

1. Spark plug is not reverse thread so lefty loosey will remove it.

2. Hope it's not cross threaded.

3. Try removing it when the engine is at operating temp.

4. When all else fails grab a bigger ratchet for more leverage.

5. Be patient.

Good luck.

 

[MARLIN375]

My #6 had a seeping tube seal, the oil sat around the base of the plug and worked its way down the plug threads forming a really nasty hard baked kind of creosote.....I could not get it out, it felt like I was going to strip it. I tightened it back up and left it (theylast a long time anyhow) thank god my head gasket failed 10k later.....unrelated. The machine shop got it out.

CHECK YOUR TUBE SEALS GUYS this could happen to you. If they are leaking (you have an oil line around your plug) then at the very least buy a thread chaser and cut the crud out of the threads before you run in your new plugs.

Newtrayback's course of action is about all you can do, ideally back it out at least one turn if you can then shoot some Lloyds Moovit in there and leave it for a week. Turn it in and out everynight to speed things along.

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

4. When all else fails grab a bigger ratchet for more leverage.

Good luck.

Careful there, I twisted one off on another car.

 

[BlackLS1]

these are aluminum head engines so be very careful

 

[Kernal]

GatorFJ80: try Kroil spray if you can find it, much better IME than PBB. Hope it's not crossthreaded.

 

[Delancy]

Careful there, I twisted one off on another car.

Have a E-350 van running an oversized plug from a similar occurrence, at the hands of one of my guys.

Hate to suggest anything other than doing it yourself and I'm not trying to sound condescending, but if questioning the direction a plug is turned to remove, may seek the assistance of a local, or take to a shop.

It's an affair to repair if stripped or broken.

 

[dontblink]

Have a E-350 van running an oversized plug from a similar occurrence, at the hands of one of my guys.

Hate to suggest anything other than doing it yourself and I'm not trying to sound condescending, but if questioning the direction a plug is turned to remove, may seek the assistance of a local, or take to a shop.

It's an affair to repair if stripped or broken.

Delancy, I have to respectfully disagree here.

I've been wrenching around on cars for almost 20 years and last week was the first time I had experienced a spark plug actually getting tighter before it became loose.

I felt like I was in an episode of the Twilight zone before the thing came out!

While I agree that having to get your car towed to an engine machine shop, getting the plug drilled out and the block heli-coiled is a bitch, I think that gatorfj80 just needs some guidance here.

gator, I take no responsibility if you break the spark plug while trying to remove it








Go Noles!

 

[Delancy]

I have to respectfully disagree here.

There's no fun in that! This is Mud!

Hahaha.

I read the second post on the thread, insinuating the the direction the plug loosens was in question ("lefty loosey" was used) and made an incorrect assumption it was by the OP.

My point, if you don't know which way to loosen the spark plug, probably time to seek the professional help of a mechanic.

Obviously irrelevant, in retrospect, and I respectfully apologize.

 

[gatorfj80]

thanks you guys for the feedback and helped provided ill try it again tomo when i have some time, im really thanks full.

 

[IdahoDoug]

Gator,

Treat this with serious respect. If you simply wrench it out, you are very likely to damage the threads. You don't describe how far you've moved it, but if it has been turned out a half revolution or so it will give a quality penetrating oil enough gap to get down in those threads. DON"T just put oil or WD40 down there. Once you've done that, you will no longer be able to get true penetrating oil down there - the oil will fill the available gaps.

So. Use the straw thing on a can of PB Blaster, or Kroil (my two favorites) to spray directly at the joint where the plug meets the head. Not too hard as gravity will get it in there if you are close and liberal with the spray. Wait a couple hours and if you really want this to go well use a socket extension or brass drift to tap on the spark plug metal tip gently but repeatedly for 30 taps every 15 minutes. Then spray again and turn the plug BACK IN and wait 15 minutes. Turn it out to where you got it the first time. Spray again, then turn it BACK IN and wait 15 minutes. Repeat and you will be slowly distributing the thin penetrating oil deeper and deeper into the threads. After the third repeat, turn the plug out a half revolution more than before and from then on turn it out an additional half turn so you are making progress withdrawing the plug.

If you simply wrench it out, a process called "galling" will have you smearing aluminum onto the plug threads - building up their size and making the plug impossible to get out without serious damage.

DougM